Archive for category: UVSS Statements

Transgender Day of Visibility Statement

/in

Today, March 31st, we recognize and honour Transgender Day of Visibility, a day dedicated to celebrating and uplifting transgender people while educating ourselves about gender diversity. This day is an opportunity to show solidarity, raise awareness, and fight for transgender individuals in our community and everywhere.

Transgender people face an ongoing and alarming wave of hostility and marginalization, especially in North America. This is not a new struggle, but it is one that has escalated in recent times. Across the United States and Canada, transphobic rhetoric and policies are being weaponized to create moral panics and target transgender individuals. Whether it’s attacks on healthcare access, the erasure of trans identities in policy, or the spreading of harmful myths, these actions are rooted in hate, fear, and a refusal to recognize the humanity and rights of transgender people.

As the UVSS, we want to be clear: we will never tolerate hate. We will always stand for inclusivity, respect, and the protection of trans lives. Regardless of the political landscape, no matter who holds power, we have a fiduciary duty to uphold our values — and that includes protecting transgender people from discrimination, harm, and erasure.

It is important to remember that the modern concept of “transgenderism” is a Western term that has become an umbrella to describe individuals whose gender identity or expression differs from their sex assigned at birth. However, this is not a new or unique concept. Before colonialism, many Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island had their own gender-diverse traditions, often encapsulated by the term “Two-Spirit,” a term meant to facilitate Indigenous Peoples connection with nation-specific expressions and roles of gender and sexual diversity.  Two-Spirit people were, and continue to be, integral members of Indigenous communities. It’s crucial to recognize that “Two-Spirit” is not synonymous with being transgender, but important to recognize how both challenge the colonial, binary understanding of gender.

When discussing the ongoing struggles for trans rights, we must also acknowledge the harm caused by colonialism in erasing and demonizing gender diversity, and that this history continues to impact how we view gender today.

Transgender people are not defined by their struggles. On Transgender Day of Visibility we celebrate the countless contributions of transgender people throughout history. From the trailblazing activism of figures like Rupert Raj and Sylvia Rivera, to the groundbreaking achievements of contemporary leaders like Aaron Devor, Aiyyana Maracle, Raquel Willis, and Alok Vaid-Menon, transgender individuals have always been at the forefront of social change, championing human rights and pushing for a more inclusive society. Transgender people have excelled in the arts, sciences, politics, and every other field, breaking barriers and bringing us the world we live in today. Their resilience, strength, and creativity have shaped the world we live in today and will continue to inspire generations to come.

However, while we celebrate these accomplishments, we must also recognize the harsh reality that “breaking barriers” should not be a requirement for simply existing. The fact that transgender people have had to fight for visibility, recognition, and basic human rights is a testament to the systemic barriers that continue to exist. Achievements and resilience should not be framed as extraordinary under oppression; they should be seen as a basic expectation of respect, equality, and access to opportunities for all people, regardless of gender identity. We cannot discount the immense hardship that transgender individuals face every day, and we must work toward a future where these barriers no longer exist—where people are able to live fully, authentically, and without fear or discrimination, simply for being who they are.

Today, and every day, we stand in solidarity with transgender people everywhere, and we renew our commitment to building a campus and a society where everyone, regardless of gender identity or expression, is valued, respected, and supported. Transgender people have always existed and will always exist, at UVic, in Canada, and everywhere.

 

In solidarity,

 

Bunni, Izzy, Hemal, Khushi and Sarah

 

Resource List:

Books: 

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

I’m Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya

Reclaiming Two-Spirits, Spirituality Renewal and Sovereignty in Native America by Gregory Smithers 

 

Movies: 

Paris is Burning 

I saw the TV Glow 

Will & Harper 

 

UVSS Services:

The Pride Collective 

The Gender Empowerment Centre

The Native Student Union

The Anti Violence Project 

Gender Affirming Healthcare Information

 

Community Services: 

The Queer Care Collective 

Rainbow Health Cooperative 

Heart and Hands Collective



UVSS Lead Director Self Locations

/in
Read more

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2024

/in

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day on Turtle Island. National Indigenous Peoples Day acknowledges the resilience of Indigenous communities and culture despite ongoing cis-hetero-patriarchal colonialism that strives to uphold systems of oppression through genocide, racism, land dispossession efforts and more. Their celebration is a form of resistance for the self determination that Indigenous communities demonstrate in preserving their diverse culture that North America continuously infringes on. 

