WE ARE McGILL

We are McGill
On September 20, 2011, Provost Anthony Masi and Vice-Principal Michael di Grappa issued a
communiqué concerning classes being held off-campus during the MUNACA strike. This followed an
incident a week earlier in which a McGill professor was threatened with suspension for carrying out her
academic duties by teaching off-campus so that she and her students would not have to cross the
MUNACA picket line. The message from the Provost and the Vice-Principal was clearly intended to
justify this threat in the eyes of the McGill community, and to intimidate other faculty members who
might be contemplating similar action in support of their MUNACA co-workers.
In presuming to express “McGill’s position” on this issue – as if the senior Administration were identical
with the University—the Provost and the Vice-Principal selectively invoked regulations which they
interpreted as requiring that academic duties be performed on campus. They also suggested that
professors who teach off-campus during the strike are failing in their obligation to students by
inconveniencing them and exposing them to unsafe learning conditions.
We reject all of this.
Teaching off-campus during strikes is a practice with a long and noble history at North American
universities, one that allows faculty members and students to respect their co-workers, and their own
consciences, while still meeting their obligations to each other. The Administration’s aggressive
disregard for the integrity of this practice displays the very same lack of respect for the University’s
diverse constituents that has characterized its treatment of McGill’s unionized support staff.
We, the undersigned, call for the immediate removal of the threat of suspension against professors who
teach their classes elsewhere while the campus is being struck and picketed. Our commitment to our
students demands more than providing for their immediate convenience; it requires that we also
commit to each other to protect the university as a space free of arbitrary authority and coercion.
We are members of the McGill community who believe in academic freedom, freedom of conscience,
decent working conditions and fair compensation for everyone who works at the University. We respect
the dignity of our co-workers. We believe in collegial governance. We are McGill.
Nous Sommes McGill
Le 20 septembre 2011, le Vice-principal exécutif Anthony Masi et le Vice-principal (administration et
finances) Michael di Grappa ont émis un communiqué concernant les classes qui ont lieu hors-campus
pendant la grève de MUNACA. Ce communiqué est intervenu à la suite d’un incident survenu la semaine
précédente à la suite duquel une professeure a été menacée de suspension pour avoir exercé ses tâches
universitaires en enseignant hors du campus afin qu’elle et ses étudiant(e)s ne se trouvent pas dans
l’obligation de franchir le piquet de grève de MUNACA.
Le communiqué du Vice-principal exécutif et du Vice-principal (administration et finances) visait
clairement d’une part à justifier cette menace auprès de la communauté de McGill mais aussi d’autre
part à intimider d’autres membres du corps enseignant qui seraient tentés de suivre ce type d’action
pour soutenir l’action de leurs collègues de MUNACA.
Prétendant exprimer « le point de vue de McGill » – comme si le point de vue des responsables
administratifs était celui de l’Université dans son ensemble – le Vice-principal exécutif et le Viceprincipal (administration et finances) ont fait appel de manière sélective à des dispositions
règlementaires interprétées comme nécessitant que les tâches universitaires aient lieu obligatoirement
sur le campus. Ils ont aussi insinué que les professeur(e)s enseignant en dehors du campus pendant la
grève manquaient à leurs devoirs envers les étudiant(e)s en leurs créant des désagréments et en les
exposant à des conditions d’apprentissage potentiellement dangereuses.
Nous rejetons l’ensemble de ces affirmations.
Enseigner hors-campus lors des grèves est une ancienne et noble tradition des universités nordaméricaines. C’est une tradition qui permet au corps professoral et aux étudiant(e)s de montrer leur
respect envers les autres travailleurs et travailleuses mais aussi de respecter leur conscience tout en
remplissant leurs obligations mutuelles.
De la part de l’administration, le rejet agressif du maintien de cette tradition témoigne du même
manque de respect envers les différents groupes qui forment McGill que celui démontré envers le
personnel de soutien syndiqué.
