Concordia student association settles with 'Mei Ling' for discrimination and harassment

The largest student association at Concordia University has reached a settlement with a former executive who accused it of discrimination and harassment based on her race.

The Arts and Science Federation of Associations(ASFA) will pay "Mei Ling" (a pseudonym) an undisclosed amount and issue an official apology.

"It validated the fact that this was inherently wrong, because part of the problem was that my environment at the time within ASFA is what I would describe as extremely toxic," said "Mei Ling", who has asked to remain anonymous.

"Mei Ling"had sought $30,000 in damages from ASFA'spresident and vice-president after shestumbled on a Facebook conversation between them that was left open on a shared computer. The conversation made sexist and racist remarks about her Chinese heritage, and included depictions of sexual violencedirected at her.

The Centre for Research-Action of Race Relations fileda complaint on her behalf with the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission in March.

"Mei Ling" also claimed she was excluded from executive events, was denied an award before submitting an application, and was the only executive to notreceive a bonus, CRARR said in a statement.

ASFA is also setting up a task force to deal with sexual violence and human rights complaints on campus.

The Quebec Human Rights Commission is still investigating separate complaints against the two men who made the disparaging remarks.