Plans full investigation, possible consequences
By Matthew McCully
If the homecoming hangover wasn’t bad enough, the student body at Bishop’s University had another headache to deal with on Sunday Sept. 28, when an email sent out to students from the university’s administration referred to “an illegal gathering on Reed Street”, saying the school is launching a full investigation and that “Students identified as participating in this incident will be subject to sanctions under the Student Code of Conduct, up to and including suspension or expulsion.”
The email, shared with The Record by multiple sources, called the behaviour of attendees at the Reed Street party unacceptable and said, in addition to a full investigation, that the university “will implement both immediate and long-term measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”
The email concludes encouraging students with information relevant to the investigation to reach out, adding all communications will be treated confidentially.
It was signed by Principal and vice-chancellor Sébastien Lebel-Grenier.
Fair warning?
There was another email sent out to students the Friday (Sept. 26) before the party, bearing the signature of Danai Bélanger, Vice-principal student affairs and equity, diversity and inclusion, saying BU was aware of the Reed Street gathering being planned and encouraging students to “Stick to events hosted and supported by Bishop’s or events where resources and safety nets are in place.”
“We’ve been made aware of an event on Reed Street being promoted on social media accounts. This is not a Bishop’s-sanctioned event,” the email opens, explaining gatherings of that type don’t have security or harm reduction resources, that things can escalate quickly putting people at risk, and can lead to serious safety issues.
Students are then advised that usual supports found on campus would not be available, and attending is an individual choice, “but please know that unsafe or unlawful behaviour can still result in fines, police action, or Student Code of Conduct consequences.”
The Record reached out to BU for an interview with the administration for details about the investigation and the measures being implemented on campus. The Record was also curious about the qualification of the Reed Street event as illegal, and the jurisdiction the institution was assuming over a party that took place off school grounds.
BU Communications Manager Sonia Patenaude, replying by email, said no interviews were possible at the moment, and provided the following statement, seen here in full:
“Bishop’s University strongly condemns the dangerous and unacceptable behaviour that occurred during the unsanctioned and illegal gathering on Reed Street during Homecoming weekend. This conduct does not reflect the values of our institution or the spirit of our community.
We are taking this matter very seriously. A full investigation is underway, and immediate measures are being implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and neighbours.
We remain committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of the Bishop’s and wider community.”
Student Code of Conduct
The Bishop’s University Student Code of Conduct is published on the university’s website.
Section 4 of the code refers to the scope. According to the online document, the code applies to students while on university premises, and off campus in the following situations:
– When they are acting as a delegate or designated representative of Bishop’s University or as a member of a Student Organization;
-When they are participating in a University event, program, or activity (including, but not limited to, exchange programs, co-op, career and experiential education activities);
-When the Student’s conduct may adversely affect, disrupt or interfere with another person’s reasonable participation in University programs and activities or the University’s work and learning environment, which may include online conduct; and/or,
-When participating in virtual or online spaces including, but not limited to, online learning environments.
In its two missives and the statement that followed, the university did not explain in what way it perceived students to be in breach of the code.
Police call party nothing special
The Record reached out to the Sherbrooke Police Service (SPS) for details about the party in question, which took place on Reed Street Saturday, Sept. 27.
According to SPS media rep, Martin Carrier, compared to previous years, the party was nothing special.
Carrier said things got rolling on Connolly Street and by 10:30 p.m. there were around 200-300 partiers. Carrier said the crowd eventually migrated to Reed Street and carried on until around 2 a.m. when the gathering dwindled to around 100 people, and by 2:30 it was completely over.
At peak party time, Carrier said between 400-500 people were at the gathering, which was monitored for the duration of the event by several officers (plusiers dizaines, he said).
Carrier added that the SPS, local community and the City know a big party is expected every homecoming and plan accordingly.
A single noise complaint was filed Saturday night related to the Connolly Street gathering, and there were no arrests made or fines given.
Fire department deals with pyros
The City of Sherbrooke’s communications department confirmed Monday that the fire department was called to Reed Street by the SPS on Saturday before midnight. An intervention was required to extinguish a fire on the street, and while putting it out, a number of revellers tried to start a second one, but it was snuffed out before damage was done.
The City added that no injuries were reported during the incident, and reiterated that the fire department was fully aware the party would be taking place and was on standby.
Facebook investigators suggest foul play
The Town of Lennoxville and Area Facebook page had a post asking, “What happened on Reed Street last night?”
A thread of roughly 20 comments followed, ranging from “students misbehaving” to some pretty detailed allegations of breaking and entering, destruction of property and incriminating videos circulating.
The comments piqued the curiosity of Lennoxville Borough President Claude Charron, who said he is planning an investigation of his own.
While he did not attend the party, did not personally hear any complaints from community members, and had not asked for or received a report from the police or BU, Charron said he was determined “to find out how these things happen.”
Charron said the Town and Gown Committee, comprised of Lennoxville community members, police, and BU representatives to ensure harmonious co-habitation between locals and the student population, still exists, but admitted he arrived late to the last meeting and couldn’t confirm whether the party in question was on the agenda.
Councillor Jennifer Garfat, also on the committee, did not reply to a request for comment before press time.
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