Montreal’s Concordia University has confirmed a professor has been “removed temporarily” as officials “assess the situation” after someone allegedly made racist comments during a classroom lecture.
Global News spoke to two students who were in the classroom when the allegedly racist comments were made. They asked not to be identified because they fear reprisals from the university.
In an online post, a student at the John Molson School of Business (JMSB) described what allegedly happened on Oct. 21.
According to the post on the private John Molson School of Business Facebook page, part-time lecturer Roumen Solov said during a class that after the Second World War, Jewish people came to New York City and “got high education, but black people are not educated.”
Concordia University is investigating the matter.
“We’ve interviewed the students and the professor and he has been removed temporarily while we assess the situation,” Cléa Desjardins, a spokesperson for the university told Global News.
Solov also allegedly singled out the only black student in the room.
She told Global News she challenged Solov after his comments and said it sounded like he was saying black people were lazy and not interested in education.
According to her, Solov then tried to clarify by saying slavery prevented black people from getting access to education.
He has since issued a statement on the controversy in which he denied the allegations.
“I strongly dispute this version of events and contest the facts as reported,” Solov said.
“However, based on instructions from the faculty and recommendations from my union, I will not issue any further comments in the public domain based on social media false allegations.”
Some students have started a petition to have Solov fired.
Several hundred have signed so far.
A spokesperson for the university said the issue should be resolved within the week.
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