UNBSU & UNBSRC Statement on UNB's Mandatory Vaccination Policy

UNBSRC and UNBSU Response to Mandatory Vaccination

Friday, August 20th, 2021

Today the University of New Brunswick announced the implementation of mandatory vaccinations and testing on both Saint John and Fredericton campuses. All students, faculty, and staff will be required to have two (2) doses of a Canadian approved vaccine, or participate in regular COVID-19 testing when returning to campus this Fall. The UNB Students’ Representative Council (Saint John) and UNB Student Union (Fredericton) are both in support of this mandate, as long as the process is fair and equitable for all students. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to ensure our community is protected against COVID-19.

UNB has released a survey to gauge the status of vaccination for students, faculty, and staff. We encourage students to fill out the survey to provide UNB with accurate information to guide the decision making. Please check your UNB email for the link to the survey.

Both the UNBSRC and UNBSU are encouraging students who can get vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. For students who are looking to receive a vaccination or for more information about the safety of vaccines, please visit the Government of Canada website here. 

Further, both student representative unions are working with the university to ensure that students will have all the information they need as quickly as possible. We understand there may be a lot of confusion and questions in regards to the mandatory vaccination announcement. Students are encouraged to contact president@unb.ca with any questions.

The UNBSRC and UNBSU want to sincerely thank all students for continuing to do their part during the pandemic. This transition to a ‘new normal’ is ever changing and your willingness to adapt has been truly appreciated. 

Charlotte Fanjoy Kordell Walsh

UNBSRC President UNBSU President

president@unbsrc.ca president@unbsu.ca

Get Vaccinated!

See our COVID-19 Supports and Resources page for more info on UNBF’s Vaccine Clinics.

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National Indigenous Peoples Day

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day, everyone! 

One of our main goals at the UNB Student Union is to amplify the voices of our students. This Indigenous Peoples Day, we are sharing this post from the Meskeyi Student Society, as we strongly share their sentiments and believe that their voices are the ones that should be heard today.

“On this National Indigenous People’s day we want to celebrate everyone in the UNB Indigenous community and Indigenous peoples across Fredericton and all over the country.

The love, community, wisdom, brilliance, and kindness built into every Indigenous space is worth far more than just one day, and with each day that passes we see the fruits of how integral Indigenous perspectives and experiences are to the future of Turtle Island, the earth, and our families.

We hope that this day grants us all the chance to celebrate Indigenous peoples en masse with beauty, respect, & honour, and we look forward to finding new and exciting ways to celebrate Indigenous identity all year round on campus in collaboration with the ForEM department, UNB, and the Indigenous Student Council as well as our partners, alumni, and community members.

We may not be able to see each of you today, but we are sending thoughts of song, dance, and joy your way. Thank you to each and every one of you involved in making this day bright and filled with pride, and thank you to each child, parent, and Elder teaching us all how to live well in even the little things that you do.”

- Meskeyi Student Society

National Indigenous Peoples Day started in 1996 and is a day that we believe all people should take to celebrate Indigenous people, perspectives, and experiences, and to reflect on how each of us can better pursue the principles of reconciliation. 

However, these sentiments should not be unique to one day a year. Reconciliation should be a part of our everyday lives. As a Union, we will work to amplify the voices of Indigenous students and to ensure that our work and the student experience reflects the needs and perspectives of the Indigenous community at UNB.

Some resources you should check out:

• Gallery on Queen is currently presenting an exhibition “Wabanaki”, which showcases various Indigenous artists and mediums. This exhibition is on until July 10th, 2021.

• Spotify has curated this playlist of music by Indigenous artists: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWYrH4yMJbkL8?si=08c1807d3f674c63

• The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/declaration/read-lire.html

Books by Indigenous Authors:

• In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier

• NDN Coping Mechanisms by Billy-Ray Belcourt

• On/Me by Francine Cunningham

• A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott

• Five Little Indians by Michelle Good

• Peace and Good Order by Harold B. Johnson

• If I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie with Nahanni Shingoose

• Searching for…Inuktitut Style and Learning and Preserving by Breana Andrews

• In My Own Moccasins by Helen Knott

• Bones by Tyler Pennock

Instagram Accounts:

• @indigenousclimateaction

• @wolastoqeducation

• @fallonfarinacci

• @unbmwc

• @lnuey.ca

• @wetsuweten_checkpoint

• @indigenouswomenrising

• @reclaimyourpower

Islamaphobic Attack in London, Ontario

From UNB Student Services:

“This past week, a horrific incident of racism and Islamophobia occurred in the city of London, Ontario. Shocked and appalled at this terrible attack, our hearts reach out in particular to members of the Muslim community at UNB, in Fredericton and across Canada as they struggle to deal with this assault on their community. Our services stand ready to support members of the UNB community at this difficult time, including Counselling Services who can be reached at (506) 453-4820 and, where appropriate, the International Student Advisor's Office (isao@unb.ca).”.

