COVID-19 – Capilano Students' Union

Tue September 8

BC Students Asking for an Extension of Rental Supplement and Eviction Ban

josh2020-09-11T15:29:30-07:00September 8th, 2020|Blog, COVID-19|

Dear Premier Horgan, Minister James, and Minister Robinson,

In March, students celebrated the Province’s response to our joint letter asking for an immediate moratorium on evictions and rent increases in BC. We were grateful to see the Province take action and follow through with these protections for renters. This policy, along with the BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program, has provided countless students with relief and support through the end of the spring semester and into the summer. The security of knowing that they will not be evicted and forced into houselessness during a global public health emergency is crucial to a student’s livelihood.

It is for this critical reason that we were concerned to hear about the BC government’s plan to lift the moratorium on evictions on September 1, 2020. With many students still out of work and facing tuition fee payment deadlines and textbook purchases, the threat of being evicted is not only detrimental to a student’s academic success, but could severely impact all aspects of their life including their mental and physical health. The absolute necessity of housing security, let alone during a global pandemic, cannot be stressed enough.

Though our province has made significant steps towards a full reopening and recovery of the economy, the global health crisis is far from over. The economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 public health emergency are far-reaching and will be felt by the most vulnerable groups in our province for years to come. Among the most financially vulnerable are post-secondary students.

The housing crisis in BC has been affecting students for decades, growing more severe each year as rental housing supply diminishes and prices skyrocket. The days of expecting to pay only 30% of your income on rent are long gone. According to the Canadian Rental Housing Index, 49% of renters in BC aged 15 to 29 spend over 30% of their income on rent while 28% of renters in the same age group spend over half their income on rent.1 10% of renters aged 15 to 29 live in overcrowded conditions.2 This is not new; the difference now is that we are facing an unprecedented global pandemic, the effects of which are unexpected significant losses of income and resources for so many students.

Loss of income due to COVID-19 has disproportionately affected students and young people.3 Many students rely on full-time summer employment to get them through the next school year. This summer, the BC Labour Force Survey collected data on labour market outcomes for post-secondary students who were attending school full-time in March and intend to return to school full-time in September.4 In May of this year, they found that the unemployment rate for older students in BC (aged 20 to 24) returning to school in the fall was nearly 44% — a 33% increase from the previous year.5 The national unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24 also rose to a record high in May, reaching over 29%.6 In a study produced this month, Statistics Canada reported that if the annual youth unemployment rate reaches as high as 28%, recent graduates could see income losses of $23,000 to $44,000 over the next five years.7

We recognize that this is not a one-sided issue. Landlords often rely on tenants’ monthly rent payments to subsidize their mortgage payments and other expenses. However, the narrative often portrayed in public discourse — that of multitudes of struggling landlords across the province — paints a false picture of tenant-landlord dynamics. The homeowner renting out their basement suite and struggling to pay their bills is not your typical landlord.

In an online survey conducted by McAllister Research in May 2020, only a minority of renters (22%) said they pay their rent to “a homeowner who lives in the same building,” with the remaining respondents paying corporate or other investor landlords.8 In the public debate surrounding rent forgiveness, many argue that landlords will suffer more if renters do not pay their rent. This is rarely the case, as the majority of “landlords” are not living paycheque to paycheque, and instead are profiting exponentially off of desperate people in need of a place to live.

Struggling with basic expenses is not a new problem for students. With monthly rent and utilities, high tuition costs (which are 4.5 times higher for international students than domestic students and can increase at any rate for international students),9 overpriced textbooks, transportation costs, and other expenses, students are left with limited funds to purchase basic necessities such as groceries.

A recent annual survey conducted by the Capilano Students’ Union at Capilano University found that over 47% of student respondents felt worried at least a few times over the course of a semester that they would run out of food before they had money to buy groceries.10 Nine percent of student respondents said they worried about this once a month, over 11% said they worried twice a month, and 8% of all student respondents said they worry about running out of food on a weekly basis.11

These challenges may seem insignificant to some, but for a student struggling to get through their degree or a recent graduate whose job prospects have vanished, these setbacks can be devastating. Students should not have to add an eviction to their ever-growing list of setbacks. The Province has the opportunity to recognize a vulnerable group in need of support, and step in to provide that help. Extending the eviction moratorium and continuing the BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program will give students a fighting chance, and provide security with the most essential support they need to thrive — a home.

We call on the Province of British Columbia to extend the eviction moratorium and continue the BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program for as long as the province is in a state of emergency, and to continue to support vulnerable renters for at least three months after.

Yours sincerely,

Alliance of BC Students
Camosun College Student Society
Capilano Students’ Union
Graduate Student Society of UBC Vancouver
Langara Students’ Association
Northern British Columbia Graduate Students’ Society
Simon Fraser Student Society
University of Victoria Graduate Student Society

Mon August 24

U-Pass BC program update

admin2020-08-25T17:30:19-07:00August 24th, 2020|Blog, COVID-19|

The U-Pass BC program provides Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) members (Capilano University students) with unlimited access to transit in the Metro Vancouver region. Following the temporary suspension of the U-Pass BC program for the summer term, we continued to work with TransLink, public post-secondary institutions, and student associations across Metro Vancouver to find a solution for the fall term.

