In regards to Mark Mercer’s speaking engagement at StFX University
To our students,
We want to acknowledge the harm caused by this individual’s presence on campus and provide support to students impacted and affected. We stand with all of our members who were impacted negatively by this speakers presence on our campus. We hope that we can help support you and call the University to action.The Student’s Union does not condone any event that has a negative impact on our students, and we are saddened that it happened on our campus.
To our University Administration,
It has been documented that in the next strategic plan for STFX, the University aims to weave equity, diversity, and inclusion, (EDI) into the fabric of the strategic plan and, in turn, the fabric of this institution. This individual’s presence on our campus does not reflect an EDI approach to higher education. The Students’ Union asks the University how having a speaker like Mark Mercer on our campus lends itself to this direction of EDI values, and how they plan to address the negative impacts that this caused?
The Students’ Union asks on behalf of our affected members, that you clearly demonstrate your commitment to a welcoming and inclusive STFX. In reviewing past articles and comments that this speaker has made, how does this speaker represent the Xaverian Values that the University asks its students to represent when they first arrive on campus. Are these Xaverian Values also not the responsibility of the University staff and faculty as well?
Lastly, we wanted to ask the university, who was this presentation for?
To read about StFX’s commitment to EDI:
https://www.stfx.ca/about/news/Being-Xaverian
https://www.stfx.ca/about/news/respectful-communities
https://www.stfx.ca/about/news/Dimensions-Charter
https://www.stfx.ca/about-stfx/university-governance/strategic-plan-2017-22