University of Waterloo debuts new campus emergency alert system for 2024 fall semester

The University of Waterloo is starting the new academic year with updated security protocols after recent safety concerns on campus.

In June 2023, three people were taken to hospital after a man who had recently graduated from the southern Ontario university stabbed them during a gender-studies class in Hagey Hall.

University president Vivek Goel hopes the new security measures will make the campus feel safer.

"We know the challenges haven't disappeared," said Goel in an unlisted YouTube video posted late last week.

"Political divides, economic uncertainties and global conflicts still impact us all. And here at the university, the past spring brought its own difficulties for marking the anniversary of the attack at Hagey Hall to the debate surrounding recent campus protests."

Updated safety protocols 

The day of the stabbing at Hagey Hall, the University of Waterloo came under criticism for its emergency alert system. 

Many students say they learned of the situation on Twitter and Reddit, but didn't receive any official notification from the university. 

"Since the Hagey Hall attack and through the course of the past year, we have continued to make many improvements," Goel told CBC News. 

He said those include the implementation of a new campus alert system and revision of their emergency response procedures and approaches.

UW commemorates first anniversary of 2023 Hagey Hall attack

6 months ago

Duration 1:01

The University of Waterloo held an event on Friday to commemorate the first anniversary of the stabbing attack that shocked the community exactly a year ago. Police have called it "a hate-motivated incident related to gender expression and gender identity." A man who had recently graduated from the school has pleaded guilty to two charges of aggravated assault and one charge each of assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon in the attack. He is awaiting sentencing.

"We're looking at the access control systems we have for our building as well as our safety systems — lighting in hallways after hours, in parking lots and so on."

Goel added there's a sense of excitement on the campus this year as pandemic restrictions are officially something of the past. 

"We're really back to our usual activities and there's really no restrictions in place other than the reminders to stay home if you're sick."

Encampment reflection

Another significant event that recently happened on the school's campus was the Pro-Palestinian encampment which Goel also touched on in the Youtube video.

Last semester, the encampment remained on campus for eight weeks as those involved called on the university to divest from any company that supports Israel amid the war against Hamas in Gaza.

As tensions ran high on campus for weeks during the Occupy UWaterloo encampment, Goel said he's taken time to reflect on the situation.

He said he's learned that even in times of great conflict and differing points of view, it's important to listen and hear.

"We have members of our community with family that are being affected. Understanding what this is doing, what impact this is having on them, is so critical to be able to understand why they're coming with the concerns that they have."

Members and supporters of the encampment were determined to have their voices heard, highlighting their call for the school to divest at many opportunities. 

An example of that was on June 3, when the university held a flag-raising ceremony to kick off Pride month. 

A video of the event showed Goel walking off the stage as demonstrators chanted at him "Viviek, Vivek you can't hide. We charge you with genocide."

LISTEN | University of Waterloo president addresses safety concerns as students return to campus:

The Morning Edition - K-W7:14University of Waterloo president Vivek Goel addresses safety concerns as students head back to campus

As summer comes to a close and students are back on campuses, the University of Waterloo is addressing any concerns about the upcoming academic year. We hear from the University's president about what students and parents can expect.

When asked about the personal toll the pointed demonstrations took on him, Goel said he understands the difference between people being angry at his role as the president, versus him as an individual. 

"I think that part of my job of being the leader of the institution is that you are going to be held to account for the actions of the institution," Goel explained. "So the comments about me, I saw that being directed at the institution."

In terms of divesting as the encampment had demanded, Goel added strides are being made to find common ground which includes creating two task forces.

"We're going to have colleagues, students, faculty, staff and we're going to examine those issues and come up with recommendations."

When asked how he plans to handle a similar encampment in the future, Goel said protests or actions that go beyond what would be legally allowed will not be tolerated on campus. 

"One of lessons again from last year is that we need to uphold the right for protest, the right of freedom of expression for all members of our community. We also need to ensure that our scholarly mission, our teaching activities, our research activities and all the community engagement that happens on our campus is able to proceed and that all members of our community are able to feel like they can take part."

Forward thinking 

Goel said his goal for the university is to continue working on the global impact they'll have in the future. 

He added the hope is to support the development of networks within the institution that will address big global challenges such as the climate crisis and health system sustainability.

Earlier this year, it was announced the site of a new hospital in Waterloo region will be on land currently owned by the University of Waterloo. 

Students at the university will get a chance to use the hospital as a teaching tool and research hub. 

"It's a great opportunity for us to start to think about where we want to be as an institution when that hospital gets build and work with the hospital on the innovations that are necessary to have a sustainable health-care system."