“Our phased reopening aims to reduce, where possible, the risk of further illegal occupations or vandalism,” the university said this week.
McGill University says it is gradually reopening its downtown campus after closing it to the general public following the dismantlement of a pro-Palestinian encampment two weeks ago.
Security personnel have been in place checking staff and students’ university ID cards and directing them toward specific access points.
“Our phased reopening aims to reduce, where possible, the risk of further illegal occupations or vandalism such as we saw on June 6 and July 5,” a McGill spokesperson told The Gazette this week, alluding to how protesters occupied a building and later smashed windows at the university.
“This approach also provides the time and space needed to stabilize the campus and provide all members of the community the time and space needed to regroup,” the spokesperson added.
The university also needed time to “restore the physical state of our private property and its operations.”
According to an update posted to McGill’s website, access to campus will be further easing throughout next week and lower campus will be open this weekend. University identification or a letter signed by a dean or administrator will still be required for students.
McGill says it intends to have its campus completely reopened by student orientation in August.