Board of Directors Statements/Issue-Based Resolutions

This page highlights CSA Board of Director resolutions generally consisting of policy that the CSA takes a stance on. It is policy that either opposes, supports and/or condones, but not limited to, actions that the Union or a third-party carries out. An example of such policy is taking a stance on international, national and domestic issues, such as tuition fees.

This archive has been established to meet Bylaw 4 - Policy of the CSA, Subsection 1.1.2, b), and the following resolutions are archived for a period of three years.

Resolutions are presented below within the academic year they were passed, and under the corresponding date that the CSA Board of Directors approved it.

2024-2025

At the November 25 senate meeting, a Graduate Student Senator asked University Administrators the following question. Both Student Senators and the CSA await their response.

In the University of Guelph’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan roadmap, the university committed to “increasing the number of students enrolled in research based graduate programs” (University of Guelph, n.d., p.1). They have stated “Graduate students are key to [their] reputation as a top comprehensive and research-intensive university” (University of Guelph, 2023, p.17); however, most of us are familiar with the saying “actions speak louder than words”. The University of Guelph’s actions this year reflect a systematic disregard for the best interests of graduate students, running counter to their statement that graduate students are crucial to the university and directly and negatively impacting the ability of graduate students to focus on research and academics.

In the past 5 months:

Tri-Council top-up funds previously funded by OGPS, were discontinued prior to the start of the fall 2024 semester for all students who had previously or would have in the future received the $5,000/ year top up. This information was communicated to affected students after leases would have been signed and budgets made;
HR system payment issues led to university employees, including graduate students, not being paid for up to 2 months. As a result, CUPE’s emergency fund (which has an annual allocation of $200,000) was depleted in just 6 weeks. Students who relied on this fund for additional expenses unrelated to payroll issues, are now unable to access these funds;
Cancellation of the payroll deduction system (or graduate settlement) for graduate students. Historically, graduate students working as sessional lecturers or teaching assistants have had the option to have their tuition fees deducted from their paycheques. They could select this option by completing a graduate settlement. On October 18^th, Student Financial Services sent an email notifying graduate students currently using payroll deductions, that the process was being discontinued effective Winter 2025. By Summer 2025 all graduate students will be expected to have thousands of dollars saved to pay tuition, which is impossible for many graduate students who are already living paycheque to paycheque (Pare, 2023);
Amidst the housing crisis, graduate students received notices to terminate tenancy from West Residence. Many of these tenants are either international graduate students or families, who are some of the most vulnerable to housing accessibility issues. Finding similar style accommodations off campus, will come with larger financial, emotional, and legal costs for these students.

These decisions directly impact graduate students but have been made with no apparent graduate student consultation, and have subsequently been shared in a siloed manner, with advisors not being notified, and with only select graduate students being informed. If advisors do not have access to pertinent information they cannot accurately advise or support their current or future students. If all graduate students are not informed of changes that may impact them in the future, they also cannot plan accordingly for future semesters. There are still hundreds of students who have yet to be informed of any of these changes.

Research consistently links financial stress with poorer academic performance (Cadaret & Bennett, 2019; Sverdlik et al., 2018). A majority of graduate students in Canada are experiencing serious financial concerns (Laframboise et al., 2023). These financial stressors have direct impacts on graduate students’ ability to perform academically and complete their studies (Cadaret & Bennett, 2019; Sverdlik et al., 2018).

These new stressors add to the vulnerable state in which graduate students—and in particular international graduate students—find themselves. The 2022 National College Health Assessment report shows that 39.5% of University of Guelph students are experiencing food insecurity (American College Health Association, 2022). However, recent surveys have shown that 81% of students accessing the University of Guelph food bank are graduate students. 74% of all students accessing the food bank are international graduate students (A. Griffith[1], personal communication, November 6, 2024). The ripple effects of these changes will be hard felt by those most vulnerable. The rate of food insecurity and need for foodbank services can be expected to continue to rise for graduate students.

Each of the above decisions made by university administrators compound the financial stresses experienced by graduate students. These changes introduce new roadblocks for graduate students, making a challenging academic experience significantly harder. The University of Guelph’s decisions to reduce or cancel resources promised to graduate students creates feelings of betrayal. The message many of us are hearing from the University of Guelph, is that we are unwelcome, unwanted, and unsupported here. This has direct impacts on the success, academic performance and research productivity of all graduate students, falling under the purview of Senate. What actions, if any, does the University of Guelph plan to take to show graduate students that they are welcome, wanted, and supported here?

