Community Safety
Community safety update #2 re: external, unauthorized individual and violence on September 16
We are writing with an update regarding the injury of a York University student at Yorkfest on September 16.
As stated in the earlier notice about this incident and as expressed by President Lenton at the start of the Town Hall on September 18, this incident is deeply troubling to all who care about our university community and study, work, and live on York campuses. We are committed to protecting all York community members and promoting their safety including through our policies and procedures. This update reiterates key facts about the incident and outlines steps we have taken since then.
First, we wish to state clearly that York had no prior knowledge that a student club had engaged external security personnel or that they would be on campus last week. This was not consistent with university policy under which the presence of third-party security personnel on campus requires university approval in advance.
The University is pursuing this matter in several ways:
- We are undertaking a thorough review of the incident.
- We have issued a temporary trespass notice, to be in effect at least until the completion of our review, to the unauthorized security guard.
- We are reviewing steps to be implemented to raise awareness of the requirement that use of external security requires prior university authorization.
- We are working to provide supports to all those affected by this incident including the injured student.
Finally, we want to express our appreciation to those who witnessed this incident and helped to avert further escalation and potentially greater harm. We hope that you and any other community members affected by this incident are receiving support. Community members are encouraged to take up resources available to you here: Well-being Resources | York University.
We will continue to give this matter our full attention and will keep the York community updated about our ongoing review and further response.
Community safety update re: external individual and violence on September 16, 2025
The University is deeply disturbed about an incident that occurred during the Yorkfest Festival Village event on the Keele Campus on September 16, 2025, hosted by the York Federation of Students. The incident involved a physical altercation between an individual with no affiliation to the University and a York student, who was injured. The University is ensuring that the student is supported.
York University has policies and procedures to ensure that events on campus are safe for all community members. Guided by these policies and procedures, the University will be undertaking a thorough review of this matter. We ask for patience and cooperation while we undertake this review.
York’s Community Safety security staff are governed by strict policies, procedures, and defined limitations. The use of physical force is permitted only under exceptional circumstances, and in such cases, Toronto Police Services must be contacted first.
The University does not permit private security on our campuses without prior approval. The University is now working closely with student groups and the YFS and through relevant University offices to ensure a thorough and impartial review. We understand that Toronto Police were called and are also investigating. Any complaints received regarding the matter, will be reviewed under relevant University policies.
Protecting the safety and wellbeing of all community members is imperative in order for the University to serve its mission to promote learning through open and respectful dialogue. We appreciate and support the hard work of our student groups to foster student life and will continue to work with them as valuable campus partners.