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Thu June 4

CSU condemns anti-Black racism and stands in solidarity with those demanding justice

admin2020-06-04T14:04:31-07:00June 4th, 2020|Blog|

We stand in solidarity and support with members of the Capilano University community who may be grieving or in distress due to recent events in both Canada and the United States. We stand in solidarity and in anger with Black leaders, organizers, and all those protesting as they demand justice and rally for an end to systemic racism. We condemn the relentless violence that Black people face due to systemic oppression, it must stop.

Black Lives Matter.

We will not, after a week of rage, sit down and be quiet. We will not look south of the border and shake our heads, refusing to acknowledge the history of police violence and systemic oppression within our own country. Systemic racism is rooted in colonial systems – the RCMP was created to force Indigenous peoples off their land and police their way of life. Black people and Indigenous people in Canada face disproportionate levels of police violence and incarceration.

This is white supremacy in action and it is not contained within one country’s borders.

As a predominantly white organization, we commit ourselves to doing anti-racism education and work, and providing opportunities to educate all Capilano University students and community members. We commit to looking inward and dismantling unconscious biases within our own organizational structure and procedures. We commit to amplifying Black and melanated voices through our programming and service delivery. We commit to doing the ongoing work necessary to dismantle white supremacy and colonialism in our community, and challenging others to do the same.

Black love, families, art, voices, LGBTQ2S+ rights, and futures matter.

#BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForRegis

Resources

Support

CSU Students of Colour Liaison
Feven Kidane, the CSU’s students of colour liaison, identifies as a Black woman and encourages members of the Black community to reach out at [email protected] if they need support.

Black Youth Helpline
The Black Youth Helpline focuses on community development and support for Black youth across Canada. They are available by phone, email, or social media.

Capilano University Health & Counselling Services
During Capilano University’s reduction of on-campus services, counselling appointments may be booked via phone (604.984.1744) and email ([email protected]).

Empower Me Mental Health Resources
Empower Me, a mental health and wellness service offered through the CSU’s health and dental plan provider, provides access to professionals with various domains of expertise to support you and respond effectively to diverse needs. Services are available via secure telephone- or video-conferencing. Capilano students can call Empower Me’s 24-hour helpline at 1.833.648.5589.

BC Mental Health Support Line
BC Mental Health Support Line is available at 310.6789 (do not add 604, 778 or 250 before the number). This number will connect you to your local BC crisis line without a wait or busy signal, 24 hours a day. Crisis line workers are trained to help provide emotional support as well as mental health information and resources.

Allyship & Antiracism Resources

How To Be Actively Antiracist
This resources list, adapted from a Google Document curated by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein, is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen their anti-racism work.

Guide to Allyship
The Guide to Allyship is an evolving open-source guide to help you become a more thoughtful and effective ally.

Anti-Racism Tools for Educators
This resource list was developed for educators interested in teaching the histories and present-day realities of race and racism in Canada. It is curated by the Anti-Racism Resource Centre, based in Peterborough, Ontario.

10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship
This 10-step guide created by writer and activist Mireille Cassandra Harper as a starting point for those interested in becoming allies.

Local and Canadian

Black Lives Matter Vancouver
Black Lives Matter’s Vancouver chapter can be found here.
Website • Facebook • Donation Link

Hogan’s Alley Society
Hogan’s Alley Society is a non-profit organization committed to researching, preserving, and publicizing black history in Vancouver and BC.

Black in BC Community Support Fund for COVID-19
This fundraiser provides low-barrier, emergency, micro-grants for black people in BC who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Justice for Regis Fundraiser
This fundraiser raises money to fight for justice for Regis Korchinski-Paquet, who died while being pursued by police in Toronto.

Tue April 21

Capilano Students’ Union commits $75,000 to emergency financial aid for domestic and international students

admin2020-04-21T16:10:04-07:00April 21st, 2020|Blog, COVID-19, Media Advisories|

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC — The Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) is committing $75,000 to support students as they come under increasing financial pressure during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funds will be used to increase access to low-barrier emergency financial assistance for both domestic and international students at Capilano University.

