The University of Victoria says the cost of dealing with a pro-Palestinian encampment on its grounds from May to July was $1.06 million, including security, dealing with vandalism and preventing disruption of its convocation ceremonies.
Protesters set up camp at UVic on May 1 amid a wave of similar protests on North American post-secondary campuses in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, including one at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo that lasted until Aug. 18. The VIU encampment was removed after B.C. Supreme Court granted an injunction; it was the last pro-Palestinian protest encampment in Canada.
Protesters at UVic wanted the university to divest from corporations supporting Israel, cut academic ties in Israel and condemn the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza.
About 20 tents were initially set up in the campus quad, a central area near the McPherson Library, and the encampment eventually grew to more than 50 tents.
“During the 83-day encampment on our campus, the University of Victoria incurred significant costs to support the ongoing health and safety of our campus community, including members of the encampment,” said Kristi Simpson, UVic’s vice-president of finance and operations.
The bulk of the total — $695,000 — was for security costs, including overtime for campus-security staff and contracts with the Saanich Police Department and Paladin Security.
UVic said increased security was needed to address incidents of violence against members of the encampment and others on campus.
Expenses such as enhanced safety measures during June convocation ceremonies and dealing with vandalism added another $365,000 in costs, UVic said.
The teardown of the camp was done by about 60 of the protesters on July 23, a few hours after a deadline was set by UVic for them to leave.
A collection of pallets and other items was left behind, as well as a sign saying: “Still we rise.”
The university said considerable cleanup was required to restore the green space before the 2024 fall term began, including removing pallets, broken furniture, garbage and biohazards.
During the 83-day encampment, the campus also experienced — and continues to experience — “increased acts of vandalism that require repair and attention,” UVic said in a statement, adding pro-Palestinian and anti-UVic graffiti was found sprayed on UVic residences as recently as Sept. 1.
UVic said that free expression and the right to safe, peaceful and lawful protest is still supported on campus. But people exercising those rights are required “to act in a responsible manner that respects the rights of other members of the university community, upholds the university’s values, and adheres to the policies on our campus that support physical safety, respect and inclusion.”
It said it will “continue to reflect on and learn” from what happened with the encampment.
VIU said earlier that it spent about $870,000 dealing with its pro-Palestinian encampment.
Saanich police Insp. Damian Kowalewich said the department was in regular communication with UVic leadership while the encampment was in place and was consulted on security matters.
He said police play a critical and impartial role in helping community members exercise their Charter rights “safely and peacefully.”
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