Hacker infiltrates a U of G Zoom lecture, making racist remarks heard by instructors and students, days after the University announces its anti-racism action plan
On Sept. 30, the University of Guelph reported that an online Zoom class had been hacked by an unknown individual who made derogatory comments heard by class attendees.
A video of the incident was circulating on social media, but has since been deleted.
In an email to The Ontarion, Deirdre Healey, news service manager at the U of G, said that the hacker originated “outside of the University, and that they took measures to cloak their identity.”
“While unfortunate and upsetting, this type of incident is occurring at many other institutions, businesses and organizations utilizing online collaboration tools during these challenging times … We are putting more restrictive default Zoom settings into place,” Healey said.
However, the incident has already made an impact on members of the student body.
“I felt horrible for the students and the instructor in the class who had to hear that and have their learning environment disrupted so inappropriately.”
— Tyler Poirier, president of the CSA
After coming across the incident on Instagram, Tyler Poirier, president of the Central Student Association (CSA) at the University, told The Ontarion via email his experience watching the video: “[It] shocked me, especially as the remarks made were far from what aligns with our Gryphon Values. I felt horrible for the students and the instructor in the class who had to hear that and have their learning environment disrupted so inappropriately.”
Poirier also said that the video depicted approximately 10 seconds of the incident and that the hacker’s profane and racist remarks were made in response to a student’s participation in the class.
“Not only were the comments disruptive, but hurtful for students to be subjected to,” Poirier said.
While Healey stated that the hack was initiated by someone outside the University, the attack emphasizes the need to confront prejudice on campus.
On Sept. 28, president and vice-chancellor of the University Charlotte Yates released an action plan to combat racism and promote inclusion.
“We know that we have fallen short, that gaps remain and injustices have occurred affecting members of our Black campus community and other equity-seeking groups,” Yates said in the release.
“The University of Guelph, like other public institutions, has an obligation to pay attention to historical and ongoing injustice and racism, both on our campus and beyond. We must address it and play an active role in creating a more just and equitable society.”
According to the release, the action plan includes recommendations made by students, faculty, staff and community members, and will include a President’s Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism that will comprise at least 70 per cent representation from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC).
The plan is a working document which will be updated as the committee consults on it, but as of now, some of the anti-racism action plan’s current goals include:
- Developing a BIPOC hiring plan that addresses gaps in representation among staff and faculty;
- Creating scholarships for BIPOC students;
- Rolling out the $200,000 Inclusion Enhancement Fund for initiatives to create equity and inclusion on campus;
- Providing anti-racism and anti-bias training for senior University leaders, and;
- Developing a Black studies minor.
Growing awareness of racial discrimination world-wide has made incentives addressing racism — like U of G’s action plan — possible, but incidents like the hack emphasize that there is more to be done to prevent similar attacks from happening again.
“This incident highlights the need for increased technological security for synchronous courses at the University of Guelph,” Poirier said.
“I also encourage Gryphons affected by the incident to reach out to supports as necessary. The CSA and University of Guelph have various counselling and mental health support services available, and make sure to be extra kind to those around you in a time where everyone can use some extra kindness.“
Nominations for the presidential advisory committee will open in the fall and will be co-chaired by Yates and Prof. Lawrence Hill, renowned author and racial equality advocate.
Further, Healey stated that the University will keep the lecture hack file open and pursue investigative support from Zoom.
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