Racist comment mars online class at U of O

The University of Ottawa is denouncing reports of a racist comment during an online class.

Dean Adam Dodek of the faculty of law sent an email to studentsMonday saying the school had received multiple complaints about "problematic behaviour" during online breakout sessions,when students in a virtual classroom subdivide into separatevideo conference rooms.

Those reports include that racist language was usedwithout aprofessorpresent, Dodek wrote.

"We categorically denounce discriminatory behaviour in all its forms and stand in solidarity with all members of our Common Law community who have experienced discrimination," Dodek wrote.

"We acknowledge that academia, including our law school, has a long history of systemic discriminatory practices, which we must urgently address."

A spokesperson for the university confirmedreceiving reportsof a student making a racist comment.

Neither Dodek nor the university provided details about what specifically was said and whetherthe student who said it was identified orpunished.

"We are a community committed to social justice and anti-racism, and we must work together to create a safe and welcoming community for all students, staff and faculty," university spokesperson Isabelle Mailloux-Pulkinghornsaid in an emailed statement.

More classes at this university and other schoolshave moved online because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

'History ofdiscrimination'

Babacar Faye, president of the University of Ottawa Students' Union, said he was disappointed but not surprised.

"There is a history of incidents, of racial discrimination happening on our campus," said Faye, himself aBlack law student.

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Faye said racism on campus makes non-white studentsfeel alienated.

"It gives the sentiment that they're not welcome and that they don't have their place in this community," he said.

While he credits Dodek with being "more or less" proactive by addressing the issue directly with students, Faye saidit's not enough to just release a statement.

Steffany Bennett, a professor in the faculty of medicineand a special advisor on diversity and inclusion to the university's president, said incidents like this "eat away at the self-esteem and the security of our students."

Students driving activism

The university administration is in the early stages of acampaign to combat racism that was launched last year in response to complaints aboutracial profiling.

Women's studies professor Nadia Abu-Zahra, whosits on an advisory committee to the president,saidstudents aredriving much of the progress on campus with their activism.

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"Students have shown tremendous leadership," Abu-Zahra said.

"When things like this happen to them They look around and they see the systemic structures and they start to change them."

Abu-Zahrasaid Indigenous students and students of colour who are most impacted by racismshould have a stronger voice in the administration's plans to address systemic racism.