“One of the top concerns we’ve been hearing from students is financial uncertainty,” said CSU president Emily Bridge. “We are hopeful that this funding will provide some relief during what has been a very difficult time for many students.”

Capilano University’s financial aid department will administer distribution of the new funds, which will be used to ensure that emergency financial assistance can be provided to a greater number of both domestic and international students.

“International students face unique challenges, and borders do not exist in the context of this public health emergency, so it’s important that the funding made available is accessible to everyone, regardless of where they come from,” continued Bridge.

In addition to releasing emergency funding, the CSU has adapted many of its public-facing programs and services to be delivered online during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Facebook group Capilano Quarantine Corner was created to give students a platform to connect online during the current period of physical distancing. Community Cupboard, the organization’s food bank program, now offers free grocery store gift cards to those in need. Device Doctor, the personal electronics repair service that is free-to-use for students, now offers software support by phone and no-contact hardware drop-off and pick-up.

Mon March 30

CSU seeks academic accommodations from university, continues digital adaptation of services

admin2020-03-30T11:06:49-07:00March 30th, 2020|Blog, COVID-19|

A MESSAGE FROM CSU PRESIDENT EMILY BRIDGE

We’ve received a lot of communication from students expressing concern about not having heard much from the university as the end of the semester approaches. The CSU is governed by students, so your fears, concerns, and worries are ours as well. We are in continued communication with university and will be meeting with them this week, so we’ll be bringing your concerns to them and reporting back to you. On Friday, the CSU board of directors passed a strong statement in favour of academic accommodations for the spring and summer, which can be found here.

We continue to liaise with all levels of government and will be conveying all pertinent information to students as we get it. To help keep you as informed as possible, we have compiled a summary of resources related to the COVID-19 public health crisis that are available from various levels of government, universities, and external organizations. We will be updating this page with newly announced resources being made available to students, in as timely manner as possible. Please continue to refer to official sources, for the most up-to-date, accurate information.

The CSU has continued to adapt its programming and services to be delivered online. Our board of directors and staff have shifted to meeting and working remotely in alignment with guidance from public health agencies and will continue to support and represent students at Capilano University.

Services

The Community Cupboard service is presently being administered completely online, offering grocery store gift cards to those in need rather than its usual food bags. We aim to limit access to this service once per semester but will aim to work with students to provide as much support as we can. To access the Community Cupboard, please fill out the request form found here and someone will be in touch with you shortly.

The Device Doctor personal electronics repair service is still available to students. Technical support is available via phone (call or text) at 778.360.2545 or by email. For hardware repairs, we are prepared to make arrangements for no-contact drop-off and pick-up. As usual, students only pay the price of parts — labour is free!

The CSU Health and Dental Plan is operating for students as normal. You are welcome to reach out to us or Studentcare if you have questions about your plan.

Advocacy & Campaigns

The CSU led a team of 10 BC students groups in demanding a rent freeze and eviction ban during the COVID-19 public health emergency. While we were pleased to see the premier declare a suspension of evictions and rent increases less than 24 hours later, the announcement fell short of a full freeze on rent payments.

Volunteer opportunities for Cap International Tuition (Cap IT), the campaign to lobby Capilano University to officially adopt a policy capping international tuition at 2%, have moved online. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to sign the petition.

The CSU, alongside other student societies and post-secondary institutions, is exploring the feasibility of lobbying TransLink to provide refunds for unused months of the U-Pass BC discount transit pass. We are currently in communication with TransLink and will provide updates as soon as we can.

Events & Community

While CSU-organized in-person events are cancelled for the remainder of the semester, we are developing a variety of online methods of community-building for Capilano students.

In addition to stepping up our online presence on our traditional social media, we’ve also created Capilano Quarantine Corner — a Facebook group for Capilano students to connect online during this period of social distancing. Online events like Netflix viewing parties, contests, and virtual trivia games aim to provide an opportunity for the Capilano student community to practice social solidarity. Please join in!

We are developing a series of virtual workshops, such as nutrition and meal-planning, budgeting, meditation and well-being, and more.

The CSU remains committed to advocating for and representing Capilano University students during this difficult time. Wherever and whenever possible, the CSU will be providing all of our regular programs and services, and adapting programming with students’ input.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are available to field questions via social media (include Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook) as well as email.

