Concordia student politician files complaint about racist, sexist Facebook chat
University president says he is 'deeply troubled' by reports
A Concordia student association is facing a harassment scandal after a former member of the executive says two male colleagues made repeated racist and sexist remarks about her.
"I didn't know that people used the term, excuse me — chink slave — anymore. I didn't know that it's normal for two boys to refer to women as whores," she said.
CBC is not identifying the association to protect the identities of the people involved.
The student in question was elected to the executive in 2013 and says from the start there were inappropriate comments about her.
One day, while she was using a public computer in the public office of the association, she found a Facebook conversation between two of her male colleagues.
They named her and allegedly made repeated graphic sexual remarks and racist comments.
The student took photos of the screen so she'd have proof of the conversation.
Complaints to administration
She says she complained to Concordia administration but was told nothing could be done because this was a private conversation.
The two male students involved are the current president and vice-president of this association.
The association did not respond to a request for comment.
Concordia's president, Alan Sheperd, released a statement this afternoon, saying he only recently became aware of this situation.
"I am deeply troubled by the reports I read online last night and we are looking into the circumstances of the university's response," read the statement.
"The social media landscape is still relatively new territory for universities and we are all finding our footing. We are grappling with ways to deal with unacceptable behaviour within this new reality. Questions of what is private and what is personal, as well as where universities have the power to intervene, must be addressed," the statement continued.
Sheperd says he's looking into the way the university handled the situation.
"We are committed to creating a safe environment for everyone and combatting racist and sexist behaviour."
The student has also filed a complaint with Quebec's human rights commission.