SFSS VP Student Life
8888 University Dr V5A 1S6 Burnaby, BC, Canada

Work reports are up again! Check out what I've been doing recently: https://bit.ly/vpslworkreport

Thoughts Post Dec 16 Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) Council Meeting It's been a heavy week, but I'm happy to see that Council passed a motion in support o...f a statement written by Black SFU community members calling for justice and condemning Simon Fraser University for the racial profiling, unnecessary escalation, and violent arrest of a Black alumn on Burnaby campus on Dec 11. Of the 140 attendees at yesterday's SFSS Council meeting, I witnessed so many allies that I recognized show up and vocally support Black students. Thank you for being there. And thank you to POC allies I've seen that have been putting in much labour this week to alleviate burden from us, including clearing up misinformation, amplifying Black voices, engaging in social media comments, mobilizing allies towards action, etc. While the outcome of the meeting was positive, I will also acknowledge the distress and toll this meeting took on me and many other Black students that attended. I understand that Black people are at the forefront meaningful anti-racist change, but we (especially SFSS President Osob Mohamed) did not deserve to go through that traumatising experience and the lead up to it this week. One motion put forward, which failed, was a systemic and deliberate attempt to silence/speak over Black folks. I am extremely drained and filled with mixed emotions today. To my Black brothers and sisters: Please rest. Reach out for academic accommodation or mental health support if you need (more info in comments). Take breaks from the Internet, and intentionally make time, even if little, to do something that brings you peace. Thank you for being there - literally and metaphorically. Chatting throughout the meeting on the Black student group chats and calling afterwards to connect is an irreplaceable kind of support as we all process heaviness. You pulled up for Black women on this Board who've been targets of hate as we try to do our work when we really needed you, and I'm grateful for the community. Students of Caribbean & African Ancestry SFU African Students' Association SFU Somali Students Association In solidarity, B #BlackAtSFU

If this semester has been a struggle for you, you're not alone. We're launching the #DearSFU campaign, where we urge students to write a card to SFU expressing their concerns. Get more details and submit your card using the link: forms.gle/ta9qPPziCs3cBXK18

The Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) wholeheartedly condemns the violent arrest of a Black SFU Alumnus by Burnaby RCMP at SFU Dining Hall, on the evening of ...December 11th, 2020... SFU Campus Public Safety must stop calling the police on Black and Indigenous students and students of colour who are not causing any harm. SFU’s supposed commitments to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) mean nothing when this type of action is only performative, while continuing to ignore the trauma that continues to be faced by BIPOC members of our community. The SFSS is requesting action be taken immediately by this University for the safety of our Black, Indigenous, and other racialized community members. We are calling for: 1. A statement and apology from the SFU President and Campus Public Safety on their complicity in allowing this arrest to occur. 2. A review on how and when campus security interacts with police. 3. Immediately re-evaluate SFU’s relationship with the Burnaby RCMP, including: *Disallowing RCMP recruitment on campus *Not calling the police on Black and Indigenous Peoples particularly when no harm to SFU community members is being caused 4. More thorough training for SFU campus security on de-escalation tactics, anti-racism, and bias awareness. Read the full statement here: http://bit.ly/3gNQDjT

A Black SFU alumnus was racially profiled, arrested, pepper-sprayed, and tasered after getting food at the Dining Hall. Tell SFU to stop calling the cops on Bla...ck and Indigenous community members! More information about the situation below. --- Email template written by Black SFU community members: https://docs.google.com//1iEnerDTwXLj_weYwmU4-7kwciGq/edit Please amplify & share & write emails to SFU admin! Email addresses are in the template. --- UPDATE - ACTION TOOLKIT HERE: https://docs.google.com//1BQAmSUkFL0NWV9KRTczR5Fojd7/edit --- Other ways to support: 1. Sign the open letter by SFU community members: https://docs.google.com//1ixOi7bSlWHSqIKjHpSjwVB-uj1H/edit 2. Share and donate to the legal and defense fund for the alumnus: https://www.gofundme.com/f/black-alumni-arrested-on-campus- 3. Share and amplify the words of Black students and alumni regarding the incident. Echo their calls for accountability and justice. Statement from another Black alumnus: https://drive.google.com//1AcablEfMo_KPaXKpKLzd3vljcy/view 4. Fight disinformation and racist stereotyping of the alumnus in your own social media networks. --- On Friday night, a Black SFU alumnus was violently arrested by the RCMP after paying for his meal at the Dining Hall. Security followed him for almost an hour, then called the police on him. While the RCMP claims they followed de-escalation protocols, video evidence and witnesses show that neither the security nor the police tried to calm the situation or do proper fact finding. Police pepper sprayed and shot the graduate in the head with a taser. This can cause seizures, and is warned against by Taser International. All of this happened within 10 minutes of police arriving. The alumnus was not holding any weapons or posing any danger to himself or others. He had a valid ID. He was wearing a mask. He only acted in self-defense after being pepper-sprayed. White alumni have spoken out about how they have been able to get food from the dining hall without being arrested and violently assaulted. A recent active shooter threat on campus was met with less violence and aggression than this. Uneven profiling and enforcement of the H1 policy is happening: no class activity check is done for other SFU alumni on campus. All they do is check for ID. SFU also has conflicting information on their website and emails about who is or isn't allowed on campus. Alumni have both been told they are and are not allowed on campus. NOTHING justifies the level of violence enacted on the graduate. Tell SFU to: 1. Center Black students and workers during the review process in a decision-making capacity. Have external groups brought into this process chosen by Black, Indigenous, and community members of color. 2. Initiate immediate accountability action for campus security officer(s) who called the police, publicly condemn RCMP’s action, and call for disciplinary action for the offending officer. 3. Re-evaluate SFU’s relationship with the Burnaby RCMP; implement a moratorium on RCMP’s ability to recruit on campus; and implement a University policy committing Campus Public Safety to stop calling the police on Black and Indigenous people if no harm to the SFU community is being caused. 4. Change the policies on H1 rating for COVID-19, or commit not to enforce the policy if there is no equal approach to ensure that all ID holders are asked if they are current "community members". [Image description: Black and red text on cream background that reads: Tell SFU: Stop calling the cops on Black people doing no harm! with the word "stop" underlined.]

