Earlier this week the University of Waterloo experienced a hate motivated, violent incident on campus, where a professor and two students were stabbed by another member of their university community. All three victims have received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The attack took place during a Philosophy 202 – Gender Studies class and is considered a disturbing act of gender-based violence.

The Mount Allison community stands united against gender-based violence and all other forms of hatred and bigotry and our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by this serious incident at the University of Waterloo. While news of this attack affects us all, this type of attack will likely disproportionately impact members of our community who identify as Two-Spirit, transgender, non-binary, queer, gender non-conforming, and women — particularly at the end of Pride Month. We encourage everyone to take the space you need and access available support.

Multi-Faith Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator Ellie Hummel is available for those who would like to talk or need a listening ear. She can be contacted at ehummel@mta.ca.

Students can access 24/7 support by calling Trans Lifeline at 1-877-330-6366, Student Wellness at 1-833-549-3281, or CHIMO at 1-800-667-5005. External counselling is also available through Breelove Counselling, Iris Counselling and Consulting, and Little Cabin Counselling, which offer direct billing through MASU Health Benefits.

Employees can access counselling support through the University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — LiveWorks — 1-844-880-9142. 

Additional supports at Mount Allison for those affected by gender-based violence:

• Sexualized Violence Response Consultant — Jade Lister (she/her) – jlister@mta.ca.ca/506-224-0269 (cell)/ 506-939-0992 (office)
• Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Co-ordinator — Tasia Alexopoulos (she/her) talexopoulos@mta.ca/(506) 364-2613
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Advisor — Lucy Ofori (she/her) lofori@mta.ca/(506) 364-2255

Take care of yourselves and each other.
 
Jeffrey J. Hennessy, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President, Academic and Research