University of Toronto gives encampment 24 hours to consider latest offer

The University of Toronto says students involved in a pro-Palestinian encampment have 24 hours to consider its latest offer, made public Thursday.

In a statement detailing the details of the offer, University of Toronto President Meric Gertler said the university would not end its partnerships with Israeli universities – something protesters were demanding – because she is committed to academic freedom.

“The encampment must stop,” Gertler said in the update.

“Our approach remains guided by our efforts to balance our shared values, people’s fundamental rights and freedoms, and the desire for a peaceful resolution. We hope that representatives will accept our offer. If an agreement is not reached, the university will go further.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Gertler said the university will issue a trespass notice if students don’t accept the offer and he hopes they follow the law.

“We are still in constant dialogue with the students. We remain committed to a peaceful resolution and hope that the students will accept our offer,” he told reporters.

“If no agreement is reached, we will issue a trespass notice and pursue all subsequent legal steps,” he added. “We have made it clear that they have 24 hours to consider our offer, but we are happy to continue talking.”

Offer includes disclosure working group

Dozens of students, staff and faculty have occupied a green space at King’s College Circle on the university’s St. George campus in downtown Toronto around the clock since May 2. They set up tents and canopies in solidarity with other encampments at universities around the world. North America, calling for an end to the Israeli war in Gaza.

The demonstrators expressed three demands. They want the university to disclose its financial investments, divest from companies that “support Israeli apartheid, occupation and illegal colonization of Palestine” and cut ties with Israeli academic institutions that operate in the occupied territories or support Israel’s military efforts.

University of Toronto President Meric Gertler speaks to reporters about the school’s latest offer to students to end a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. (CBC)

Gertler said students are invited to present their demands at the university’s board of trustees meeting on June 19.

In the statement, it said the university “will engage in – and expedite, to the extent possible – a review of the divestment request in accordance with the terms and process of the university’s policy on social and university divestment policies.

The school is determined to proceed with the convocation

As for investment disclosure, he said the university would form an expert working group to examine options for disclosure and increased transparency on the university’s investments. He said this task force would make recommendations to the president.

Gertler said graduation will begin June 3 and the university is committed to the ceremony going ahead as planned.

“We will proceed with the summons whatever happens,” he said.

When asked if the university was considering calling the police to evacuate the camp, Gertler said the school was not ruling out any options.

“We are exploring all legal options available to us,” he said. “We hope that those inside the camp will obey the law, including our trespass order.”