After careful consideration and extensive discussion, we can now share that the U-Pass BC program will resume at Capilano University starting on September 1, 2020.

How U-Pass BC works

The U-Pass BC program is structured as a universal and mandatory program for students at participating public post-secondary institutions; it is this universal model that makes the affordability of the U-Pass BC program possible. For students who rely on the U-Pass BC program, this means savings of up to $538 on transit passes every single term.

U-Pass BC fees for the fall term have already been assessed to all students enrolled in classes that would normally be delivered in-person at the main campus or at CapU Lonsdale — this includes classes that are being taught via mixed mode or remote, adapted learning due to COVID-19.

Exemptions and eligibility

Certain students are exempt from the U-Pass BC program, including students with disabilities that preclude the use of conventional transit or HandyDART services, students who hold another transit pass for the entire term, or students who have a valid U-Pass BC from another post-secondary institution.

Students are also exempt if they are both (a) studying entirely online without any on-campus instruction, and (b) are living outside of Metro Vancouver. If you are living outside of Metro Vancouver for the fall term due to the public health emergency, and your studies are online, then this exemption may apply to you.

More information on eligibility and exemptions, including application forms, can be found on the Capilano University website.

Please note that if you intend to apply for one of these exemption options, we recommend that you do not request or load your U-Pass BC onto your Compass Card through the U-Pass BC website, as this may result in one or more months of the U-Pass BC fee being non-refundable.

Eligible students not intending to apply for an exemption can visit TransLink’s U-Pass BC website to request their September pass.

Financial assistance

We understand the financial barriers that students are facing, and the CSU will continue to support students who are struggling financially. Late last week, the CSU board of directors approved a new CSU U-Pass BC Hardship Fund, which provides a bursary equivalent to 50% of the value of U-Pass BC fees for one term for students with demonstrated financial need. The U-Pass BC Hardship Fund application process can be found on the CSU website.

The CSU U-Pass BC Hardship Fund follows a $75,000 donation to CapU’s Emergency Endowment Fund made earlier this year to help students experiencing financial hardship during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Students with immediate need of financial resources are encouraged to reach out to the CapU financial aid & awards department to discuss options for emergency financial assistance.

Feedback?

We understand some students will have concerns respecting the resumption of the U-Pass BC program, given the unprecedented public health situation. We have carefully considered the concerns that have been raised in recent months, alongside the messages we received from students expressing that they wish to continue accessing the U-Pass BC program, and the significant transit savings that the program provides.

If you would like to share your thoughts about the U-Pass BC program, we encourage you to continue providing us with your perspective at [email protected].

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the U-Pass BC program?

The U-Pass BC program is a universal, mandatory program for all students enrolled in at least one in-person course and provides unlimited access to transit in the Metro Vancouver region. This includes all bus routes, SkyTrain, and SeaBus. It also gives access to discounts on West Coast Express fares. The U-Pass BC program, including the fee, has been approved by Capilano University students in a referendum

Who is eligible for the U-Pass BC program?

The U-Pass BC program is a universal, mandatory program for all students enrolled in at least one in-person course.

Who is exempted from the U-Pass BC program?

As a universal, mandatory program, exemptions from the program are limited.

A student is exempt if they have a disability that precludes the use of conventional transit or HandyDART services; if they already have another transit pass for the entire term; if they have a valid U-Pass BC from another post-secondary institution; or if they are taking only courses coded as “online” or non-credit courses.

For more information on exemptions, including application forms, click here.

I have a car and don’t need the U-Pass BC; am I exempt?

The U-Pass BC program is structured as a universal and mandatory program for students at participating post-secondary institutions, and it is this universal model that makes the affordability of the U-Pass BC program possible. For students who rely on the U-Pass BC program, this means savings of up to $538 on transit passes every single term.

Certain students are exempt from the U-Pass BC program, including students with disabilities that preclude the use of conventional transit or HandyDART services, students who hold another transit pass for the entire term, students who have a valid U-Pass BC from another post-secondary institution, or students who are taking only courses coded as “online” or non-credit courses.

For more information on exemptions, including application forms, click here.

I’m exempt. How can I get a U-Pass BC fee refund?

If you meet the criteria for an exemption, you must complete an exemption application form, which can be found at this link. If your application is accepted, then Capilano University will reverse or refund the applicable U-Pass BC fees.

I am living outside of the Metro Vancouver area right now and don’t need the U-Pass, can I opt-out?

If you are living outside of the TransLink service region, and all of your courses are coded as “online”, , then you are not eligible for the U-Pass BC program. For more information on eligibility and exemptions, including application forms, click here.

What communities are considered part of Metro Vancouver and within the TransLink service region?

