Concordia University has decided to withdraw complaints it made against dozens of students at the height of the tuition protest last spring.
Concordia President Alan Shepard made the announcement in a statement released Tuesday on the university’s website.
Though members of Concordia have the right to peaceful and orderly protest, it is against the Code of Rights and Responsibilities to block access to classes and cause disruptions on campus. Some students allegedly did so, leading university administration to file the complaints.
Other members of the university also filed complaints, but the administration does not have the power to revoke those, said Shepard in the statement.
Shepard said he acknowledges that the decision to withdraw the complaints may be controversial, but said he feels it's time for the Concordia community to look forward.
“I am not passing judgment on the complaints themselves. As I have said publicly, I think the university appropriately handled the disruptions that arose during the protests,” he wrote.
“The protests were an unprecedented situation for our university and its community. As president of the university, I also believe it is time for our community to turn the page and focus on the future together. I acknowledge that some members of the community will not agree with this approach, and I respect their point of view on the matter.”
