SFU students stage walkout to protest return to in-person learning
After starting the semester with remote learning, Simon Fraser University resumed in-person classes on Monday, leading a group of students still concerned about the dangers posed by the coronavirus to stage a walkout at the school’s Burnaby campus.
About 40 students gathered at Convocation Mall to listen to a number of speakers before marching to the administration building where they chanted, hoping to get the attention of those who made the decision to bring students back to class.
"This return is going to kill people and it doesn’t need to happen," said Emma Hacker, a political science student. "Continued spread of Omicron is going to cause untold harm, not only to vulnerable members of the community but to the entire Lower Mainland."
Hacker pointed out that thousands of SFU students rely on transit to get to campuses throughout Metro Vancouver, and it is not possible to physically distance on crowded buses and skytrain cars.
"I care about SFU and the people in my community," Hacker said. "And it’s really clear to me that SFU, according to their actions, does not."
CTV News requested an on-camera interview with someone from the school’s administration but SFU declined and instead provided an emailed statement from Catherine Dauvergne, the university’s provost.
"There is a unique and irreplaceable value to in-person learning and we have been guided in our decision to return to in-person learning by Public Health and through work with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training," she said in the email.
"We recognize the anxiety and concerns that people are experiencing from the pandemic, it has been a long and difficult few years. We know that there are a wide range of opinions and preferences amongst our community, but it’s particularly important to note that the majority of in-person classroom and learning settings are not considered close-contact environments for the transmission of COVID-19, based on the layers of protection that are in place, i.e., vaccination, masks, and ventilation.”
Some students who attended the walkout did not want to share their names with CTV News over concerns it could impact their standing at the university.
"I just think SFU is very harsh with reactions to students who use their voices," said one student who is pursuing a double-major in Criminology and Gender Studies.
She said classrooms are full, with students sitting side-by-side without additional separation or barriers.
"Why weren’t we consulted? Why weren’t we asked how we wanted the school to be run?" she asked. "So, that is why we are here, so students can have a voice and be able to tell them. And hopefully they will listen."
Dauvergne said SFU is willing to work with students on an individual basis if they do not wish to attend classes in-person.
"If a student feels that they cannot participate in classes as scheduled, they do have options available. Academic concessions are available to all students," she said. "SFU’s Centre for Accessible Learning also supports accommodations for all students with documented disabilities under human rights policy. We have strengthened supports for students feeling anxiety and we encourage all students in need of support to reach out."
More than 4,400 people have signed an online petition calling for the school to continue with online learning, but only a few dozen attended the student walkout.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison
Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.