In terms of determining residency in Metro Vancouver, the following is an exhaustive list of places defined as “in Metro Vancouver” for the purposes of the U-Pass BC program:

Metro Vancouver

• Anmore
• Belcarra
• Bowen Island
• Burnaby
• Coquitlam
• Delta
• Langley, City and Township
• Lions Bay
• Maple Ridge
• New Westminster
• North Vancouver, City and District
• Pitt Meadows
• Port Coquitlam
• Port Moody
• Richmond
• Surrey, including Barnston Island
• Tsawwassen First Nation
• UBC
• University Endowment Lands
• Vancouver
• West Vancouver
• White Rock

For greater certainty, the following are examples of areas not part of Metro Vancouver:

• Abbotsford (Fraser Valley Regional District)
• Chilliwack (Fraser Valley Regional District)
• Mission (Fraser Valley Regional District)
• Hope (Fraser Valley Regional District)
• Harrison Hot Springs (Fraser Valley Regional District)
• Squamish (Squamish-Lillooet Regional District)
• Whistler (Squamish-Lillooet Regional District)
• Lillooet (Squamish-Lillooet Regional District)
• Pemberton (Squamish-Lillooet Regional District)
• Sechelt (Sunshine Coast Regional District)
• Gibsons (Sunshine Coast Regional District)

Thu July 16

U-Pass BC program remains suspended until August 31, 2020. Plans for fall semester ongoing.

admin2020-07-16T17:20:15-07:00July 16th, 2020|Blog, COVID-19|

The Capilano Students’ Union worked closely with its partners at TransLink, other student associations, and post-secondary institutions to temporarily suspend the U-Pass BC program from May 1 as course delivery moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We worked hard during our negotiations with TransLink to ensure that as many students as possible would benefit from the program suspension. We understand that some students still use transit services to get to work, run errands, care for loved ones, etc. However, the way that the U-Pass BC program is setup to allow a low-fee for region-wide transit requires it to be an “all or nothing” program and so there was unfortunately no option for individual students who needed it to choose to pay for a U-Pass, or receive a concession fare for transit services.

We recognize that the fall semester is going to look very different for many students. With classes online and COVID-19 still present in BC, many students will be learning from home or reducing their travel and chance of exposure. Others may not even be physically in Metro Vancouver. Financial resources are also tight for students and any extra money in their pocket would be hugely beneficial. On the other hand, many students are still taking classes or conducting research on campus, travelling to and from work, and relying on transit for errands, groceries, and social connections. For these students who rely on transit, the cost of a monthly pass is much higher than the reduced cost of a U-Pass and would be an even bigger financial burden during this challenging time.

In short, there is unfortunately no easy solution for administering the U-Pass BC program in the fall semester considering the large disparity in the number of students needing the program, the requirement to follow the terms of the U-Pass BC agreement, and importance of respecting the large amount of student support for the program in every U-Pass BC referendum conducted by student associations across the region.

We are working tremendously hard with our partners at TransLink, other student associations, and post-secondary institutions across Metro Vancouver to find the best path forward for this program. We know that a reduced transit pass is a lifeline for many students, while also being a huge financial burden for others during this uncertain time. We remain confident that we will be able to come to a solution that works for the largest number of students, but unfortunately don’t have anything concrete to share with you at this time.

The suspension is currently agreed to be in place up until the end of August 2020. However, as discussions with partners are ongoing to determine if and when the U-Pass BC program can resume, you may have noticed that your fee statement includes the U-Pass BC fee for fall course registration. Please note, this fee is still subject to change, as no decision has been made yet about the operations of the program. If the U-Pass BC remains suspended for the fall term, CapU will provide those students who have paid the U-Pass BC fee an account-credit or a refund.

Please continue to share your views with us by emailing [email protected] as we are taking all student feedback into account as we continue discussions with TransLink and post-secondary institutions to try and come to a solution that benefits students.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I just pay for the U-Pass if I want it for the summer?

As summer courses at all post-secondary institutions in Metro Vancouver will be delivered via online learning, the decision was made by TransLink, student associations (including the CSU), and post-secondary institutions to temporarily suspend the U-Pass BC program until classes return to in-person learning.

We worked hard during our negotiations with TransLink to ensure that as many students as possible would benefit from the program suspension. However, the program is “all or nothing” and so there is unfortunately no option for individual students to opt-in to the U-Pass BC program.

Can I opt out of the U-Pass for the fall?

The U-Pass BC program suspension is currently agreed to be in place up until the end of August 2020. Students enrolled in courses for fall 2020 have been assessed the U-Pass BC fee but that fee is still subject to change, as no decision has been made yet about the operations of the program.

If the U-Pass BC remains suspended for the fall term, the post-secondary institution will provide those students who have paid the U-Pass BC fee an account-credit or a refund.

Can I get a partial refund for my spring U-Pass?

The university issued refunds to those who did not activate their April passes now as well as those who activated their April pass and spent less than $41. Refunds were applied to students’ CapU accounts.

According to CapU’s website, fee refunds are mailed to the address on your myCapU account about six weeks after the beginning of the term, so students with positive balances in their CapU accounts should have either received their refunds already or be receiving their refunds soon. Check your mail!

How can I provide feedback?

Email [email protected] to share your views, as we are taking all student feedback into account as we continue discussions with TransLink and post-secondary institutions to try and come to a solution that benefits students.

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.