HALIFAX- A group purporting to be members of the hacker collective Anonymous has sent Dalhousie University an ultimatum regarding the scandal at its dentistry school.
In an online post the group says it is upset with how Dalhousie school officials have handled the case involving a Facebook group run by fourth-year male dentistry students who posted sexually violent comments about their female colleagues.
According to the post, if their demands are not met, on Jan. 5 they will release the names of the students allegedly associated with the group.
Their list of demands includes: taking steps to expel all members involved in the Facebook group; launch an investigation into the handling of this case; and create a plan to address systemic sexism on campus.
The university has already said it will start a presidential task force to look at wider issues of sexism on campus. President Richard Florizone has also said expulsion is still an option under the restorative justice process. He says some of the women have decided to use that approach to decide on what consequences are appropriate for the men involved.
In response to the online demands, the university said it is committed to following due process.
“We are committed to a just process to determine the consequences of this offensive behavior,” said Director of Communications Brian Leadbetter, in an emailed statement. “The process will comply with the law and university policies. There will be consequences; there are a broad range of options including removal of students from the program.”
READ MORE: Dalhousie president hopes restorative justice will rebuild trust in classroom
Last week, Dalhousie University President Richard Florizone announced the school planned to use restorative justice to deal with the 13 men who wrote misogynistic comments about their female peers.
In the past there have been cases where online groups claiming to be Anonymous have threatened organizations in Nova Scotia, but have not followed through on the threats.
The group says it is also organizing a protest at the university on Jan. 5 – the first day of winter term classes.
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