Reconciliation is not just reflection but it requires meaningful action in the ways of being, knowing, and doing as we continue to exist on Indigenous lands. It is encouraged that students who are settlers recognize and reflect on their privilege to live and learn on the unceded, unsurrendered territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. Notably, those of us who are settlers living on these lands have a responsibility to understand that our continued presence on stolen lands showcases that the structure of colonialism continues to this day; colonialism is ongoing, not simply an event of the past (Tuck & Yang 2012).

It is important we recognize that academic institutions hold a unique position on Indigenous Peoples day as education in so-called Kanada was used to colonize Indigenous peoples through church funded residential schools. These schools were used to forcibly indoctrinate, shame, oppress and assimilate Indigenous children into Eurocentric and Christian ways of living. 

The University of Victoria bought their land for this campus from the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1960’s, therefore continuing the complicity of education being used to colonize the land. The Hudson’s Bay Company was one of the first companies established in so-called Kanada and profited from resource extraction and impediment on Indigenous lands and waters, using Indigenous labor and skills to do so. In 1892, they began the smallpox epidemic in Victoria through fur trading with Indigenous Peoples. In little more than a century, due to smallpox, the Indigenous peoples population had been slashed by 90 or 95 per cent (Great Bear Rainforest, 2018). The success of the Hudson’s Bay Company was rooted in capitalizing from Indigenous lands and waters through Indigenous labor, Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous governance. 

Therefore when UVic bought this land from one of the most powerful colonial powers that killed a majority of Indigenous Peoples in this province – they inherited that responsibility to rectify the relationships with Indigenous Peoples. To this day education is used to perpetuate the cycle of power to cis-hetero-patriarchal colonialism. It would be ignorant to assume that our education is decolonized and does not practice laws, behaviors, and policies that keep it alive and fed. Decolonization is a politically powerful movement that seeks to disrupt the colonial infrastructures and practices that negate Indigenous sovereignty. Decolonization is not land acknowledgments, having a quota for how many Indigenous Peoples are involved in your organization, or even having a participatory, advisory branch of Indigenous Peoples because these methods do not disrupt power. Those actions serve to reaffirm colonial institutions’ image as progressive rather than engaging in the liberatory movement centered on Indigenous sovereignty on their land, waters, and bodies on Turtle Island and beyond. 

As the UVSS continues to operate on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, we as the Board of Directors locate ourselves with, and acknowledge the profound privilege uninvited settlers have on this land. Our hearts and minds go out to the many Indigenous peoples around the globe who are currently facing genocide from western countries infringing onto their lands. The true work of decolonization is not over and we reaffirm our commitment to uplift Indigenous voices and sovereignty over their lands and bodies on Turtle Island and beyond. We commit to upholding our values of Decolonization and Social Justice, which guide our dedication to dismantling colonial structures in our personal lives, our workplaces, classrooms and communities for an equitable future for Indigenous peoples.

 

Today is not the only day we recognize Indigenous peoples but everyday we initiate these conversations as an organization to restore justice, decolonize and further equity on campus and into our communities.

 

Sincerely,

UVSS Board of Directors

 

Resources: 

  • Interactive map resources:
  • Listen: 
    • All My Relations Podcast
    • Métis in Space
    • Media Indigena
    • Stories from the Land
    • Unreserved
    • The Secret Life of Canada
  • Cited:
    • Tuck, E., & Yang, K. W. (2012). Decolonization is not a metaphor. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 1(1), 1-40.
    • History of Campus Planning – University of Victoria (uvic.ca)
    • The fur trade era, 1770s–1849. Great bear rainforest trust. (n.d.). https://greatbearrainforesttrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/5-Fur-Trade-Era-1770-1849.pdf

UVSS Statement – Trudeau x UVic Budget Visit

/in

On April 19th, we posted on our story voicing concerns regarding the visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, highlighting the 2024 Federal Budget. The press conference and subsequent Q&A session was held in the Center for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) on campus. We were not made aware of this event, as neither the Prime Minister nor the President’s Office communicated this visit to the UVic Students’ Society.

This visit to campus lacked significant student representation; no student organizations were present, and the students who were there were given limited time to prepare. Considering the impact of the Federal Budget on post-secondary students, this deliberate exclusion from important discussions and opportunities is unacceptable. Who better to advocate for student issues than students themselves?

The significance of this oversight is glaring and part of a consistent pattern of ignoring students’ concerns, especially in regards to divestment, international student fees, and the shuttering of McKinnon gym. We listened when you promised us a “culture of courage, trust, curiosity and flexibility” as a part of UVic’s 2023 Strategic Plan titled “Distinctly UVic.” So, while UVic can articulate in official documents their desire to hear from students, their actions consistently demonstrate a disregard for our authentic voices and open dialogue. As students, it’s clear that what is truly “Distinctly UVic” is the consistent choice to exclude students from decision-making.

