The beginning of Wednesday’s Senate meeting focused heavily on the events of Nov. 10. In a departure from Senate’s tradition of a closed-door assembly, the first hour was streamed live over the Internet to the McGill community.

In her opening remarks, Senate Chair and Principal Heather Munroe-Blum apologized for the events that took place on Nov. 10. It was one of the first public apologies from the administration on the way that night’s events unfolded.

“We’re all dismayed by what happened on our campus,” Munroe-Blum said. “People across the board were hurt, intimidated, and threatened. As principal of McGill, I’m deeply sorry that events so at odds with the culture and values of our university, and so hurtful to so many, have happened here at McGill.”

She went on to express her thanks for student groups who mobilized quickly in response to those who were physically and emotionally hurt.

Dean of Law, Daniel Jutras, who will be heading an independent investigation into the events, reminded senators that his inquiry will purely engage in fact finding, and that he could not assign blame or compel testimony.

As Jutras spoke, a number of spectators turned their backs to the committee, expressing their reservations with having a faculty and administration member carry out an investigation that deals with his own administration.

In an interview with the Tribune, the McGill Daily, and Le Délit last week, Munroe-Blum emphasized that Jutras would act independently.

“I wanted someone who has deep loyalty and concern for the university and the wellbeing of everyone in it, and yet who is known for impartiality [and] independence,” she said of her decision to appoint Jutras. “He’s got complete autonomy, he doesn’t report to me in the course of doing this investigation … and I have confidence that he will serve the university, not any one individual.”

A number of senators, including Senator and Professor of Communication Studies, Darin Barney, noted their own concerns with having a dean and faculty member carry out the investigation. Barney suggested that Jutras be accompanied by one student and one faculty member in his investigation. The terms of the investigation, however, had already  been set.

As part of the discussion, Management Senator Tom Acker recounted his experience on the evening of Nov. 10.

“I watched close friends in pain as they tried to wash pepper spray out of their eyes. I’ve seen students on the verge of tears when describing what has happened to them,” he said. “I know that for many students, Thursday marks the day that they stopped seeing their campus as a safe space for self-expression and support. For me, that transition has happened much earlier.”

SSMU President Maggie Knight raised concerns as to why the administration had not responded with more urgency to support students, and took a number of days to inform students of where they could seek help.  She noted that, following the earthquake in Japan last spring, a notice of where students could seek help was distributed within hours.

Towards the end of the committee discussion, Provost Anthony Masi presented what he had witnessed that night. Referring to the occupiers’ entry as an ‘attack,’ he described the occupation of the fifth floor as one marked by violence and intimidation.

“You may turn your backs on the truth, but the truth is important,” he said to the spectators who had turned away from him.

“The women who were in the offices [at] the time, and there only were several women in at the time, were pushed and shoved,” he continued. “They were frightened and they were crying. Social media [was] being used to portray events inside that do not correspond to what most of those women were living through at the moment.”

During Masi’s account, spectators, some of whom were identified as occupiers, jeered and yelled “lies.” Matt Crawford, Arts Senator, who had earlier revealed himself to senate as a fifth floor occupier, walked out in response to Masi’s statement. Other spectators followed.

Dean Jutras’ investigation will be released on Dec. 15. In the weeks to come, he will be consulting with students, faculty, and community members to hear their experiences.