A day after the release of a report on curbing sexism at Dalhousie University in Halifax, the leaders of the school’s student union say they’re pleased with the recommendations.
Members of the task force on misogyny, sexism and homophobia met with Dalhousie Student Union executives on Tuesday, after releasing their report in response to the scandal at the university’s dentistry school.
“We think it’s a great call to action for the university to take some important steps,” said Kathleen Reid, a vice-president with the Dalhousie Student Union.
Dalhousie University President Richard Florizone said on Monday that he accepts the report and all its 39 recommendations.
For Reid and the student union, recommendation #24 — calling for the creation of an ombudsperson office, fully funded by the university, is the most significant.
“There used to be an ombudsperson, and that was actually a recommendation that the union provided to the task force,” Reid said.
Reid says, after the report, one of the most important things that must come next is rebuilding trust between the administration and the student union, and the appointment of an ombudsperson is a major step in doing that.
She also says there needs to be change at the university.
“I think that the faculty does need a little bit of systemic change,” Reid said.
Prof. Constance Backhouse, chair of the task force, said she was pleased with how her group’s report has been received.
“I think the response from the university has been great,” she said. “These are really complicated problems. The recommendations aren't quick fixes.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Rick Grant