We ask that UVic notifies the UVSS of any meetings with government officials, with a minimum 24 hours notice, or as soon as reasonably possible.

UVic, student voices matter! No student input, no visit!

In solidarity,
UVSS Board of Directors

UVSS Governance Review

/in

The UVSS is run for students, by students. We strive to continually improve how the UVSS supports students — the students who run it, and the students who are served by it. 

This means ensuring that the work we do is sustainable, represents students, truly supports student well-being, and is guided by equity, diversity, and inclusion. We have heard loud and clear from students that these are the issues that exist within the current board structure, and we are undertaking steps to make sure that these issues are addressed in a meaningful way. 

For this reason, we are undertaking a governance review to explore options to see how we can best run the UVSS, in order to improve how we support students. We are seeking an independent third-party with expertise in student governance, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and/or the non-profit sector to conduct this review. From it, we are looking to gain a holistic, comprehensive, and evidence-based understanding of what board structure would most effectively support our mission. 

In 2021, the UVSS completed an equity assessment of the UVSS Board of Directors, the UVSS has received several recommendations from both the UVSS Board and its staff on how to incorporate EDI into the organization. This governance review will guide our implementation of EDI recommendations.

We will also be looking to learn from student society board structures across the country. We’ll be exploring how UVSS Faculty Directors — a new governance change approved at the February 2022 UVSS SAGM — can meaningfully represent and advocate for their constituents.

The UVSS is here to support students in all areas of student life. We want to find the best way to achieve our mission of enhancing the student experience (through services, advocacy, and events) and building a campus community that embodies our values (decolonization, social justice, environmental sustainability, good governance, excellence, and fun). We anticipate that the work on this governance review will begin in May 2022, and that we will be in a position to begin implementing the recommendations from the review starting May 2023.

Ukrainian Student Supports

/in
Read more

November Update

/in

Hey folks,

How’s everyone’s November going? Looks like it’s my turn to spread around some good ol’ fashioned UVSS Board propaganda. Campaigns always has a lot on the go but this November has been a doozy.

Your new Peer Support Center is doing absolutely fabulous. I’ve been sneaking down to the space during my lunch to steal cookies. The space keeps looking nicer and nicer — we have a mini bonsai in there now!

As well, the opening of our Friday Wellness Space programming (shout out to the Office of Student Life for $$$$ and support) has been super exciting. We have a crochet workshop in there tomorrow…PLUS next month is a macrame workshop. Pretty sure I can make something to decorate my office with. “Tangled string on a wall” = my new #aesthetic.

Our first Safer Use workshop went great too. Annie Lucas (RN(C), BscN) is just the Nicest Person and we ended up having about 15 people attend. At 2:30 on a Tuesday. I’m impressed folks. Everyone walked away with Naloxone kits and free oreos, booyah. We have round 2 scheduled for the 3rd at 3:30 in the Upper Lounge Boardroom. ??? Plus a talk about cannabis use during midterm season…5:30-7 on the 4th, same place.

Rent with Rights has been busy as well- I’m trying to type up a press release right now following the announcement last week about the new UVic Residence. I think it’s great news that we’ll be getting a net increase of 620 beds on campus. But that also means that now’s a great time to highlight some of the issues that students living on campus face…ie. not having tenancy rights.

I’ll be attending a BC Student Housing Working Group with Jeanne Sedun (Ministry of Advanced Ed) and representatives of student unions/coalitions across BC on January 21st. The intent will be to discuss leading practices in student housing agreements. If you have any input please feel free to contact me! 🙂

I’m starting to run out of space so I guess I’ll just quickly mention that THANKS TO THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO FILLED OUT THE UVSS SURVEY it looks like we’ll be able to get a opt-in summer bus pass. BC Transit just said that they’re not bringing any new agenda items onto the commission’s agenda in December due to current vacancies in the commission…so it’s on February’s agenda, which means the logistics may not be finished for this summer. But I’ll continue to try to push it forward as quickly as possible!

Thanks for reading my rambling and I look forward to talking to you folks (especially at Mental Health Awareness Week!).

Take care of yourself.

-Ainsley

 

The Lead Directors Weigh-In on Faculty Representation

/in

For:

No one’s ever surprised by the lack of engagement in UVSS elections. You can find Martlet articles dating back to the sixties talking about student apathy and a general distaste for student politics. One aspect of apathy is the consistent lack of candidates running from different faculties and areas of campus. While certain groups like Human and Social Development, Law, Education, and Fine Arts haven’t sent a Director to the Board in a few years, 29% of students on campus are in the Social Sciences, but generally make up around 70% of the Directors elected.

