Former Kingston mayor says more needs to be done to stop University District parties
Global News
Former Kingston Mayor, Mark Gerretsen says Queen's University needs to be more strict with those who take part in hosting large gatherings on campus.
Thousands gathered to take part in street parties in and around the campus of Queen’s University in Kingston over the weekend for unsanctioned Homecoming celebrations.
The parties happened in spite of strict warnings from the City of Kingston, Kingston police and the principal of the university, Patrick Deane.
When asked what the university intends to do with students who took part, he says there could be sanctions.
“We don’t have the authority for things they do as private citizens. But we do under certain circumstances under the code (where we) have the ability to impose sanctions,” Deane said. “And those sanctions can run from restorative justice to expulsion.”
But that’s not good enough, according to Kingston and the Islands MP, Mark Gerretsen, who took to Facebook Sunday to call out the university.
“Queen’s needs to wrap their head around the fact that they are the only part of this equation that can affect the outcome,” Gerretsen, who is also a Queen’s graduate, said.
“I’m very frustrated,” he added.
Disturbing banners were seen that made light of sexual violence against women seen hanging from homes in the University District.