Nous, les soussignés appelons au retrait immédiat de la menace de suspension à l’encontre des
professeur(e)s assurant leurs cours hors-campus pendant la grève qui touche le campus. Notre
engagement envers nos étudiant(e)s va au-delà de répondre à leur simple confort; il requiert aussi notre
engagement réciproque afin de défendre l’université comme un espace exempt d’autorité et de
coercition arbitraires.
Nous sommes des membres de la communauté de McGill qui croient à la liberté universitaire, à la
liberté de conscience, à des conditions de travail décentes et à une juste rétribution pour tous ceux et
toutes celles qui travaillent à l’université. Nous respectons la dignité de ceux et celles qui travaillent avec
nous. Nous croyons en une gouvernance collégiale. Nous sommes McGill. (Traduction: Thierry Battut)
McGill Community Signatories (248 Signatures)
1. David Hensley, Associate Professor, English, McGill University
2. Bruce Reed, Professor, Canada Research Chair and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada,
Department of Computer Science
3. Anthony Paré, Professor, Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University
4. Alison Laywine, Associate Professor, Philosophy, McGill University
5. Michelle Hartman, Associate Professor, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University
6. Abby Lippman, Professor Emerita, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Occupational Health
7. Adrienne Hurley, Assistant Professor, East Asian Studies, McGill University
8. Alanna Thain, Assistant Professor, English, McGill University
9. Darin Barney, Associate Professor, Art History & Communication Studies, McGill University
10. Calvin Normore, Macdonald Professor of Moral Philosophy, Philosophy, McGill University
11. Kristin Norget, Associate Professor, Anthropology, McGill University
12. Sam Noumoff, (Retired), Political Science, McGill University
13. Aziz Choudry, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University
14. Alia Al-Saji, Associate Professor, Philosophy, McGill University
15. Victor Fan, Associate Professor, East Asian Studies, McGill University
16. Amelia Jones, Professor, Art History & Communication Studies, McGill University
17. Derek Nystrom, Associate Professor, English, McGill University
18. William Clare Roberts, Assistant Professor, Political Science, McGill University
19. Narendra Subramanian, Associate Professor, Political Science, McGill University
20. Stephen Menn, Associate Professor, Philosophy, McGill University
21. Steven Jordan, Chair, Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University
22. Becky Lentz, Assistant Professor, Art History & Communication Studies, McGill University
23. Thomas Lamarre, James McGill Professor, East Asian Studies, McGill University
24. Tamara Sandor, MA2 English, McGill University
25. Mela Sarkar, Associate Professor, Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University
26. Desmond Manderson, Professor, Law, McGill University
27. Felix Johnston, U1 English Literature, McGill University
28. Seu Na Park, U3 Arts, McGill University
29. Stephen Peters, PhD 2 Educational Studies, McGill University
30. Abigail Mooney, MA1 English, McGill University
31. Evan Fox-Decent, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, McGill University
32. Dirk Schlimm, Assistant Professor, Philosophy, McGill University
33. Emann Allebban, PhD candidate, Philosophy, McGill University
34. Rafico Ruiz, PhD 5, Communication Studies, McGill University
35. Thierry Battut, MA2, Department of Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University
36. Paulina Mickiewicz, PhD 6, Communication Studies, McGill University
