Guest Post: Dr. Alisa Webb, Vice President Students

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UFV condemns racism and offers support —

Dear UFV Students,

George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Tony McDade. Ahmaud Arbery. These names are added to the long list of victims of systemic racism and racial injustice in our society.

While these are American victims, Canada is not free of these same injustices. This is evidenced by the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women, ongoing anti-Asian racism across the Lower Mainland, and incidents involving members of the Black community across Canada. These collective examples, along with too many others, highlight the important work UFV and UFV students still need to do.

I’m connecting with you today out of care and concern, using my voice to draw attention to injustice and to ensure you know of the supports and resources available to you right now.

If, like me, you identify as white, now is the time for us to listen deeply with open hearts and open minds, to hear from those with lived experience of racism and white privilege. Educate yourselves and then educate yourselves some more. Join UFV’s Racism and Anti-Racism Network. Promote the voices of BIPOC (Black People, Indigenous People, and People of Colour). Condemn and call out racism and stand side by side with those demanding change.

If you identify as BIPOC, please know that we are committed to supporting you, to doing the difficult work to unlearn and learn, to become allies, to advocate, to decolonize, and to consistently work to dismantle systemic racism. Join us at RAN and read more from our President, Dr. Joanne MacLean.

If you need someone to talk to or you need to report an incident, we and others are here for you:

  • UFV Counselling is available for virtual appointments.
  • Here2Talk is a new mental health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students. The service offers confidential, free single-session services by app, phone or online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Empower Me provides confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for those registered with the SUS Health and Dental Plan.
  • Our Student Support Coordinators are available to talk and can help connect you with resources.
  • Indigenous students also have the option of connecting with the Indigenous Student Centre for support, including Elder support. Join their Facebook page to learn more.
  • If you’ve been the target of harassment, sexual harassment, bullying or discrimination, indignity, injury, or violence, you can report the incident through our Safe Student Community Page.
  • Report anti-Asian racism via Project 1907.
  • Reach out to the Fraser Valley Human Dignity Coalition to report racist incidents and receive support.

Please take care of yourselves and each other. The only way forward is together.

Dr. Alisa Webb
Vice-President, Students