Laurier professor, president apologize to TA over video sanction

The president of Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., has apologized for how faculty handled complaints made against teaching assistant Lindsay Shepherd after she showed a controversial video in a communications tutorial class.

Laurier president and vice-chancellor Deborah MacLatchyapologizedto Shepherd on Tuesday after media outlets carried the full audio of a conversation between her, her supervising professor Dr. Nathan Rambukkana as well as another professor, Herbert Pimlott, and the manager of Gendered Violence Prevention and Support, Adria Joel. Shepherd recorded the conversation in secret.

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"After listening to this recording, an apology is in order," MacLatchy wrote.

"The conversation I heard does not reflect the values and practices to which Laurier aspires. I am sorry it occurred in the way that it did and I regret the impact it had on Lindsay Shepherd."

MacLatchy said she also planned to apologize to Shepherd in person.

Sanctioned for video

Shepherd was sanctionedbyRambukkanaafter screening an episode of the TVOntariocurrent affairs programThe Agenda, whichshowed a debate between two University of Toronto instructors controversial psychology professor Jordan Peterson and Nicholas Matte, a lecturer in the sexual diversity studies program.

Peterson is known for being outspoken on issues, including his views on genderless pronouns.

Rambukkana told Shepherd showing the video without denouncing Peterson's views was like "neutrally playing a speech by Hitler."

Shepherd was told one or more students complained about the video. Shepherdtold CBC News she told students it's important to listen to all sides before you form an opinion on any issue.

"I very clearly stated, watching debates like these are so important for getting yourself out of speech bubbles," Shepherd told CBC News last week.

"This was on TVO," she added; a public broadcaster known for educational programming."It's crazy to me that it can't be shown in a classroom with adults."

Professor apologizes

MacLatchy said Laurier has called in an independent party to "assess the facts of the matter, including a review of related processes going forward."

Rambukkana also issued a written apology Tuesday.

"While I still cannot discuss the student concerns raised about the tutorial, everything that has happened since the meeting has given me occasion to rethink not only my approach to discussing the concerns that day, but many of the things I said in our meeting as well," he wrote.

In a tweet after the apologies were released by Laurier, Shepherd said, "Moral of the story: A university must be repeatedly publicly shamed, internationally, in order to apologize (oh, but keep the task force and investigation). Even then, ambiguous about free speech. Also, make sure to secretly record all meetings or they won't take you seriously."