The UNBSU shares sentiments with Student Services to acknowledge and denounce the targeted hate crime by Nathaniel Veltman against a Muslim family in London, Ontario. Islamophobia and racism are present in our communities across Canada, we must do what we can to combat these problematic attitudes and support our Muslim community members and students. Check in on your friends, events like these are challenging for anyone.

If you would like support right now please connect with Counselling Services, the ISAO, or check out some of our suggested additional resources below:

Naseeha - 24/7 Muslim Youth Mental Health Hotline - 1 (866) 627-3342

IFSSA - (10AM-10PM) Islamic Family & Social Services Helpline - 780-900-277780.900.2777

Call for Student Business Owners!

This year, the UNBSU has decided to offer all UNB student business owners FREE advertising space in the 2021/22 Student Union Agenda. Each advertisement will be a 1/4 page ad (2.25 x 3.75 inches) and you can receive free design help and advice from our Vice-President Communications, Niko Coady!

The agenda is given to all incoming students and will be seen by HUNDREDS of people on campus. You can make sure your ad looks exactly how you want it to, and it’s all for free!

For more information, please contact our Vice-President Student Life, Brennan Marks at studentlife@unbsu.ca or (506) 452 6096.

*All advertisements must be submitted before July 5th, 2021.

The UNBSU would like to acknowledge and grieve the incredible loss of 215 Indigenous children.

215 Indigenous children were found buried at a mass grave, at a Residential School in Kamloops, B.C. on Thursday, May 27th, 2021.

UNB and the UNBSU live on the unsurrendered and unceded traditional Wolastoqey land. The lands on which we are privileged to work and receive our education are the lands of the Wolastoqey people. The flags on UNB campus are currently lowered to honour the victims and to support the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc people.

Resources

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line (for survivors and family):

1-866-925-4419

24 hour crisis line FAQ's

Counselling Services:

506-453-4820 or email counsel@unb.ca

Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre:

506-453-4840 or email mwc@unb.ca

Indigenous Wellness Coordinator (Nancy Harn):

506-458-7038 or email nharn@unb.ca

CHIMO Helpline:

1-800-667-5005

Live chat available 5p.m.-12a.m. daily

Under One Sky Friendship Centre:

email info@uosfc.ca

Under One Sky Facebook Page

Wolastoqey Anti-Discrimination Hotline:

Access the Hotline

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:

Read the Declaration

UNBSU Statement on Violence in Palestine/Israel

To our students and those being impacted by the violence in Palestine/Israel, we see you, we stand with you, and we are here to support you. This is a human rights crisis with large losses of life.

Violence in Palestine/Israel has escalated since mid-April with constant conflicts between police and Palestinians. As a result, Hamas fired airstrikes into Israel and Israel retaliated with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Many innocent civilian lives have been lost, and the casualties continued to increase. As of Friday, May 21st, 2021, Hamas and Israel agreed to a cease-fire, but there continues to be loss of life across Palestine/Israel.

The UNBSU is committed to engaging in anti-colonialism and anti-racism. We do not condone any forms of violence or discrimination, and our advocacy must extend to all human rights in our community and beyond. We encourage all UNB students to educate themselves on the situation and we are committed to supporting you in any way we can.

We recognize that our team represents a lack of diversity and does not understand what students who are affected by this issue may be experiencing. We are not equipped to provide all of the support you may require, however, if you are looking for support, we have included a list of resources available to you below. If there is a resource you are looking for that we have not included, please send us a message and we will do our best to direct you to a resource available to you.

We want to hear from you on how the UNBSU can better support you through this overwhelming time. You can find a typeform on our website and at the link in our Instagram bio to provide us with feedback on how we can better support you, or to share resources that you would like our executive team to review. You can fill out this form anonymously or leave your email address if you would like, and we will follow up with you.

We also recognize that exposure to constant news from this heartbreaking situation is taking a toll on students’ mental health. The UNBSU is committed to listening to you and supporting you. If you have any questions or feedback, please fill out our typeform or contact us directly.

For immediate support, check out:

CHIMO Helpline - (505) 450-HELP(4357) or http://www.chimohelpline.ca/

Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 or https://kidshelpphone.ca/

To book an appointment with a UNB Counsellor:

(506) 453-4820 or counsel@unb.ca

https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/health-wellness/counselling/

If you’re an International Student, looking for advising or advocacy, check out:

International Student Advisors Office - (506) 453-4860 or isao@unb.ca

https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/international/

If you require extensions, deferrals, or withdrawals from summer course requirements, please contact the Student Advocate:

Wilfred Langmaid - (506) 453-4527 or langmaid@unb.ca.

https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/student-conduct/advocacy.html.

