SFU biology department breaks ranks with school on COVID-19 protocols
Masks are now mandatory in one department at Simon Fraser University.
In an email sent to the biology department on Thursday, Dr. Isabelle Côté, chair of biological sciences said masks are mandatory in all biology classrooms and lecture halls, effective immediately. The email goes on to say staff have the right to refuse unvaccinated people entry to biology offices and labs.
“We’re not asking for proof of vaccination, we’re simply making it clear, if you’re not vaccinated, you should not be entering faculty offices or faculty labs,” Côté told CTV News.
Gabe Liosis, president of the Simon Fraser Student Society, says he’s hearing from students who are anxious about the return to classes next month, and not for normal reasons like stressful projects and exams.
“They’re very concerned about the fact that there are no mask requirements at most settings in the university, no social distancing requirements, and no capacity limits in most classes, lecture halls, or for events,” Liosis said.
Liosis applauds the biology department for exceeding the current COVID-19 safety measures implemented by the university.
“It’s really heartening to see a faculty going above and beyond the provincial health orders,” Liosis said. “In my view, it’s something the institution as a whole should be looking into.”
Since making the announcement, Côté says she’s heard praise from students and staff, who say they feel a better sense of safety as they prepare to return to campus. She’s also heard grumblings from school administration, but says it’s worth it.
“It’s absolutely essential that, very quickly, we mandate masks regardless of vaccination status and we mandate compulsory vaccination for everyone who can get vaccinated,” she said.
Several post-secondary schools in Ontario, including Queen’s University and the University of Toronto, have adopted mandatory mask and proof of vaccination policies on campus, but B.C. schools have not followed suit.
However, on Friday, UBC’s president and vice-chancellor Santa Ono said in a letter to staff and students that he supports an indoor mask mandate and vaccination requirement at the school. He says he has made his stance known to provincial health officials.
Meanwhile, Joy Johnson, the president of SFU, says the school is in discussions with the province about mask requirements, and an update will be provided to staff and students later in August. With less than a month until classes get underway, some feel time is running out.
“If we don’t see these basic health and safety measures put in place for September, we might see massive work refusals from our membership and other workers on campuses,” said Katie Gravestock, chief steward of the SFU Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU).
The TSSU is one of several groups to sign on to an open letter last week, asking the provincial government to implement stronger public health measures before in-person classes resume this fall.
“What we’re hearing from senior administrators at SFU is that they have been directed by the province to not exceed the (provincial) guidelines, and I think that is extremely problematic,” said Gravestock.
B.C.’s top doctor says health officials are in regular talks with post-secondary schools about improving safety measures, but has hinted that requiring proof of vaccination for access to campuses is out of the question.
"I think what is critical, and I've said this repeatedly, is that we're not denying people an education because of their immunization status," provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said last week.
Côté hopes her efforts to bolster COVID-19 protocols in the biology department will encourage the school enhance safety measures across all faculties.
“Right now, with the numbers of new COVID cases as they are, we really don’t feel like it’s very safe to come back,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6971466.1721473775!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
investigation Prominent Vancouver lawyer accused of moving criminal cash dies before hearing
Vancouver lawyer Michael Bolton likely defended thousands of people over 50 years of practice. But in the end, he would not get a chance to defend himself.
Here are the signs you're ready to downsize your home
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, many Canadians are looking to find ways to save money, such as downsizing their home. But one Ottawa broker says there are several signs to consider before making the big decision.
Quebec woman's death warns of dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad
Brian McConnell's daughter, Florence McConnell, died after a liposuction surgery complication in Morocco. Now, he warns others against undergoing cosmetic surgeries abroad.
Steam cleaners, kids' helmets, multivitamins: Here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including steam cleaners, hedgehog pet food, kids' bike helmets and multivitamins.
How B.C.'s firefighting smokejumpers take 'ultra-extreme and make it seem mundane'
Standing on the edge of an open aircraft hatch, a smokejumper in a pale yellow suit steadies himself before rocking back then swinging out the door and vanishing as gravity takes over.
Israeli military says it has struck several Houthi targets in Yemen in response to attacks
The Israeli army says it has struck several Houthi targets in western Yemen on Saturday following a fatal drone attack by the rebel group in Tel Aviv the previous day.
Newfoundland RCMP charge 71-year-old man with impaired driving after head-on collision kills two
Mounties in Newfoundland say a 71-year-old man is facing charges today related to his alleged involvement in a collision that killed two women in January.
'Didn't bother nobody:' U.S. postal worker killed while delivering mail
A mail carrier was fatally shot while walking a route in Chicago, authorities said. Investigators at the U.S. Postal Service are offering up to US$250,000 for tips that solve the case.
BREAKING LCBO confirms strike over, stores to reopen Tuesday
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and the union representing 10,000 of its workers reached a tentative agreement Saturday, clearing the way for stores to open Tuesday.