37. Ian Gold, Canada Research Chair in Philosophy and Psychiatry, McGill University
38. Gregory M. Mikkelson, Associate Professor, Philosophy, McGill University
39. Klara du Plessis, MA2, English Literature McGill University
40. Hussam Eldin Ahmed, PhD 2, History
41. Margaret Allen, Library Assistant, McLennan Library
42. Amy Alt, Technician, Medical Simulation Centre
43. Alexander Anderson, PhD 4, Philosophy
44. Kirsten Anker, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law
45. Lucy Armstrong, B.A. '10 English
46. Fariduddin Attar, MA, Islamic Studies
47. Nicholas Barber, PhD 3, Anthropology
48. Ingrid Bejerman, PhD student, AHCS
49. Caroline Bem, PhD4, Art History and Communication Studies
50. Adelle Blackett, Associate Professor and William Dawson Scholar, Faculty of Law
51. Alexandra Blair, U3 Arts, Environmental Studies Major
52. Lara Bober, PhD student, Faculty of Education (DISE)
53. Dana Broadbent, PhD Candidate, Art History
54. Jenny Burman, Associate Professor, AHCS
55. Fred Burrill, Bachelor of Arts, McGill '10
56. David Chabot, PhD4, Philosophy
57. Marie-Andrée Champoux, U2, Joint-Honours Philosophy/French Lit
58. Miriam Clouthier, 1L, Faculty of Law, and BA ‘09
59. Maureen Coote, Graduate Administrative Coordinator, AHCS
60. Cassandra Cotton, PhD3, Dept. of Sociology
61. Melanie Coughlin PhD3, Department of Philosophy
62. Jonathan Cushing, PhD2, English
63. Peter Davoust, U2, Dept. of Computer Science
64. Emery Dalys Fine, U1, English Major
65. Patrick DeDauw, BA Honours, Dept. of English
66. Marc Ducusin, PhD student, English
67. Trent Eady, U1, Philosophy major
68. Heather Empy, MA ‘03
69. Anna Ezekiel, PhD 7, Philosophy
70. Samantha (Sami) Fink, U3, Anthropology major
71. Megan Fitzgibbons, Liaison Librarian, Education Library & Curriculum Resources Centre
72. Luis Fontes, PhD 6, Philosophy
73. Zoe Forest-Cooter, U3, Classics major
74. Maria Forti, B.A. ‘09
75. Karl Fousek, PhD, AHCS
76. Carol Fraser, U3, German and East Asian Studies
77. Grover Furr, B.A., ‘65
78. Brendan Gaffney, B.A. Honours, East Asian Studies
79. Jason Grand, MA English
80. Mark Grant, Arts Technician, Network and Desktop Services, IT Customer Services (ICS)
81. Amber Gross, U2, Faculty of Arts
82. Maeve Haldane, former editor of the McGill Reporter
83. John-Erik Hansson, U3, Political Science (honours)Asia Harvey, G2, Art History
84. David Howden, Theatre Technician, Moyse Hall
85. Sandra Hyde, Associate Professor, Anthropology
86. Kathryn Kalemkerian, PhD candidate, Institute of Islamic Studies
87. Hadi Karsoho, PhD student, Dept. of Sociology
88. Eliana Kaufman, U3, Middle East Studies major
89. Sophia Kehler, U4 Environment and African Studies
90. Steve Eldon Kerr, U3, English
91. Gretchen King, PhD2, AHCS
92. David Kingsland, MacDonald Campus Library
93. Gayatri Kumar, McGill (no other identification)
94. Matthias Lalisse, Bachelors and Masters Alumnus, English
95. Nathaniel Laywine, PhD 2, AHCS
96. Roxane Le Corre, U3, English major
97. Grace Lei, U2, Physics and Education major
98. Debbie Lunny, McGill Alum ‘86
99. Galen Macdonald, U3, Geography
100.
Jamie MacLean, B.A. student, U3 English Literature and Political Science
101.
Jane McAslan, Senior Access Services Clerk, Humanities and Social Sciences Library
102.
Elise McClay, BA student, class of 2012
103.
Hannah McElgunn, MA Candidate, Communication Studies
104.
Amy Monroe, U3, Middle East Studies and Neuroscience
105.
Evan Montpellier, BA ‘06
106.
Sheehan Moore, U2, Honours Anthropology
107.
Kristin Moriah, MA 2007, English Literature
108.
Maryanne Mutch, MA2, Political Science
109.
Ann Nagribianko, McGill University Bookstore, Customer Service Clerk
110.
Holly Nazar, Development Studies '07
111.