If you are looking to learn more about the history or current situation of violence in Palestine, check out:

Follow

@theimeu

@letstalkpalestine

@visualizing_palestine

@palestinianyouthmovement

@solutionsnotsides

@realbassameid

@buildingpeace_israelpalestine

Watch

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1wo2TLlMhiw

Books to read 

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017 by Rashid Khalidi

Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under Occupation (Voice of Witness) by Cate Malek and Mateo Hoke

The Question of Palestine by Edward W. Said

UNBSU Statement on Anti-Asian Violence

We at the UNBSU are heartbroken by the recent displays of violence against Asian women and the increase of anti-Asian racism in the past year. We stand in grief and solidarity with our Asian students and communities against racial violence.

The UNBSU is committed to combating systemic racism and supporting students of visible minorities. Some of the immediate actions we are taking to address the rise of anti-Asian racism include:

• Offering safe spaces for Asian students to meet with us to voice their concerns and to discuss the changes they want to see implemented within the SU and our ratified clubs and societies.

• Supporting upcoming projects led by Asian students, focused on raising awareness about anti-Asian racism & student experiences.

• Working on a Breaking Stereotypes video about microaggressions.

• Adding components to our upcoming Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan, such as anti-racism training, programming celebrating Asian students, and fostering safe spaces for visible minority communities to gather.

On March 16th in Acworth, Georgia, 8 people were shot and killed by a white gunman, 6 of the victims were Asian, and all but one were women. This hate crime occurred under the trauma of increasing violence against Asians in the past year.

Their Names:

Xiaojie Tan

Daoyou Feng

Soon Chung Park

Hyun Jung Grant

Yong Ae Yue

Suncha Kim

Delaina Yaun

Paul Andre Michels

The Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice has collected reports of the occurrence of 961 anti-Asian racist incidents in Canada during COVID-19, though there are likely many more unreported. The number of individuals from visible minorities who have reported experiencing an increase in harassment/attacks based on their race, ethnicity, or skin colour, since the start of the pandemic, has tripled. The largest increases were for Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian individuals.

To our Asian students, we recognize that this can be an incredibly difficult and emotionally challenging time for you. We are committed to listening and supporting you, we stand with you.

For immediate support, check out:

http://www.chimohelpline.ca/

https://kidshelpphone.ca

For more about Asian mental health, check out:

https://asiansdotherapy.com/

https://www.asianmhc.org/

For support dealing with Racial Trauma & Recovery, check out:

https://graduateway.com/blog/racial-trauma-toolkit/

If you’re an International Student, looking for advising, advocacy, or help with community integration, check out:

https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/international/

If you’re an ally looking to support/learn more, check out:

https://www.ihollaback.org/bystanderintervention/

https://www.covidracism.ca

If you have any questions or feedback for the UNBSU, please contact:

advocacy@unbsu.ca

UNBSU Update On Dr Bhargava’s Suspension in Response To University Message

The University of New Brunswick’s Student Union has confirmed with Dr Ed Schollenberg, Registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick that Dr Bhargava’s medical license has been suspended. This was made possible due to the many survivors who came forward and filed a complaint. We would like to commend each and every single survivor who has raised their voice and continued this conversation to keep UNB a safe environment. We hope UNB will take the proper measures to provide you all with justice, thus allowing you all to rest and heal - as is deserved.

We are extremely disappointed in The President’s Office for their failure in taking accountability for protecting, addressing, listening and informing students. Students need to know how the university has acted to protect them. The promotion and encouragement of supports should have been made known, far before this movement began. Survivors were left to file complaints to an external governing body because UNB was unable to remove the psychiatrist themselves. What did The President’s Office do to ensure the safety and protection of students and survivors? How did The Presidents office help facilitate and advocate for the removal of Dr Barghava? Simply stating that you hear the concerns of your student body is one thing, but reaching out to them and having meaningful conversations to better understand their concerns is another.

There is most definitely more that can be done on behalf of the University of New Brunswick. We will be meeting with the President, Paul Mazerolle this Friday, to address student concerns. Additionally, we aim to get a better understanding of what UNB administration is doing on their end to support survivors and how they plan to make UNB a safer community. We have been talking with survivors and students to hear their concerns - these experiences and recommendations will be brought forward and we intend to provide a space in which these concerns are not only heard, but addressed.

