I signed the letter because of two words: due process. A student who has a complaint is entitled to due process, that is, to a process that is clear, transparent, impartial and thorough to deal with that complaint. A professor who faces an accusation is also entitled to due process. And last but not least, an institution is entitled to due process. UBC dealt with the Galloway affair in a manner shrouded in secrecy. There did not appear to be due process, and there certainly was no transparency. Perhaps this is only a communications problem. If UBC would make clear why they did what they did, following what guidelines, then people would be a lot less upset. But UBC hasn’t done that, yet.
In the meanwhile, let me make an apology. I have no love for the patriarchy and no interest in defending over-privileged white males. By signing I did not mean to silence any woman, or belittle any assault on any woman’s dignity, integrity or body. My intent was precisely the opposite. I signed the letter to empower women (and others) by advocating for due process. But I didn’t fully consider all the implications of the wording of the letter. For that, I am sorry.
I do wish UBC would say something.