The result is that the students most often asked to vote, given classroom talks, and otherwise participate in elections only come from a narrow slice of campus and won’t always understand what other parts of the student body want from their student society. The proposed solution up for debate at the UVSS Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to create Director seats on the Board that are tied to faculty in order to ensure that every faculty can bring their perspective to the Board.

Focusing on the AGM proposal more specifically, the model reflects the composition for students on the UVic Senate; 1 director per faculty, and 5 at-large directors. It’s a common model which you can see at other student unions like the UBC Alma Mater Society and Simon Fraser Student Society. The five at-large seats allow undeclared students to run, as well as providing room on the Board to allow candidates who might not have won their faculty seats, but still received high vote totals overall to also be elected.

There’s a few nagging doubts some people might have about the proposal. Often, UVic Senate student seats in certain faculties don’t have students run for them, or have students acclaimed. Some people could attribute this to the faculty model; however, I would point to a lack of advertisement and disengagement from those elections. Voter turnout for Senate elections is poor even compared to the 15-20% turnout for UVSS elections with just 6% turnout  last election. With a higher profile and overall better advertisement, I would expect most if not all positions to have multiple candidates running in them.

Wouldn’t it make sense for Poli-Sci students to do Student Politics? Well not quite, on the face of it the UVSS may seem to be focused on campaigning for student issues, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. We manage the Health & Dental Plan for 12,000 students, several businesses, over 200 employees (the majority of which are students), clubs, course unions, and to a lesser extent several affiliated groups, advocacy groups, and Professional Development Unions. Even campaigns can often change from year to year depending on the perspectives on the Board. It’s a lot of responsibility and I wouldn’t think that an understanding of international political theory would help in any of that.

Governance reform is long, dry, and often boring. I can’t summarize everything here, but I hope to have piqued your interest enough to come, ask questions, and vote on Faculty Representation the 11th of October at 2:30pm in Vertigo.

–Pierre-Paul Angleblazer
Director of Outreach and University Relations

Against:

One of the most interesting proposed motions for this year’s UVSS Annual General Meeting speaks to students’ desires for electoral reform in the UVSS; faculty representation. Among student unions in Canada, UVSS stands apart: flat executive hierarchy with no President or Vice-Presidents, an operational versus governance board that is more adaptable than large councils, and every director position open to students regardless of faculty, department, or academic year.

The proposed resolution seeks to amend the bylaws to turn the eleven Director-At-Large positions into nine Faculty Directors and five Director-At-Large positions. Students could run directly for the Director-At-Large positions or for their faculty position and candidates in the latter would have their votes count towards the former if their bid for Faculty Director is unsuccessful. This system presents a few problems:

First, this change would add unnecessary complexity to elections at the UVSS. Students are already disinterested in elections and UVSS activities and this would only exacerbate the problem. Undeclared students would be limited to fewer positions and the votes of advocacy group representatives on the board, of which there are five, would be diluted by the expansion of its voting members. There’s also the potential that these positions might undermine the respective course union and Professional Development Union executives within the faculties who already advocate for students in their departments and faculties.

Faculties such as Law, Education, and Engineering prepare students for specific professional degrees and have stricter requirements for their programs. Co-ops and difficult classes with full workloads limit students in these faculties from participation in UVSS elections and Board governance. The number of students that are willing and able to volunteer their time with the UVSS from these faculties would likely be much lower than a large faculty such as Social Science, which could lead to only one candidate running.

This ties in with what is probably the largest issue with faculty representation: the potential for overrepresentation and underrepresentation. Social Science is by far the largest faculty with nearly 30% of undergraduate students. Next up are Engineering and Science with 16% each. On the other end, Law is the smallest with only 2% of students. Education and Fine Arts are not that much larger with 6% of undergraduate students each. The resolution on the agenda for the AGM would give each of the nine faculties the same number of dedicated seats (just one) regardless of size. Governance is currently set up so that no student would be barred from running, as perhaps it would be valuable to have a Law student on the Board; however, the proposed resolution would limit the field of candidates and restrict eligible positions.

When it comes down to it, it’s up to students, as UVSS members, to decide how they want to choose how to be represented in the governance structure of the UVSS. This is one of many options for electoral reform so come out on October 11th, 2:30pm in Vertigo to the AGM have your voice heard!

–Curtis Whittla
Director of Finance and Operations