Emily Bridge
CSU President and Vice-President, Equity & Sustainability

Mon March 23

BC students demand a rent freeze and ban on evictions
Gallery
BC students demand a rent freeze and ban on evictions

Blog, COVID-19

BC students demand a rent freeze and ban on evictions

admin2020-03-24T11:21:54-07:00March 23rd, 2020|Blog, COVID-19|

Dear Premier Horgan, Minister James, and Minister Robinson,

With today’s release of BC’s COVID-19 Action Plan, we were encouraged to see the government’s commitment to helping BC residents during this unprecedented health crisis. The rapid response from policymakers is admirable and we recognize that creating a comprehensive plan to support those who are most at-risk during this period of instability is an immense endeavour. We appreciate that there are significant investments to support those most vulnerable being made by the government, including those that are not eligible for Employment Insurance. We especially recognize that the pause on BC student loan repayments is a huge relief for students.

However, we were disappointed that relief for renters was not also announced, as the due date for rent for so many British Columbians is just one week away. Students, who make up around one million of the country’s tenants, are under threat of being pushed out of their living situations with little to no notice, forced to find alternate accommodation. In addition to uncertain housing situations, many work in the service and hospitality industries where they are experiencing major layoffs across the board. While these students may be able to access some benefits from federal and provincial governments in the coming months, this will not come quickly enough to help them make their rent payments due April 1.

International students are particularly vulnerable to the current public health emergency and associated impacts in our province. Without Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status, their path forward through this crisis remains unclear. Like domestic students, they also make up a large proportion of workers in the service and hospitality industries that are facing widespread layoffs. In addition, federally mandated working limits and tenuous immigration status leave them with limited options for finding other work — not to mention the general lack of jobs that can be worked safely during the public health emergency. The vast majority of international students are renters that are far from their homes and families, with limited funds and support to begin with. They have now found themselves in a very precarious position.

Time is running out for all students as well as other vulnerable populations who rent in British Columbia. Without immediate support for renters, we could see a considerable portion of our population suddenly looking for new places to live, likely ending up temporarily housed with new groups of people, undoing some of the critical work that social distancing is achieving to flatten the curve.

We were also concerned to hear this afternoon that any evictions currently in progress will be going ahead as planned. Nothing about this time is “business as usual”, and by taking this approach we risk leaving those most in need of assistance behind. This further contributes to community transmission, putting additional stress on our healthcare system and reducing our ability to contain the virus.

Other organizations in the province are currently advocating for rent freezes and other protections to support renters during this difficult and uncertain time. The Vancouver Tenants Union has put a call out for British Columbians to add their names to a steadily growing list of renters that are worried they cannot make rent on April 1, or are at risk of eviction. They have also asked people to share their stories on social media with the hashtag #bcrentcrisis.

The hashtag #rentfreezenow is also gaining traction as people share their struggles, fears, and uncertainty with the end of the month quickly approaching and little communication from the government coming forward. The BC Poverty Reduction Coalition has also published an urgent call for provincial action to protect the well-being of low-income and at-risk British Columbians.

On Wednesday, we hope that you will make the right decision for all renters in the province. We look forward to collaborating with you in the coming days to find solutions that work for students, both domestic and international.

For all of the reasons above, immediate support for renters across the province is necessary.

We call on the BC Government to implement a freeze on rent payments effective immediately, and a ban on evictions for all renters.

Yours sincerely,

Alliance of BC Students
Camosun College Student Society
Capilano Students’ Union
Kwantlen Student Association
Langara Students’ Association
Simon Fraser Student Society
University of the Fraser Valley Student Union Society
University of British Columbia Alma Mater Society
University of Victoria Graduate Student Society
University of Victoria Student Society

Tue March 17

Statement on CSU’s move to digital delivery of services

admin2020-03-17T16:43:28-07:00March 17th, 2020|Blog, COVID-19|

March 17, 4:30pm — In consideration of the quick escalation of precautions being recommended by various levels of government, and to ensure the safety and health of members of our team and the university community, the CSU has decided to cancel all in-person programming and events for the remainder of the semester.

