Dear Students,

Dear Queen’s community,

As we prepare for the beginning of the fall term, your health and safety remains the highest priority of the university. That is why on Aug. 26 we strengthened our safety measures against COVID-19 by joining other universities and colleges in Ontario in implementing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Under the new policy, all individuals (students, staff, faculty, contractors, and visitors) who are participating in university activities in person, either on Queen’s campus or other Queen’s property, must be vaccinated.

Our university condemns the hateful comments that occurred during a Zoom hacking incident by an unknown individual during an outdoor Sacred Fire ceremony at the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre on Friday, June 4. The gathering was in honour of the 215 children found buried at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, a horrific discovery that has deeply impacted everyone in our community. There is no place for harassment and discrimination on our campus.

Full text of Principal Patrick Deane's Installation Speech delivered on November 12, 2019 at Grant Hall, Queen's University, Kingston Ontario. Check against delivery.

The recent calls for administrative leadership on anti-racism, from staff, faculty, and especially students, have been heard clearly and action will be taken.

To this end, and with guidance from our Associate Vice-Principals, Stephanie Simpson and Janice Hill, I have prepared a Declaration, on behalf of the university’s administration, to address racism, systemic as well as individual.

It’s been just over 90 days since Patrick Deane took on the role of Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Queen’s. The Gazette recently took some time to chat with him about his experience at Queen’s in the role so far, his open letter, and plans for conducting a conversation with the Queen’s community about the issues we are facing and the university’s future.