HALIFAX – One hundred fifty Dalhousie faculty members are calling on the university to launch an independent inquiry into the sexually violent Facebook comments made towards female dentistry students.
The faculty petition, called “Statement Against Misogyny and Gendered Violence,” calls “for an integrated approach to the problem of sexualized violence on our campuses.”
The group of professors said an independent inquiry is the only way for the university “to ensure the safety and success of students, faculty and staff, and begin to regain public trust in the Faculty of Dentistry and Dalhousie University.”
Five Dalhousie professors started the petition on Friday. Since then it has attracted signatures from other faculty members as well as from faculty at other universities in Canada.
Professor Jason Brown, who works in Dalhousie’s Mathematics and Statistics department, said the independent inquiry is crucial.
“People know one another, there are connections and you need really true independence, I think, to get to the crux of the matter and to find a solution,” said Brown.
READ MORE: Dalhousie restorative justice response to Facebook comments questioned
President Richard Florizone had previously promised to launch a presidential task force to look at systemic sexism on campus. However, on Monday, the university said it was “premature” to say whether it would be an independent task force.
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Brian Leadbetter, the university’s director of communications, said the task force would begin its work in early January.
The faculty calling for an independent inquiry said the inquiry would consult all groups and individuals impacted by the case, issue a public report and make recommendations to all appropriate institutions and organizations.
The faculty’s petition comes as another online petition has attracted more than 39,000 signatures. The petition on change.org is calling for the expulsion of all individuals who were members of the Facebook group where the abusive and sexist posts were made or who participated in posting the comments.
Dalhousie dentistry clinic closing until January 12
The public dental clinics run by the Faculty of Dentistry at Dalhousie University will close until January 12.
A statement released by the university said the closing is “one of the many steps being taken so patients, students, faculty and staff are able to return to classes and clinics in a safe and supportive environment”.
The Faculty of Dentistry and School of Dental Hygiene are working on a plan for classes and dental clinics for the remainder of the term.
Affected patients will be contacted directly to reschedule appointments.
The closure of the clinic comes as the university reels from a Facebook scandal where fourth year male dentistry students made misogynistic and sexist comments about their female peers.
Last week, Global News pressed Dalhousie University president Richard Florizone on whether the Facebook scandal was a public safety risk. Florizone said “I don’t believe so at this time”.
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