Security measures being increased on McGill campuses Oct. 5 to 7 

As events are being organized around the one year start of the Israel-Hamas war, McGill University is increasing its security measures for their downtown Montreal and Macdonald campuses.

“Events are being organized from Oct. 5 to 7 that call for significant numbers of people from outside the McGill community to gather on or around the university’s downtown campus,” they wrote on Wednesday afternoon in a press release.

They add that McGill has not received any threat to physical safety, but that they are “limiting access to the campus during this week to prioritize the stable continuation of critical academic activities at a time of elevated potential for disruption.” 

The University says that in recent months, they’ve seen many peaceful protests and commemorations. “We’ve unfortunately also seen incidents on campus that have crossed the bounds of the law and McGill’s policies, upsetting people, disrupting access to our learning and workspaces, and damaging property. ” 

 McGill is putting in place temporary additional security measures from Oct. 5 to 7 they say with “a range of critical goals,” to:

• facilitate the continuity of teaching, research and other activities,  
• support the wellbeing of all at McGill;
• seek to deter and prevent activities that violate the law and their policies, “thereby destabilizing our campus at a very sensitive time.”  

The University says, “the measures outlined have emerged from extensive planning and in close communication with the Montreal police (SPVM).”

 The University will be open only to current McGill students and employees and essential visitors on university business, like deliveries or other operational activities or academic activities such as thesis defences. The campus is otherwise closed to the public.  

• Classes that do not need to be in person will be moved online; midterms, assessments and labs will remain in person.  
• Staff who can perform their duties remotely during this period are required to work from home.   
• A valid McGill-issued ID card will also be required for access to buildings.