References

American College Health Association (2022). American College Health Association – National College Health Assessment III: University of Guelph Executive Summary.

Cadaret, M. C., & Bennett, S. R. (2019). College students’ reported financial stress and its relationship to psychological distress, Journal of College Counseling, 22(3), 225-239.

Laframboise, S. J., Bailey, T., Dang, A. T., Rose, M., Zhou, Z., Berg, M. D., . . . & Sinclair, K. (2023). Analysis of financial challenges faced by graduate students in Canada. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 101(4), 326-360.

Pare, M. (May 1, 2023). Grad students calling for livable wage; walk out happening today. Guelph Today. https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/grad-students-calling-for-livable-wage-walk-out-happening-today-6924111

Sverdlik, A., Hall, N. C., McAlpine, L., & Hubbard, K. (2018). The PhD experience: a review of factors influencing doctoral students’ completion, achievement and well-being. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 13, 361-388.

University of Guelph (2023). Budget plan 2023-24 to 2027-28. https://api.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev/sites/default/files/2023-07/University-of-Guelph-Budget-Plan-2023-24.pdf

University of Guelph (n.d.). Our Time: University of Guelph Strategic Plan 2022-2027: Our Strategic Plan sets our vision. Our roadmap sets our course. https://api.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev/sites/default/files/2024-03/our-time-university-of-guelph-strategic-roadmap-march-21-2024.pdf

[1] A. Griffith: Coordinator for the Guelph Student Food Bank

2023-2024

Public Statement January 23^rd

The Central Student Association wishes to express, in no uncertain terms, its continued and steadfast opposition to the proposed partnership with Navitas, a for-profit corporation, which seeks to privatize a portion of our university's teaching. This decision is not taken lightly. It is a reflection of our profound commitment to uphold the integrity of education, the value of our degrees, and the welfare of our student body. Our university is a beacon of academic excellence and social responsibility, and we believe that any partnership with a for-profit entity like Navitas would severely undermine these values.

Our concerns echo those raised by our campus unions, including UGFA, CUPE 1334, CUPE 3913, OPSEU 231, OSSTF District 35, USW 4120, and USW 4120-1 in their April 2023 joint letter. Together, we stand united in our conviction that such a partnership would:

● Irreparably harm the University’s academic standards and reputation.

● Devalue the high-quality, publicly-funded education we cherish.

● Undermine our university's commitment to internationalization and EDI, especially

impacting students from low-income families.

● Lead to the exploitation of students and their families.

● Exacerbate socioeconomic divides on campus and strain already limited university

resources and facilities.

● Increase precarious employment statuses among our dedicated instructional staff.

The CSA firmly rejects the notion that the values of Navitas align with those of our university community. We are committed to preserving the educational mission of the University of Guelph as a public good, not a corporate commodity. As such, we call upon the University of Guelph Administration, Board of Governors, Senate, and all other parties to reject any deal with Navitas. We urge the university to seek ethical, sustainable ways to achieve its internationalization and EDI goals that align with our core values of equity, inclusivity, and academic freedom. We stand with the numerous other Canadian universities that have considered and rightly rejected similar arrangements, maintaining a commitment to educational excellence and social responsibility. The CSA will continue to advocate fiercely for the interests of our student body and the broader university community in this matter.

2022-2023

October 18th - Statement on Israel Hamas War

The CSA Board of Directors strongly condemns the horrific massacre perpetrated by Hamas against innocent Israeli civilians, on a holy Jewish holiday, in which over 1,000 innocent civilians were killed on residential streets, in their homes, and while attending a music festival. There should never be any justification whatsoever for the murder, torture, rape, and the abduction of innocent civilians to be held as hostages. There is a great importance in calling out pure evil where and when it exists, as this practice allows us to stand in unity against actions that are wrong by any universal standard of morality and to demand accountability and justice from those responsible for the evil. As has been repeatedly echoed by Canadian public figures, organizations, and politicians, the actions of Hamas can only be classified as “evil,” and those who support these vile acts have no place in Canada and no place at the University of Guelph.