Norman Nadeau, Libraries Technician, Network and Desktop Services (ICS)
112.
Matthew Nobel-Olson, MA ’08, AHCS
113.
Jonathan Noel, MSc (1st year) Mathematics
114.
Brodie Noga, MA, Dept. of Anthropology
115.
Chloe O’Connor, U3, Middle East Studies and Linguistics
116.
Ieva Paberzyte, PhD student, Anthropology
117.
Emir Parrotta, B.A. in English Literature from McGill, 2010
118.
Jacob Parry, B.A. student, Political Science and History
119.
Megan Paslawski, English BA '05, MA '09
120.
Joël Pedneault, Vice-Pres. (External), Students’ Society of McGill Univ., History student.
121.
Jennifer Pineo-Dunn, McGill student (no other ID)
122.
Lilian Radovac, PhD student, AHCS
123.
Shama Rangwala, BA, MA English
124.
Robin Reid-Fraser, U2 Environment.
125.
Stephen Reimer, U0, Freshman Arts Program
126.
Matthew Rettino, U2, English major
127.
Fiona Ritchie, Assistant Professor, English
128.
Samuel Rose, U3, Political Science
129.
Jarrett Rudy, Associate Professor, Dept. of History and Classical Studies
130.
Kimberly Seida, PhD student, Sociology
131.
Brianne Selman, Administrative Coordinator, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and
McGill Alum.
132.
Amber Lee Silva, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept of Anthropology
133.
Diego Shima, PhD student, East Asian Studies
134.
Nadav Slovin, U2, Philosophy Major
135.
Kimberley Smith, U2 Economics
136.
Cayley Sorochan, PhD4, Communication Studies
137.
Nathan Spannaus, PhD student, Institute of Islamic Studies
138.
Rose Marie Stano, former Admin. Officer (retired July 2011), Dept. of Anthropology
139.
Noemi Stern, U2, Cognitive Science Major
140.
Bracha Stettin, U0, Faculty of Arts
141.
Adam Stikuts, B.A. ‘10
142.
Paul Sutton, MA ‘09, AHCS
143.
Derek Tyrrell, U3, Honours Political Science
144.
Vanessa Vescio, Secretary, Educational Services, Faculty of Medicine
145.
Letha Victor, MA 2011, Department of Anthropology
146.
Lonnie Weatherby, Reference/Liaison Librarian, Humanities & Social Sciences Library
147.
Shiloh Whitney, PhD Candidate, Department of Philosophy
148.
John Wolforth. Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Integrated Studies, Faculty of Education
149.
Devon Wong, MA2, English
150.
Sun Chee Wong, Graduate Office, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
151.
Sarah Woolf, B.A. Honours, ‘11
152.
Jessica Young, MA1, AHCS
153.
Simon Young, Professor, Department of Psychiatry
154.
Colleen Sheppard, Professor and Director, Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism,
Faculty of Law
155.
Jonathan Sterne, Associate Professor, Art History and Communication Studies
156.
Ada Sonnenfeld, U3 Arts, International Development Studies
157.
Larry Lessard, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
158.
Aharon Blank, PhD student, Sociology
159.
Diane Miller, Senior fund administrator-Foundations (Assoc.), Financial Services
160.
Alan Hui-Bon-Hoa, MA student, AHCS
161.
Dima Ayoub, PhD candidate, Institute of Islamic Studies
162.
Alex Briggs, U3 student, Mechanical Engineering
163.
Gregory Brass, PhD student, Anthropology
164.
Evelyn Stanley, BA student, McGill University
165.
Dylan Mulvin, PhD student, Communication Studies
166.
Amy Barnes, PhD5, Philosophy, McGill University
167.
Ellie Marshall, BA student, Cultural Studies
168.
Andrée Lévesque, Professor Emeritus, History, McGill University
169.
Angela Lapenna, Undergraduate Coordinator, Department of East Asian Studies
170.
Jessica Barnes, PhD student, Philosophy
171.
