To the Administration of the Schulich School of Law,

We call upon the Schulich School of Law to take immediate and decisive action by enacting and enforcing a Zero Tolerance for Racism Policy. The ongoing tolerance of racist behaviors and attitudes within our institution has created a harmful, unsafe, and hostile environment for BIPOC students. This institutional failure to address and prevent racism not only damages the mental health and well-being of students of color but also undermines the core values of equity, inclusion, and justice that should define our academic community.

The Problem:

BIPOC students are repeatedly subjected to overt racism from peers and professors alike. Incidents of students using racial slurs, such as the N-word, alongside racially insensitive remarks from faculty, contribute to a mentally exhausting and emotionally damaging atmosphere. No student should be expected to endure such hostility in their academic pursuit. The persistence of these actions without significant consequences perpetuates a toxic culture that is fundamentally unsafe for BIPOC students.

A Recurring Pattern:

What is most alarming is the cyclical nature of these incidents. Each academic year, BIPOC students brace themselves for yet another occurrence of racial violence or discrimination. This perpetuation of hate and harm is unacceptable. We should not live in constant expectation of being subjected to racist behavior. The ongoing failure to take meaningful action sends a dangerous message that the safety and well-being of BIPOC students is not a priority.

Examples:

• In 2023, a student’s refusal to acknowledge systemic racism in class and their verbal attack on a BIPOC woman at a law school party prompted a student walkout. This same student had made multiple discriminatory comments throughout the academic year. Despite this, no action was taken until students walked out in protest. Even then, the consequences were inadequate—the student was merely transferred to another law school, without having faced true accountability.
• Two weeks into the beginning of classes a video showing a 1L student casually mouthing the N-word while singing a song further demonstrates the persistence of this harmful culture. 
• Additionally, this evening (October 3rd, 2024) a male 1L student was found to have engaged in blackface—an offensive and deeply racist act that further illustrates the toxic environment in which BIPOC students are expected to learn.

A Call to Action:

As third-year Schulich Law student Lorenze Cromwell said, “It’s our duty as the future lawmakers of our society to step out and speak out.” If we allow these behaviors to go unchallenged, we risk enabling individuals who exhibit racist conduct to carry these attitudes into the legal profession, where they may further perpetuate systemic injustices. This is not only a threat to the mental health and dignity of BIPOC students today, but it endangers the integrity of our future legal system.

The Demand:

We are calling on the Schulich School of Law to:

1. Immediately implement a Zero Tolerance Policy for Racism, to be enacted by the end of the semester. This policy must ensure that racist behavior from both students and faculty is met with firm and immediate consequences.
2. Create a Safe and Inclusive Environment for BIPOC Students.
   The school must commit to protecting the mental health and well-being of BIPOC students by fostering a supportive and inclusive academic space.
3. Ensure Accountability and Transparency.
   Any incidents of racism must be handled with transparency, and the community must be informed of the actions taken to prevent future harm.

Significance:

Allowing these behaviors to persist directly contradicts the values of the Weldon Tradition, which emphasizes justice, fairness, and respect. The time for meaningful change is now. The future of the legal profession, and the lives of BIPOC students, depend on it.

 
By signing this petition, you are standing in solidarity with BIPOC students and calling for immediate action to ensure that the Schulich School of Law becomes a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all.