University of Toronto Administration threatens Code of Student Conduct against student representatives speaking out against tuition fee increases

TORONTO, May 8 /CNW/ - Student representatives at the University of Toronto have received letters threatening Code of Student Conduct sanctions after peaking out against tuition fee increases. Those threatened include the President of the University of Toronto Students' Union (U.T.S.U.), the former U.T.S.U. Vice-President University Affairs, an executive member of the Arts and Science Students' Union (ASSU) and a student governor.

"I am disappointed that our institution is continuing in its attempt to scare students silent," said U.T.S.U. Vice-President Internal Adnan Najmi. On March 20th, members of the University of Toronto community staged a sit-in protesting the rising cost of residence fees. In the aftermath, the University filed Code of Student Conduct charges and assisted in the arrests of 14 members of the University of Toronto community who were allegedly involved.

"Already students may be facing up to 15 years in prison for speaking up against fee increases. Now the University is saying four additional students could be facing expulsion for protesting financial barriers to post-secondary education. This is unbelievable," said Najmi.

On April 10th, 2008, alongside organizing a rally against tuition fee increases, student representatives at the University of Toronto spoke out against tuition fee increases at Governing Council, the highest governing body of the University. Each student who spoke was cut short after approximately three minutes of speaking time. A student governor was cut short after four minutes; this is highly unusual for governors.

"I believe his speaking rights were restricted because he was speaking against tuition fee increases," said Dhananjai Kohli, a student who was present at the meeting. " Other governors who spoke in favour of tuition fee increases were not subject to such suppressive limitations."

During the meeting, student representatives read a petition signed by over 3,000 students pleading the Governing Council to vote against tuition fee increases. The meeting was quickly relocated and all students were barred. In

a letter sent by the Chair of Governing Council students were told that speaking out of turn infringed upon the freedom of speech of governors.

"It's laughable," said Kohli. "Students can only speak against the tuition fees that adversely affect access to education for a strict three minutes at a time. Where is our freedom of speech? I'm concerned about the precedent the University is trying to set," said Khota Aleer, U.T.S.U. Vice-President Equity. "First students are arrested for speaking up, and now they face expulsion. This institution is becoming very stifling for students."

While students were barred from the meeting, the University of Toronto Governing Council approved tuition fee increases of up to 23%.