SFU DNA has $150 available to give out as 6 $25 grocery gift cards to disabled and neurodivergent SFU students. Fill out the form by Dec. 23 to enter the draw!... bit.ly/sfudnagroceries We will be looking into obtaining more funding to provide grocery cards to more people next term. The Simon Fraser Student Society also has a food bank program. Undergrad students can apply for $25 three times per semester using their student number. Learn more here: https://sfss.ca/services/food-bank-program/ Other community resources: Saige Food Bank and Community Kitchen: https://saigecommunityfoodbank.com/ Greater Vancouver Food Bank: https://www.foodbank.bc.ca/ Surrey Food Bank: http://www.surreyfoodbank.org/ Langley Food Bank: http://www.langleyfoodbank.com/ Richmond Food Bank: http://richmondfoodbank.org/ Food Bank BC: http://www.foodbanksbc.com/ Food Bank Canada: https://www.foodbankscanada.ca/ SHARE: http://sharesociety.ca/food-bank/ Single Parent Food Bank: http://www.singleparentfoodbank.org/ If you have any questions for us, please contact us at [email protected]. [Image description: Yellow text on black background that reads: "Grocery Gift Cards for Disabled & Neurodivergent SFU Students 6 $25 gift cards available Fill out form by Dec. 23 to enter the draw bit.ly/sfudnagroceries" Graphic on the right of a bag of groceries.]

Looking for event support? We want to support your event next month! Tell us your ideas for December, and our Events Committee might choose to collaborate with ...you. Interested? Fill out our form before November 16 and we’ll be in touch: https://forms.gle/21Y2vF9bWMJPjNNB6 *Each event proposition will be evaluated based on the value it may provide to SFU undergrads.

Hey everyone, The Peak is hiring once again for the Spring 2021 semester. Check out https://the-peak.ca/jobs/ for full job descriptions for each position. Individuals identifying as BIPOC and/or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

You’ve got a lot on your plate and don’t know how to optimize your time? Join us tomorrow as we welcome back Koralee Pearson from Organized Inspiration to give you Time Management Strategies and Tips. RSVP: https://bit.ly/3eGjm9n Stay tuned for our next #TidyTuesdays workshops.

Learn how to stay productive using the bullet journal method and get organized with essential spreads for the next school semester with Annabelle of bellasuuCREATIONS calligraphy. Join us tomorrow (Oct. 30) from 2 - 4pm. Registrations here: http://websurvey.sfu.ca/survey/382547204

Over 600 students attended our first fully-online AGM, all by-law proposals were passed by the membership, and the membership has officially condemned SFU for i...ncreasing tuition during a pandemic, and demanded a response from the Board of Governors and SFU admin. Feeling so grateful to my amazing team of board members, to our committees, SFSS staff, SFSS Council, and every single student to attended, shared, or helped us make this happen. When we say student power, this is what we're talking about!! #SFSSAGM2020

I'm so excited for tomorrow omg remember to RSVP here if you haven't already: https://bit.ly/AGM2020SFSS

What exactly is #StudentPower? It's all about you! Representing you and having your voice heard. See what some of our execs have to say about it. And don't forget: on October 26th, Bring Back Student Power. Attend our #SFSSAGM2020, on October 26th, from 3:30-6:30pm: bit.ly/2020AGMSFSS

It's that time of the month again...work reports are up! check it out here: https://bit.ly/vpslworkreport also ive been jamming to mayday parade's new EP (out of here) on repeat recently, what have u been listening to?? drop ur spotify playlists in the comments i need new music to listen to

Hey everyone! Looking to take action and hold meaningful discussions on local and global issues? Interested in helping shape the future of energy? Come... to our icebreaker session on Thursday, October 29, where we will be introducing the Student Energy SFU team and share the aims and background of the Student Energy organization. We want to learn about what each of you is passionate about and discuss sustainability and your potential role in it! It will be a chill event to get to know each other and learn a little something. We hope to see you (and your friends) there! Sign up link: https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLScBM51ffqR6Am97-o/viewform #sfu #studentenergy #renewableenergy #climatechange #climateaction #greenenergy #cleanenergy

ok we've been talking about the AGM a lot but what even is it? i made an AGM cheat sheet to help u understand - there are so many memes in it so be sure to check it out! https://docs.google.com//1nwOjMPvADspOnp9F1m5QDjoRWgG/edit

we rly did that https://bit.ly/AGM2020SFSS

Join us next Saturday to find out who murdered the Eggo waffle! Our first-ever murder mystery night will: challenge your riddle-solving skills... give you the chance to show off your Stranger Things knowledge provide a chance to win a $50 gift card For free tickets, check out the link in our bio! Only 20 tickets available https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stranger-things-murder-mystery-

see u there for the tuition increase condemnation vote https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sfss-2020-agm-tickets-123256079