WATERLOO — Laurier's graduate students' association says it is getting "direct personal threats" after it closed an on-campus café last week.

The operator of Veritas Café posted a tongue-in-cheek help-wanted ad online looking for a "slave" to help out at Wilfrid Laurier University's grad student hangout.

The students' association cancelled café operator Sandor Dosman's contract, and public outrage ensued.

Now the group says it is getting personal threats, according to a press release sent out Monday.

The situation appears to be so severe that an automated email reply from student association president, Samantha Deeming, reads:

"Unfortunately some of the messages received have been abusive and threatening in nature therefore all messages are being monitored by Laurier's Special Constable Service and the Waterloo Regional Police Service."

Jobs won't be lost, but Laurier café controversy lingers

Student group closes café over 'slave' joke

The students' association has not responded to any media requests.

Last week it said it will ensure students won't lose scheduled hours of work at the café following its closure. It aims to reopen the café eventually.

Dosman told The Record last week the cancelled contract meant he was out of a job just before Christmas. He said the ad was meant to be funny so he could attract new hires.

In Monday's press release, the students' association said that in any service contract "we would not sever the relationship without there having been clear opportunities for training, education, and personal growth throughout the duration of the contract."

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It said the group has "resisted" making any formal statements following advice from counsel, but felt "the need" to release this one following threats.

It can be found at the graduate students' association website.