Julie Gao, BA student, International Development and African Studies
172.
Ann Jack, Undergraduate Secretary, School of Computer Science
173.
Asia Harvey, MA student, Art History
174.
Bariza Umar, PhD candidate, Institute of Islamic Studies
175.
Francesca Buxton, BA student, Women’s Studies and History
176.
Berkeley Kaite, Associate Professor, English
177.
Dale Creighton, Technician, Voice Technologies, Network and Communication Services
178.
Benjamin Carlisle, MA in Bioethics student, Department of Philosophy
179.
Carmelo Milo, Laboratory Manager, McGill University
180.
Cheryl Thompson, PhD student, AHCS
181.
Gayatri Kumar, BA ’11, English and Middle East Studies
182.
Joanne McAlpine, Customer Service, Printing Services (Ancillary Services)
183.
Christian Martone, MA student, McGill University
184.
Fatima Seedat, PhD candidate, Institute of Islamic Studies
185.
Jennifer Clarke, Senior Administrative Coordinator, Faculty of Medicine
186.
Maiya Jordan, PhD student, Philosophy
187.
Megan Galeucia, BA student, Anthropology, Institute for Health & Social Policy fellow
188.
Cole Powers, U2 Arts Student, McGill University
189.
Gabriella Djerrahian, PhD student, Anthropology
190.
David Brackett, Associate Professor, Dept. of Music Research, Schulich School of Music
191.
David Groves, BA Anthropology ’09. Student in Faculty of Law
192.
Defne Karaosmanoglu, PhD 06, Communication Studies
193.
Giulia El-Dardiry, PhD candidate, Anthropology
194.
Hilary Ison, BA student, Women’s Studies
195.
Hubert De Souza, Lending and Access, Humanities and Social Sciences Library
196.
Maria Mastromonaco, Program Coordinator, Executive Institute, Desautels Faculty of
Management
197.
Jane Hu, BA student, English Literature
198.
Jennifer Glassco, BA ’07, International Development Studies
199.
Jessica Dolan, PhD candidate, Anthropology
200.
Liette Chin, Sr. Admin. & Student Affairs Coordinator, School of Computer Science
201.
Jessica Rozon, BA student, Faculty of Arts
202.
Michael Hallett, John Frothingham Professor of Logic and Metaphysics, Philosophy
203.
Michal Rozworski, PhD candidate, Philosophy
204.
Setrag Manoukian, Assistant Professor, Institute of Islamic Studies and Anthropology
205.
Melanie Element, Service Representative, Enrolment Services
206.
Jodie Beck, PhD student, East Asian Studies
207.
Joseph Sannicandro, MA student, Communication Studies
208.
Kaitlyn Pinder, PhD student, English
209.
Mahmoud Nachabe, M.D., Associate Member, Division of Urology, McGill University
210.
Kate Ranachan, MA ’08, Communication Studies
211.
Ram Sabaratnam, BA student, Philosophy
212.
Maya Gunnarsson, BA student, Art History
213.
Nick Davis, B. Mus. ’09, M. Mus. ’11
214.
Shannon Walsh, PhD ’10, Faculty of Education, McGill University
215.
Yasmine Nachabe, PhD candidate, AHCS
216.
Vera Roy, Legal translator, McGill Alum ’05 and ’09
217.
Vanessa Fernando, BA, History and Gender Studies
218.
Tyler Lawson, BA student, U2 Arts
219.
Trevor Clarke, BA student, U3 History
220.
Kelly McKinney, Postdoctoral Fellow, Psychiatry and Social Studies in Medicine
221.
Timothy Beeler, Undergraduate student, Schulich School of Music
222.
Tanya Nock, Student in Anatomy and Cell Biology
223.
Sylvie Simonds, PhD candidate, AHCS
224.
Paul Peters, Professor, Languages, Literatures and Cultures – German Studies
225.
Lerona Lewis, PhD student, Department of Integrated Studies in Education and AGSEM
President
226.
