Campus Updates
May 17, 2024 - Some common questions and answers have been added to this page to support student life questions, and to provide links for confidential support and resources.
May 12, 2024 - 9:30 a.m. - Saturday’s decision to remove the encampment on the Quad was difficult but necessary due to the dangerous risks associated with it. These included the presence of wood pallets, declared a fire hazard by the fire inspector, and items like hammers, axes and screwdrivers, which had the potential to be used as weapons. In addition, the university does not have the resources or expertise to manage an encampment of this size and complexity and ensure public safety. Read the full update to the U of A community »
May 11, 2024 - 2:45 p.m. - To correct some misinformation currently being shared: No members of the U of A community who were involved in the May 9 to 11 encampment have been banned from campus and no students were suspended.
May 11, 2024 - 7:15 a.m. - On May 9, an encampment was set up in the Quad on North Campus. This morning almost all of the occupants of the encampment peacefully dispersed following a third and final reading to them of a trespass notice. At the time the encampment cleared, there were approximately 40 tents and 50 people. To the best of our knowledge, fewer than 25% of the occupants were University of Alberta students. Read the full update to the U of A community »
Messages to the U of A community
May 15: Meeting with members of the U of A community »
May 12: Update on encampment »
May 11: Update on encampment »
May 9: Freedom of Expression and protests on campus »
Common Questions, Support + Resources
University of Alberta community members do not have to navigate difficult situations by themselves. Resources are available to support your safety, health and well-being.
- Students can access on and off-campus Confidential Health + Wellness Supports.
- Employees can access 24/7 support through the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
- Any U of A community member in need of confidential support can contact the university’s Office of Safe Disclosure & Human Rights and/or Helping Individuals at Risk.
- Interfaith Chaplains’ Association, every chaplain is professionally trained and appointed by communities of faith.
No. The university has said it will not enforce the verbal ban given on May 11.
The university has not banned and will not ban anyone from campus who was involved in the encampment in May. This includes students, faculty, staff, alumni and other protesters. U of A students, staff and faculty are free to access U of A services and participate in activities on campus, including demonstrations and protests, that follow university policies, procedures and federal and provincial laws.
Students will not receive disciplinary sanctions as a result of participating in the May 2024 encampment from university administrative offices, including the Office of the Dean of Students.
However, please note that the University of Alberta may not remove an individual’s (e.g., another student, faculty, staff member or member of the public’s) right to file a formal complaint against members of the university community for alleged misconduct. It is, therefore, open to any student, faculty, staff or member of the public to lodge a complaint against a student, faculty or staff member for their conduct. Should this happen, the complaint would be addressed in accordance with the university's Student Conduct Policy and Procedure, relevant collective agreement or other applicable procedures.
While the university is not responsible for items left behind on university property, it has transferred items that remained in Quad on the morning of May 11 that were not disposed of to the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) where they can be retrieved. Please reach out to the Vice-President, Student Life of the UASU for more information.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Reach out to the U of A Students’ Union, Graduate Students Association, First People’s House, Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Safe Disclosure + Human Rights, Office of the Student Ombuds, or Office of the Vice-Provost (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) if you have any further questions or need assistance navigating university materials. These groups are here to support you confidentially.