14 January 2024
Call to Reaffirm University Commitments

To Bill Flanagan

cc: Verna Yiu, Carrie Smith, Florence Glanfield, Bishoi Aziz

As the University enters 2024 following a year of high productivity in relation to new institutional strategic plans, EDI commitments, and a resurgence of events following the COVID pandemic, I would like to call upon all members of the University to set intentions in ensuring the year starts off in a good way.

Many groups on campus have advocated for the importance of freedom of speech as a method to spark meaningful conversations between students and scholars, but these freedoms cannot be used to endorse or promote racist, transphobic, or discriminatory actions and ways of thought. The University cannot be tolerant of harassment toward any of our students conducted under the guise of free speech. Disguising hateful, untrue, and harmful rhetoric in this way is a common tactic often used by groups that champion discriminatory thoughts and behaviour, and I strongly and wholeheartedly condemn any and all events that directly or indirectly threatens the cultural, emotional, and/or physical safety of our students. Further, as an institution that has pledged itself to meaningful reconciliation and decolonization, the University must recognize that to be silent in the face of discrimination is to condone and uphold harmful colonial patterns. A stance of neutrality symbolizes to students that the University promotes hateful speech, and legitimizes racist and transphobic ideology.

In the 2023-2024 strategic work plan, the GSA has indicated its commitment to reconciliaction in meaningful and tangible ways. Continuous, proactive, and intentional efforts must be made to create and foster brave spaces, wherein our transgender, Black, and Indigenous colleagues can not only attend but celebrate and be celebrated for their whole selves in all aspects of the graduate student experience— including at social and academic events. I encourage the GSA and University leadership to attend student-organized events designed to foster a more inclusive environment, such as the:

• “Truth Before Reconciliation: How to Identify and Confront Residential School Denialism” webinar by Dr. Sean Carleton on January 18, from 3:30-4pm in FAB 2-20.

The University echoes many of the GSA’s commitments through multiple venues, including in several strategic plans wholly of the University’s creation, including SHAPE, A Culture of Care, the Student Experience Action Plan, and Braiding Past, Present, and Future. These are further reflected in external commitments the University has made to advancing the 94 calls of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, as well as the Scarborough Charter. To ensure 2024 is a year of visible and meaningful action, I would like to call upon the University to action their commitments through meaningful, visible, and tangible actions that demonstrates to all students, staff, faculty, and community members, that the University of Alberta is committed to creating an equitable and safe study environment that will not tolerate discrimination and harassment.

56
signatures
55 verified
  1. Tiffany Kung
  2. Bishoi Aziz, PhD student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  3. Meagan Miller, Graduate student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  4. Hannah Louis, Graduate Student, University of Albeta, Edmonton
  5. Benjamin Kucher, Co-President, Indigenous Graduate Students Association, Edmonton
  6. Nazmul Arefin, PhD Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  7. Sadie Tremblay, MA Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  8. YAN XUE, Edmonton
  9. Luke Wonneck, PhD Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  10. Kaitlyn Budgell, MA student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  11. Emma Chambers, MSc student, University of Alberta
  12. Audrey Medwayosh, MA Student, Edmonton
  13. Erin Simpson, Graduate student, Edmonton
  14. Aidan Blockley, MA Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  15. Alexandra Gagnon, MA Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  16. Raven, Student, Edmonton
  17. Ashley Turner, President, Indigenous Medical and Dental Students Association, Edmonton
  18. Rogan Alexis, Student, University of Alberta
  19. Auriele Volk, MD student, Indigenous Medical and Dental Students Association, Edmonton
  20. Sophie Martel, VP Operations, Indigenous Students Union, Edmonton
  21. Courtney Hebert, MD Student, Indigenous Medical & Dental Student Association
  22. Emily Bonanni, Student, Sherwood Park
  23. Dr. Paulina Johnson, Assistant Professor, University of Alberta, Treaty 6
  24. Kira Eberts, Medical student, Edmonton
  25. Anya Smolny, Undergraduate Student, University of Alberta, St. Albert
  26. Fisayo Aruleba, MD student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  27. Elenna LaPlante, Medical Student, Indigenous Medical & Dental Students Association, Edmonton
  28. Saleh Handoo, Medical student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  29. Hanna Hunter, Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  30. Emma Snow, Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  31. Cassidy wambold, Undergraduate student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  32. Alana L’Hirondelle, Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  33. Chantelle Chornohus, Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  34. Rachel Loerke, e-commerce, Edmonton
  35. Jess Britton, MD Student, Indigenous Medical and Dental Students' Association, Edmonton
  36. Elizah McColl, VP External, ISU, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  37. Hannah Blackwell, Undergraduate student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  38. Brooklyn Mankasingh, Research Coordinator, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  39. Victor Olsen, VP Consultation & Engagement, Indigenous Students' Union, Edmonton
  40. Olesya Kochkina, PhD student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  41. Emily Quecke, PhD Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  42. Waniza Wasi, Undergraduate Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  43. Cadence Dion, Undergraduate Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  44. Jessica Zhang, Medical Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  45. Salem Zurch, Creative Director, Edmonton
  46. Daniela Carbajal, UofA Student, Edmonton
  47. Amber Davis, University Student, Victoria
  48. Sarah Alemu, Outreach Director, APIRG, Edmonton
  49. Erin Laura O'Neil, Alumni, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  50. Olivia Albert, Student, Indigenous Medical and Dental Students’ Association, Edmonton
  51. Saliha Riaz, Undergraduate Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  52. Tristan Turner, Director of Operations, APIRG, Edmonton
  53. Jaysin Masse, Alumnus, University of Alberta, Edmonton
  54. Sarah Mann, student, department of anthropology, st.albert
  55. Rebecca Gray, PhD Candidate, University of Alberta, Edmonton
Create an open letter
and sign it together
Terms of Service