³Ô¹ÏÍø

July 3, 2023

To the Faculty of Music Community,

I remain deeply troubled by the stabbing attack that occurred at the University of Waterloo recently. We now know that the assailant deliberately targeted a Gender Studies class. This disgusting act of fear, hatred and bigotry saddens and angers me, and it is a harsh reminder that there is much work to be done.

My older sister, who identified as male at a young age, was bullied and cruelly targeted by strangers, classmates, and sadly, by members of my own family. She/They took her own life at 17 years old. That was decades ago. We have come far since then, but not nearly far enough.

Let me be clear: at the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Faculty of Music, we welcome with open arms and hearts, all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We do this lovingly and with Pride. We reject hate. We reject fear. We reject bigotry.

Cindi

Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner 
Dean. Faculty of Music

The threat of violence can have a significant impact on the university community. ³Ô¹ÏÍø offers a range of supports to students, staff and faculty. These can be accessed through the following resources:  

•  Vanessa Oliver (Interim Associate Vice-President: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
• The Student Wellness Centres: 519.884.0710 x3146 or wellness@wlu.ca 
• Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Supports svinfo@wlu.ca or 519.884.0710 x4847 
• Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management: 519.884.0710 x3322 or humanrights@wlu.ca
• Homewood Health EFAP: call 24/7/365 Toll-free (English): 1.800.663.1142
• Urgent After-Hours Care 
• Victim Services (after-hours number): 519.570.5143 
• Here 24/7: 1.844.437.3247 
• Delton Glebe Counselling Centre: 519.884.3305 or glebecentre@wlu.ca 
• ³Ô¹ÏÍø Human Resources: 519.884.0710 x2007 
• Good2Talk Helpline: 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868 (Ontario’s 24/7 helpline for postsecondary students)
• ³Ô¹ÏÍø's Special Constable Service: 519.885.3333