We are taking steps to transition key programs, services, and meetings online and are exploring different ways to foster community digitally while students are away from campus. We are working to ensure that students continue to be supported and represented as Capilano University continues its work to shift away from in-person learning.

While the information desk at the CSU Members Centre will be closed for the remainder of the semester, CSU staff will be working remotely, and are available to field students’ questions via social media (including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) and email ([email protected]).

For more about COVID-19, including information on prevention, symptoms, how it spreads, travel, and what to do if you are sick, please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s COVID-19 page. We encourage students to follow the advice of public health agencies.

The latest information from Capilano University can be found at this link.

Sun March 15

Statement on shift from in-person learning at Capilano University

admin2020-03-17T16:42:34-07:00March 15th, 2020|Blog, COVID-19|

March 15, 11:30am — Capilano University has announced that classes for Monday and Tuesday have been paused; university campuses and services remain open. The university has stated that this “pause” is in order to allow faculty and staff to prepare for a shift away from in-person learning.

Consistent with our usual practice when classes are not in session, the information desk at the CSU Members Centre (located in Library 195) will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. CSU staff remain available to field students’ questions via social media (including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), email ([email protected]), and in-person at our main office (located in Maple 121).

Given the reduced number of students on campus, the CSU has decided to cancel all in-person CSU events scheduled to take place on Monday and Tuesday. Since voting in the CSU general election takes place entirely online, the chief returning officer has determined that voting will take place as scheduled from 9:00am on Tuesday, March 17 to 5:00pm on Thursday, March 19.

The CSU has conducted thorough risk assessments of all other events and programming organized by the CSU and its subsidiary bodies. Some events are being adapted in order to minimize risk, while others are to be postponed or cancelled. Unfortunately, this includes our kálax-ay end-of-year social, Rock the Boat, and components of each of Pride Week, Accessibility Awareness Week, and De-Stress Week.

Following the guidance of public health agencies, our remaining events will re-evaluated and adapted as the situation evolves. We are evaluating how best to ensure that students continue to be supported and represented as the university shifts away from in-person learning.

For more about COVID-19, including information on prevention, symptoms, how it spreads, travel, and what to do if you are sick, please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s COVID-19 page.

The latest information from Capilano University can be found at this link.

Tue February 18

CSU welcomes needs-based grants announcement

admin2020-02-18T16:15:40-08:00February 18th, 2020|Blog, Media Advisories|

VICTORIA, BC — Capilano students are celebrating today’s announcement of the new BC Access Grant — an up-front, needs-based grants program to support low- to middle-income post-secondary learners. This new grant program removes some of the financial barriers to education, providing students who need it most with financial assistance to access the education needed to start a new career and support a family.

“It’s rewarding to see that students can have a direct impact on government decisions addressing affordable access to education” said Joey Sidhu, vice-president finance & services at the Capilano Students’ Union. “Capilano students have been advocating for needs-based grants in partnership with our lobbying partners the Alliance of BC Students, for seven years, so as we celebrate today we recognize all the work done by past student leaders that made today’s announcement possible.”

This $24 million investment over three years builds on last year’s elimination of student loan interest to make life more affordable for students in BC. Beginning this upcoming fall semester, students can expect to receive up to $4,000 per year, including those in programs under two years.

“We’re excited about the introduction of non-repayable, needs-based grants because we know that these can help to reduce so many of the financial barriers that a lot of students experience when trying to start their education” explains Emily Bridge, Capilano Students’ Union president.

The province’s old needs-based grants program was cut in 2004, leaving BC as the only province in Canada to not offer a non-repayable grant program. This announcement today not only brings the province in line with the rest of the country, but also ensures students have the financial opportunities available to access the education needed for their career, and reduces the debt for new-graduates navigating BC’s affordability crisis.

Wed February 12

RELEASE: Capilano Students’ Union stands with Wet’suwet’en

admin2020-02-12T16:14:11-08:00February 12th, 2020|Blog, Media Advisories|

NORTH VANCOUVER — The Capilano Students’ Union, representing the students at Capilano University through their elected board of directors, stands in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en people, land defenders, and water protectors at the Unist’ot’en and Gidimt’en camps, and fully supports Wet’suwet’en jurisdiction and governance.