Lena C. Palacios, PhD student, Department of Integrated Studies in Education and AHCS
227.
Logan Smith, Photographer, The McGill Tribune
228.
Morgan Charles, PhD candidate, AHCS
229.
Lucy Toppetta, Senior Administrative Coordinator, Career Planning Service
230.
Matthew Milne, BA student, Political Science and English
231.
Patricia Burgher, Porter (retired), McGill University
232.
Meghan Butters, Undergraduate student
233.
Myriam Zaidi, Undergraduate student and outgoing SSMU VP External
234.
Neal Thomas, PhD student, AHCS
235.
Sophia Griscom, BA student, Psychology and Linguistics double major
236.
Moira Johnson, Undergraduate student
237.
Simon Hebert, Greenhouse Technician, Department of Plant Science
238.
Shaina Agbayani, Undergraduate student and contributor to The McGill Daily
239.
Sam Faustmann, BA ’09, MA ’10, currently PhD student, Sociology
240.
Sébastien Bluteau, MA student, Anthropology
241.
Rosa Aiello, BA ’10
242.
Pria Patroni, U3, English Literature and Religious Studies
243.
Richard Hink, PhD ‘10, AHCS
244.
Nicolas Chatel-Launay, Undergraduate student in Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, Macdonald Campus, and VP Finance, MCSS
245.
Richard Cooper, Course Lecturer, English Academic Writing
246.
Nicholas Cameron, Undergraduate Student and contributor to The McGill Daily
247.
Marco Pappalardo, PhD candidate, Anthropology
248.
Nicole Muldrew, BA student, Hispanic Studies
Non-McGill community signatories (36 signatures)
1. Diana Allan, Harvard Society of Fellows
2. Brian Cushing, parent of current McGill student
3. Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo, Graduate Student, Science & Technology Studies, Cornell University
4. John J. Hartman, Clinical Associate Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa
5. Julia Hartman, RN BSN, Tampa Bay Psychoanalytic Society
6. Robert Myers, Professor, American University of Beirut
7. Aly Taan
8. Amanda Hartman
9. Andrew Yale, Graduate Student, English, University of Chicago
10. Charles Cunningham, English, Eastern Michigan University
11. Cynthia Wilson, LICSW, East Greenwich, RI
12. Jens Hanssen, Assistant Professor, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean History, University of
Toronto
13. Hiba Jurdi
14. Serena Olsaretti, Faculty of Philosophy,Cambridge University
15. Wael Hallaq, Avalon Foundation Professor in the Humanities, Columbia University (and former
McGill Professor, Institute of Islamic Studies)
16. Karen Whyte, University of Cincinnati
17. Michael McKeon
18. Zach Schwartz-Weinstein, Graduate student of American Studies, NYU
19. Narita Keisuke, Artist, Tokyo
20. TJ Boisseau, University of Akron, Ohio
21. Kirubhalini Giruparajah, MA candidate, History, Queen’s University
22. Lara Masri, Postdoctoral Clinical Psychology Fellow, University of South Carolina
23. Leah Schwebel, PhD candidate, English, University of Conneticut
24. Martín Perna, Musician and educator, Austin, Texas
25. Michel Moushabeck
26. Michaelle Browers, Associate Professor of Political Science, Wake Forest University, North
Carolina
27. Stephen Sheehi, Associate Professor and Arabic Program Director, University of South Carolina
28. Sofian Merabet, Assistant Professor, Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin
29. Samah Selim, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
30. Roger Haughey, John Abbott College
31. Robert Sonin, Free Education Montreal
32. Peter Gran, History, Temple University, Philadelphia
33. Paul Sedra, Associate Professor of History, Simon Fraser University
34. Nicolas Zacchi, Research Assistant at NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Centre, UK
35. Omar Nashabe, Columnist, Al-Akhbar daily paper, Lebanon
36. Omnia El Shakry, Associate Professor, History, UC Davis