You are now in the main content area

Open letter to the community about 2015 incident in the School of Social Work

The university took quick, thorough and responsive action
June 02, 2017
Aerial shot of the Ryerson quad

Photo: Ryerson affirms commitment to diversity.

We are writing to update our community about a 2015 incident involving a Ryerson School of Social Work student, which has been in the media this week. The incident occurred in the summer of 2015. By September 4, 2015, management was engaged and, within a week, appropriate action had been taken with the employee. As with all human resource issues at Ryerson, they are addressed as confidential matters.
 
Whether the event occurred two years ago or two days ago, we understand how upsetting and difficult this has been for our Jewish students, faculty and staff, along with other members of our community.

We do not, and will not, condone actions of anti-Semitism, which are counter to our core values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We remain actively engaged in addressing any anti-Semitism in our community and are committed to broadening education and awareness of anti-Semitism.  
 
The student’s legitimate concerns were taken very seriously at both the School of Social Work and at our senior leadership level, with multiple offers of support provided to the student.
 
We regret that the student feels the matter is still unresolved. We apologize again to the student.
 
The following may be helpful to explain our attempts to rectify the situation:
 
August 25, 2015: The Field Education Coordinator in the School of Social Work inappropriately comments on two Jewish agencies that the student had proposed as potential placements.
 
September 4, 2015: The Manager of Field Education, in the School of Social Work, learns of the August 25 email exchange and contacts the student to let her know the office provided misinformation, and seeks to rectify the matter by requesting a meeting.
 
September 8, 2015: School of Social Work leaders meet.  Management took appropriate action with the Field Education Coordinator.
 
September 9, 2015: The Field Education Coordinator sends the student an apology, acknowledges the information shared was wrong, misrepresented the School of Social Work, and she reassures the student that the agencies in question are appropriate for placement.
 
September 16-25, 2015: The student meets with the Executive Director of the President’s Office, and the Assistant Vice President/Vice Provost, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AVP EDI). AVP EDI then follows-up on the student’s concerns, placement policy, appeals, and other requirements with the Director of Social Work and the Vice-Provost Academic.
 
October 2, 2015: AVP EDI reiterates to the student the Field Education Coordinator’s apology, offers further support, and raises issue of changing student’s placement.
 
October 6, 2015: Student communicates her commitment to remain in her current field placement as she has made a commitment to the organization.

October 8, 2015: President’s Office arranges a meeting with the student and President Levy for
November 3, 2015
 
October 9, 2015: AVP EDI reaffirms offer of support and extends offer to host a meeting with the student and the Director of the School of Social Work.
 
November 3, 2015: Student cancels meeting with the President.
 
We want to re-confirm that Prosserman JCC and UJA are appropriate agencies to be considered for placement opportunities for Ryerson School of Social Work students, that Ryerson has worked with the Prosserman JCC and has had students placed there in the past, and that the Ryerson School of Social Work is committed to maintaining this relationship. We want to reassure social work students that they can and should continue to request preferred settings and populations as part of their field education.
 
Ryerson University values the equitable, intentional and ongoing engagement of diversity within every facet of university life. We believe it is the shared responsibility of all community members to foster a welcoming, supportive and respectful learning, teaching, research and work environment.

More News