I am not writing this letter while waiting for a response. I am sure you have been inundated with it in relation to the current situation at Laurentian. However, I hope you can take a few minutes to read my post and think about its meaning.

First of all, I will introduce myself. My name is Mateo Casas Jimenez and I am a proud graduate of Laurentian University. I obtained my BA with a specialization in music and a major in French studies as well as a B.ED (Intermediate/superior).

Now that you know what I have studied, you have probably realized that the aforementioned programs, all, have recently been dropped. It is a great pity and a huge loss, not only for Laurentian University, but also for the community of Sudbury and the region of Northern Ontario.

At Laurentian, I had the privilege of immersing myself in the flourishing francophone community of the North. I have learned many lessons from the fabulous faculties of department studies french and the department of science education.

The professors of these faculties taught me the importance of having access to French-speaking education and inspired me to join them in the fight to promote their language and their culture. I have witnessed the jewel that is the Francophone community of the North, and it is as dynamic as it is inclusive.

During my time at Laurentian, I, Mateo Enrique Casas Jimenez, Colombian by birth, became Franco-Ontarian by choice.

Now let me comment on the issue under consideration. While I don’t know the details of Laurentian’s current economic turmoil, I can probably assume you’ve inherited it from the mismanagement of the previous administration.

Having said that, this circumstance does not exonerate you from all responsibility regarding both the economic viability of the university, which I can assume is your priority at the moment, and the culture and history of the institution.

The latter, the history of Laurentian, being the element that your administration may have deliberately ignored? But maybe not.

I thought about it and concluded that it is impossible that you did not foresee the consequences of the recent decisions of your administration. Robert Chopped. It seems French to me. It is impossible that you do not know that you are playing with fire; the fire within the Franco-Ontarian community.

Do you remember what happened when the government decided to close the Montfort Hospital? Never heard of the crisis school from Sturgeon Falls? And the crisis school of Penetanguishene? Should I continue?

Let me remind you: here are a few of your own words from your inaugural address in 2019:

“We must seize the opportunity to be the Francophone voice of university education in Northern Ontario in order to increase the influence and impact of French and to disseminate the opportunities of language and culture. French. A strong voice to strengthen the French language and culture. With a strong voice to support the growth of Francophone communities in our vast region. “

In your speech, you demonstrated your awareness and understanding of the importance of Francophone education in the North and of your responsibility to maintain and promote Franco-Ontarian culture as well as the French language.

Perhaps you knew that inciting Franco-Ontarian pride would help save Laurentian? Here’s hopefully that’s the case.

Mateo Casas Jimenez
Laurentian graduate
Ottawa