The organization’s solidarity with Wet’suwet’en is demonstrated with the personal involvement of Capilano Students’ Union board members and staff in solidarity actions across Metro Vancouver, including blockading access to ports, trains, and roads; this has resulted in the arrest of at least one student leader for defending Wet’suwet’en jurisdiction, and they have since been released.

We do not support the continued colonial violence against the sovereign Wet’suwet’en people by the RCMP, and supported by the federal and BC governments and Coastal GasLink. We believe that these actions are contrary to these governments’ commitments to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). These actions demonstrate that the principle of free, prior, and informed consent, a protocol written into UNDRIP, has not been honoured.

The Wet’suwet’en people have never ceded the rights to their traditional territory and their title has never been extinguished. The Unist’ot’en house group of the Wet’suwet’en has been reoccupying their traditional territory for the last decade, building infrastructure and rebuilding traditional systems of governance as a way to heal their people and the land. The enforcement by the RCMP of this injunction threatens the well-being of the Wet’suwet’en people and their ability to heal and peacefully occupy their territory, infringing on their human and Aboriginal rights.

We also support the demands of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs including:

that free, prior and informed consent must be obtained before any industry may pass through their territory;
that the RCMP remove themselves from Wet’suwet’en territory and cease restricting the ability of the Wet’suwet’en people to access their own land, territory and the resources they need for survival, infringing upon their human and Aboriginal rights;
that nation-to-nation talks be held between provincial and federal leaders to address the infringements on Wet’suwet’en rights and title; and
that the RCMP stop enforcing the injunction and in turn threatening the safety of the Wet’suwet’en people as well as their right to occupy their own territory, right to use their own traditional ways of knowing, and right to heal their land and their people.

We urge the RCMP to stand down, release the land and water defenders, and encourage the Government of British Columbia to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs in good faith, honouring their commitments to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls-to-action, and the Supreme Court of Canada’s Tsilhqot’in decision.

CSU spokesperson

Emily Bridge, president
Capilano Students’ Union
[email protected]
604.240.8837

About Capilano Students’ Union
The Capilano Students’ Union advocates for the interests and needs of its membership of more than 7,000 students by lobbying Capilano University and all levels of government. The CSU delivers student services, provides resources to clubs and organisations on campus, and hosts a variety of events each year to promote the social, political, recreational, and academic wellbeing of its membership.

Thu January 30

U-Pass renewed five more years

admin2020-01-30T11:39:31-08:00January 30th, 2020|Blog, transit|

In 2019, Capilano students voted overwhelmingly in favour of keeping the U-Pass BC program. The U-Pass not only saves students money, but also helps to ease congestion and reduce greenhouse gases by removing cars from our roads. The CSU worked with student associations across the region to ensure the continuation of this essential program.

Today we celebrated the culmination of all this hard work with students across the province, as the provincial government and TransLink announced the renewal of U-Pass for another five years. We’re happy to see that our students can be assured of another five years of affordable transit.

Release from Province of British Columbia: U-Pass BC extended following post-secondary voting

Tue March 19

CSU condemns homophobia following art project vandalism

admin2019-03-19T12:48:59-07:00March 19th, 2019|Blog|

On Thursday, March 14, two students vandalized an art mural project that was part of the Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) Pride Month programming taking place outside the CSU Members Centre. The students returned shortly thereafter to make homophobic remarks toward several members of the CSU’s queer students collective and board of directors.

While we are working closely with the university to attempt to identify these students and to ensure that they are held accountable, this incident demonstrates that there is more work to be done in advocacy for the safety of LGBTQ2S+ students and community members at Capilano University. The CSU is committed to championing this work through campaigns and advocacy, as well as events celebrating the queer community including Pride Month, the Social Advocacy Faire, and more.

The CSU unequivocally condemns homophobia in all of its forms and encourages anyone who might have experienced harassment to report it to campus security.

Don’t let hate win — join us in celebrating queer history and culture as Pride Month continues through March. A full list of activities can be found at csu.bc.ca/pride.