Shahroze Rauf | News Editor
Featured Image: The Leslie Frost Library is at the Glendon campus where the investigation is taking place. | Courtesy of YUBlog
Assistant professor Aimé Avolonto filed a complaint of discrimination against York after learning more about a formal complaint that was filed against him by another assistant professor, Maire-Elaine Lebel.
The complaint, filed in May 2016, was finally revealed to Avolonto almost four months later in August of the same year. In an interview with the Toronto Star, Avolonto described the complaint as misleading.
“The complaint characterized a number of unremarkable, benign and otherwise normal interactions between her and me in a misleading manner that suggested I was a sexual predator, aggressive, threatening, intimidating and violent, and I possessed little, if any, self-control.”
Avolonto adds that he approached the principal of Glendon College, Donald Ipperciel at the time, to respond to the allegations. But before he could do so, Avolonto was asked what steps he would be taking to remedy his behaviour.
In a response to Avolonto’s allegations of discrimination, York has begun an internal investigation, according to Acting Chief Spokesperson for York Yanni Dagonas.
“York takes complaints of harassment and discrimination seriously. An independent external investigator has been retained to conduct a full investigation regarding the matters of which you are inquiring. York cannot comment on the specifics of complaints that are currently under investigation,” says Dagonas.
Both French departments at the Keele and Glendon campuses also replied saying they would not be able to provide comment on a situation currently under investigation. But discrimination and race issues among administration are not news to some. Take for example Sara Amoosoltani, an art history alumna who was working towards her French proficiency certificate.
“I was disturbed to witness a classmate of mine, who was a practicing Muslim, be affected by the personally-biased comments of one of our French professors. We as a class were discussing the events that occurred during the wake of the Paris attacks in 2015,” says Amoosoltani.
This discussion, as Amoosoltani describes, led the professor to state their opinion on the necessity for stricter immigration laws in France.
“They also mentioned the ‘unfortunate’ nature of the Islamic religion, making inferences to inevitable extremism. Even though nothing explicitly discriminatory was said, the context surrounding these comments were enough to make a few of us uncomfortable,” says Amoosoltani. “My classmate in question was in tears when she felt the need to voice her disagreement and justify her religious identity in the face of such extremism.”
She adds that her professor could have thought more about their biases and opinions before starting a conversation with the class, while exercising some sensitivity.
In regards to discrimination, Dagonas adds that York recognizes the right of every community member to equal treatment free of discrimination in line with the Ontario Human Rights Code, which includes race and ethnic background.
“Community members are expected to conduct themselves in a way that promotes an atmosphere of civility, diversity, equity and respect in their interactions with others. All members of York’s community must equally be able to enjoy a safe environment for work and study, free of violence, harassment, intimidation and bullying,” explains Dagonas.
Amoosoltani also suggests that a good directive against something like this kind of discrimination happening again could be diversity training initiatives among faculty members in all departments.
“As a white, cis-gendered woman I have not experienced discriminatory behaviour, but have unfortunately witnessed it toward other classmates,” says Amoosoltani. “I do feel that ignorance toward others is a systemic problem and one that propagates discriminatory speech and behaviour. To break that cycle by being self aware of your impact on others I think is the best place to start.”
