VIUSU Takes Action Against VIU’s Lockdown Measures
Photo captured by CHLY reporter, Lauryn Mackenzie. Read her article here.
On May 2, Vancouver Island University implemented lockdown measures in response to the VIU Palestine Solidarity Encampment. These actions have sparked significant concern within the student community regarding the implications for freedom of expression and students' rights. While most of the lockdown measures have been lifted, the VIU Students' Union has continued to take decisive steps to address the resulting issues and implications, seeking to hold the university accountable and ensure that such measures do not reoccur in the future. This blog post outlines our recent actions and requests, aiming to inform our community of VIUSU’s mobilization in defence of students’ collective rights.
May 3: Seeking Legal Counsel
In light of the lockdown measures enacted by Vancouver Island University (VIU) in response to the VIU Palestine Solidarity Encampment, the VIU Students' Union (VIUSU) sought legal counsel to investigate these actions. Our primary concern is the impact these measures have on students' rights and freedoms, particularly the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression.
May 7: Students’ Union Chairperson writes in response to VIU’s lockdown measures.
A letter from VIUSU’s Chairperson, Sarah Mei Lyana, was sent to BC’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education & Future Skills, along with VIU’s Senior Administration & Board of Governors in response to VIU’s actions related to the Palestine Solidarity Encampment on the Nanaimo Campus. The letter expressed VIUSU’s deep concerns regarding the administration's leadership decisions and urged provincial authorities to:
1. Direct VIU to immediately reverse the campus lockdown, remove security checkpoints, and reopen the library.
2. Ensure VIU provides the Students’ Union with ongoing public communications to better serve our members, addressing the current issue and preventing future communication breakdowns.
3. Encourage VIU's Board of Governors to review these actions thoroughly and engage in meaningful oversight, ensuring decisions are made transparently and with full stakeholder involvement.
4. Support and facilitate good faith dialogue between VIU and the protesters to address and resolve the underlying issues constructively.
May 7: Open letter from VIU Faculty and Employees Regarding the VIU Palestine Solidarity Encampment.
Vancouver Island University faculty members and employees wrote an open letter to VIU’s administration about the extreme measures threatened in response to the peaceful student protest encampment on the Nanaimo campus. More than 100 faculty members, staff, and alumni from BCGEU, CUPE, and VIUFA, signed a letter in solidarity with the Palestine Solidarity Encampment. They requested to immediately undertake actions such as retracting the letter issued to student protestors on May 2, restore 24/7 access to the library for VIU students access washrooms, water, and study spaces, engage in a respectful and good-faith dialogue with student protestors about their eight demands, and more.
May 8: VIU Lifts Lockdown Measures
On May 8, a message from VIU indicated that VIU was closely monitoring the Palestine Solidarity Encampment on its Nanaimo campus, and emphasized its support for peaceful protests and freedom of expression.
This message announced that VIU’s Nanaimo campus buildings returned to their regular summer hours. As of this date the library is currently operating with open access from 9am to 4pm on weekdays, card access from 4pm to midnight, and is closed from midnight to 9am. On weekends, the library is accessible by card from 9 am to midnight.
VIUSU Chairperson, Sarah Mei Lyana, did not receive a response from the Presidents office regarding her letter the day prior.
May 16: Letter from Legal Counsel to VIU President and Minister of Post-Secondary and Future Skills
On May 16, VIUSU’s legal counsel sent a letter to VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier, Minister of Post-Secondary and Future Skills, Hon. Lisa Beare, and the student body. The letter outlined our concerns regarding the lockdown measures and their implications for student rights on campus. This formal communication underscores our commitment to advocating for our members and ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels.
May 16: Request to Present at Board of Governors Meeting (edited)
On the same day, VIUSU also submitted a request to VIU’s University Secretariat and *Board of Governors to present at the upcoming Board of Governors meeting on May 23. Our aim is to bring the critical issues brought forward by VIUSU’s legal counsel to the forefront and seek accountability and transparency from the university administration.
VIUSU has not received a response from the President or Board of Governors, and was not included as a presenter on the agenda for the May 23 Board of Governors meeting.
*EDIT: It has come to VIUSU's attention that the Board of Governors Chair did not receive our request to present at the May 23 meeting. Shortly after this article was published, the Chair contacted VIUSU to inform us of their oversight and expressed his commitment to ensure that VIUSU would have the opportunity to advocate to the VIU Board in the future.
May 17: President’s Message to Campus Community
The first official statement from President Saucier on the Solidarity Encampment was released. She shared that in recent weeks, Vancouver Island University (VIU) has faced significant challenges due to the Palestine Solidarity Encampment at its Nanaimo campus. That the encampment has sparked a variety of responses from the VIU community, reflecting deep divisions over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She states that the VIU administration reiterates its support for peaceful demonstrations and freedom of expression but doubles down on the need to address safety concerns and policy violations related to the encampment. This statement also addresses what President Saucier refers to as misinformation - denying allegations of RCMP involvement and emphasizing ongoing dialogue with encampment organizers.
VIUSU has not received a response from the president’s office regarding the letter from VIUSU’s legal counsel.
Moving Forward
VIUSU to advocate for the rights and interests of our members. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and work to ensure that VIU remains a place where freedom of expression and student rights are respected and upheld.
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