(Photo courtesy of Anadolu)
BRUSSELS – The University of Toronto has acknowledged discrimination against Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities on its campuses and announced measures to address concerns over harassment, unequal treatment and campus safety.
In a statement Thursday, the university recognized that members of these communities had experienced discrimination within the institution and pledged to take steps to improve campus conditions.
The acknowledgment followed the release of a nearly 300-page report by the university’s Muslim, Arab and Palestinian Discrimination Working Group (MAP DWG), which documented allegations of discriminatory treatment involving students, faculty and staff.
The report identified what it described as a “general pattern of over-policing and under-protecting” Muslim, Arab and Palestinian members of the university community.
Participants reported incidents of harassment, derogatory comments, vandalism and online intimidation. Some also expressed concerns about surveillance and being singled out because of their academic research, activism or public expressions of support for Palestinians.
While recognizing the concerns raised, the university said it could not adopt the report and its recommendations in their current form.
University officials explained that some proposals conflicted with existing collective agreements and protections for academic freedom, while others involved matters beyond the institution’s authority.
Despite declining to adopt the report in full, the university announced several initiatives aimed at addressing discrimination and improving support for affected communities.
These include exploring additional financial assistance for students affected by conflicts abroad and maintaining investments in academic research involving Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities.
The university also plans to establish a Muslim Community Advisory Council to provide guidance on campus conditions, equity and inclusion.
The proposed council will consult external Muslim community organizations on issues affecting students, faculty members, staff and librarians.
The university said the measures form part of its commitment to addressing discrimination while maintaining existing institutional policies and academic protections.