The Student Health Center has contacted Horizon health to bring in extra help. Physicians at the Student Health Center have access to a list of community-based Psychiatrists that are now accepting referrals. If you were a patient of Dr B and need a referral, please contact the Student Health Center at 506-453-4837. (Note: They have been receiving many calls and may not answer at the first attempt).

Going forward, we are creating a more comprehensive resource directory to help support students. Upon completion, we will be posting it on our social media platforms. Lastly, we would like to thank the survivors, students and the overall community for continuing this discussion, for supporting one another and for demanding a safer space - that of which you are all owed.

UNBSU Statement On University Silence Following Sexual Assault Allegations

Originally dated Thursday, November 12th, 2020.

A recent Instagram Post was made by an alumni of Mount Allison University, in which they highlighted the institution’s actions to silence victims of sexual violence. This post has since gone viral and created a platform for survivors at universities across New Brunswick to come forward and share their experiences anonymously. As such, UNBSU feels it is imperative to continue this conversation at our own university and ensure our institution is held accountable.

The University of New Brunswick's failure to protect and support survivors has been made evident as more and more survivors are coming forward with their stories. We are sincerely concerned with the institutions efforts to prevent and address sexual violence at UNB. The University of New Brunswick Student Union are profoundly disturbed to hear of the extent to which students have been harmed. Consequently, UNBSU would like to affirm that we stand in solidarity with all victims and survivors of sexual violence. We are extremely disappointed in the University of New Brunswick for insufficiently protecting its students, as well as for keeping them in the dark in times when they need information the most.

We recognize that the university is working towards addressing these concerns, but the students of UNB need more. Victims and survivors of sexual violence need to be heard, believed, and supported by their institution and now is not the time to remain silent. Students need to know what their administration is doing to address these allegations. They need to know that UNB is taking these raw, lived experiences seriously, and they especially need to know that their university believes and supports them.

The fact that students fear coming forward publicly and/or making a complaint should warrant signals to administrators that the current processes in place aren’t enough. This requires a re-evaluation of the institution's infrastructure, policies and organizational culture. UNB should be an environment free of rape culture and victim blaming, as well as a safe space where no student fears experiencing sexual violence throughout their academic careers. Survivors should also feel empowered and confident in their administrations ability to prevent, protect, and support them.

In order to address these concerns, the university needs to truly listen to the voices of survivors. We implore UNB to consider having these individuals at the discussion table. UNB must Facilitate an environment where survivors can help shed light on the gaps in UNB’s infrastructure and sexual assault policies, as well as work as a collective to better serve the students rather than making assumptions. While UNBSU is in contact with the administration, we ask once again for the institution as a whole to listen to the voices of survivors and to tell their students what is being done to protect them. No more silence UNB.

Moving forward, we would like to make some recommendations to the University of New Brunswick as they continue to work on addressing these concerns. Firstly, we strongly recommend the removal of Dr. Bhargava, as several of the allegations brought forward pose a great risk to the safety and wellbeing of UNB and STU students. As an alternative to Dr. Bhargava, we ask UNB to consider working with another Psychiatrist from Horizon Health, as well as offering additional mental health services to help support survivors and victims during these extremely distressful times.

We also recommend the University of New Brunswick to provide further training on sexual violence prevention, rather than focusing strictly on risk management. This entails providing the Campus Sexual Assault Support Advocates (CSASA) with a greater opportunity for expansion of their services. This resource is invaluable and should be further utilized for prevention on campus, that of which requires greater investment on behalf of the University of New Brunswick. Additionally, we ask to have the complaint process reviewed with the help of CSASA, survivor feedback and a UNBSU ad-hoc committee. We recommend the complaint process to be conducted by a third-party, so as to remain unbiased and have the best interest at heart for those involved. We also suggest further promoting the complaint process so students can be made aware of it. This should include the disclosure that this process cannot be used as evidence in court if a victim decides to do so in the future.

UNBSU is actively communicating with CSASA to look at ways to further support UNB students and to continue advocating for survivors. CSASA is open to all UNB, STU and NBCC students - they are a great resource on campus that provides non-judgemental support, advocacy, counselling, educational resources, as well as assistance in filing a complaint. Please refer to the resources listed below to find their office line and their 24/7 support line.

Finally, we would like to thank the alumni at Mount Allison University for starting this much needed conversation, and for their tireless efforts in advocating for survivors and victims of sexual violence. We would also like to thank the individual who created the Hold UNB Accountabe Instagram page, which has provided courageous survivors with a safe platform to anonymously come forward and share their stories. This conversation is only the beginning, and we at UNBSU believe you. We truly hope this leads to actionable change province wide, but especially on behalf of the University of New Brunswick.