{"id":66238,"date":"2020-06-07T22:17:41","date_gmt":"2020-06-08T02:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=66238"},"modified":"2020-06-07T22:31:11","modified_gmt":"2020-06-08T02:31:11","slug":"an-open-letter-to-the-brock-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2020\/06\/an-open-letter-to-the-brock-community\/","title":{"rendered":"An open letter to the Brock community"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Friday, June 5, the University became aware of a paper written by Professor Tom\u00e1\u0161 Hudlick\u00fd\u00a0that was published and then retracted by the journal Angewandte Chemie<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The paper includes highly objectionable statements that contrast the promotion of equity and diversity with the promotion of academic merit. \u00a0These statements are hurtful and alienating to members of diverse communities and historically marginalized groups who have, too often, seen their qualifications and abilities called into question.<\/p>\n

The article moreover contains descriptions of the graduate supervisor-graduate student relationship that connote disrespect and subservience. These statements could be alarming to students and others who have the reasonable expectation of respectful and supportive mentorship.<\/p>\n

The statements contained in the paper are not representative of the Brock community. They are utterly at odds with the values of Brock\u2019s deeply committed research mentors, and all those working hard to build an inclusive and diverse community. They do not reflect the principles of inclusivity, diversity and equity included in the University\u2019s mission, vision and values as approved by our Senate and Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n

Together we have made significant strides to foster an institutional culture advancing human rights and reconciliation. Among other actions, in recent years the University has:<\/p>\n