McGill wants to “rebrand”
McGill University is looking at spending between half a million and $6 million on rebranding itself. Stressful moves from the Quebec government, Middle East issues coming home to roost on the front lawn, and pressure from Indigenous groups over the Royal Vic project are all named.
Nothing is mentioned here about divesting from companies with ties to Israel (item from 2024) although it committed to “exploring” the possibility (also 2024). It’s not easy to find out whether they ever carried through on equally airy promises to consider divesting from fossil fuels.
Besides this would be washing their hands of James McGill, as discussed on the blog previously.
Making it clear that the university had a clear conscience on these matters would be the best rebrand, rather than cosmetic procedures costing millions.
Tim S. 21:20 on 2025-07-18 Permalink
Maybe if McGill ripped out its lawn and replaced it with a concrete waste land (like say, Westmount Square) protestors would find someone else to blame for all the failings of capitalism.
MarcG 09:28 on 2025-07-19 Permalink
Pretty sure it has more to do with students feeling a responsibility for, and ability to influcen, the behavior of their school rather than the comfort of the premises.
Joey 11:22 on 2025-07-19 Permalink
I am not sure how the university can credibly argue that it’s underfunded when it’s spending $7M on branding. I am very sure that this kind of thing will encourage the provincial government to feel justified that the English higher ed institutions have too much money.
Ian 21:33 on 2025-07-19 Permalink
I’m not going to defend grossly inflated branding and marketing budgets, but given the majpor losses that McGill is facing for enrollment, they have to at least try.