Hamas is a genocidal and internationally recognized terrorist organization, whose founding charter openly calls for the annihilation of the country of Israel as well as the extermination of the Jewish people worldwide. It is alarming and saddening to see the countless reports of recent “rallies” worldwide celebrating the vile and inhumane attack perpetrated by Hamas, in which some participants have called for antisemitic violence. We are also concerned about the rising rate of antisemitic incidents that have been occurring globally since Hamas’s senseless act of terrorism. These troubling and ongoing antisemitic incidents worldwide are horrific and are stark reminders of our responsibility to stand up for the Jewish members of our community in times in which they feel unsafe, attacked, and threatened. We need to make sure to stand against all acts of hate and violence. The CSA has zero tolerance for antisemitism, Islamophobia, and bigotry of any kind.

We are concerned about the lives of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Innocent Palestinians should not be used as civilian shields by Hamas, nor should they be forced to remain in terrorist-embedded territories for the purposes of shielding members of Hamas and their infrastructure. Countless Palestinian lives have been lost as a result of Hamas’s evil reign of power. We are deeply concerned for innocent Palestinian civilians whose lives have now been threatened due to the horrific actions of Hamas and the subsequent humanitarian crisis.

We yearn for the day of peace in the Middle East and hope for the cessation of bloodshed.

November 15th - Statement on the Violence in the Middle East

The University of Guelph Central Students’ Association (CSA) is the undergraduate student voice on our campus, and it is our responsibility per the CSA mandate to contribute to a positive atmosphere of acceptance, inclusion, and belonging at the University of Guelph. We seek to be a positive force in bringing students within our community close together and ensuring that all students have adequate resources and support in times of difficulty. It is important to recognize the unimaginable impact that recent events in Israel and Gaza have had on members within our university community, and we sympathize with all of our members who have connections to the ongoing conflict. This is an extremely troubling time which impacts many of our students as well as members of our local and international community deeply.

We recognize that many students feel strongly about the ongoing conflict; and when tensions rise in the Middle East, tensions rise on university campuses globally. It is important to remember that none of our Palestinian, Israeli, Jewish, Muslim, or other student communities are responsible for the actions of political leaders in the Middle East. The CSA is committed to working collaboratively with the university and the student population at large to combat and condemn antisemitism, islamophobia, and all forms of hate. We encourage our University of Guelph community to build a respectful and mindful environment amid this conflict. In this incredibly painful moment for many of our students, it is more important than ever that we come together to support, listen to, and care for one another.

We encourage all affected community members to access the supports that the University of Guelph has in place, which can be found below:

International Student Advisors

International.student.advisor@uoguelph.ca

Cultural Diversity Advisor

cultural.diversity@uoguelph.ca

Student Wellness Counselling Services

https://wellness.uoguelph.ca/counselling

Keep Me Safe

https://www.keepmesafe.org/

Multi-Faih Resource Team

Faith@uoguelph.ca 519-824-4120 Ext. 58909

Sincerely,

CSA Board of Directors

April 3, 2023
An Open Letter on the Student Housing Crisis in Guelph

WHEREAS on Wednesday, March 29 CSA Executives were forwarded an Open Letter on the Student Housing Crisis in Guelph written by concerned students at the University;
WHEREAS the CSA Executives were asked to amplify and disseminate the Open Letter to support the initiative; and
WHEREAS this call to action aligns with the advocacy efforts of the CSA regarding affordable housing for students;

RESOLVED that:
a. the CSA post the Open Letter on the Student Housing Crisis in Guelph on Instagram and the CSA website to show solidarity and create awareness to the student housing crisis in Guelph

Copy of letter:
An Open Letter on the Student Housing Crisis in Guelph

To the University of Guelph, the City of Guelph and anyone concerned with the student housing crisis in the City.

We are a group of concerned undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Guelph. Many of us are a part of the 5,899 first year students the university admitted for the 2022/2023 school year. We want to share our lived experiences of the student housing crisis in the City of Guelph and call for action! Many of us are struggling to find adequate housing for the coming academic year. We have experienced and/or heard stories of fellow students waiting in long lines to view a potential rental house, with no guarantee of securing a lease. The issue is not only the number of students looking for housing, but a lack of appropriate, affordable housing options provided by the University and the City of Guelph more broadly. In 2021 Guelph had a 1.9% vacancy rate (Guelph Mercury, 2023). This has been further exacerbated by the presence of corporate interests interfering with the housing industry, ongoing effects of the pandemic on the housing market, increasing rates of inflation and higher costs of living across Ontario. The average price for a one bedroom apartment in Guelph is $2,049 per month; for students, even a small room in a six bedroom house can go for around $1,000 plus utilities (Guelph Today, 2023). We cannot afford this.

The student housing crisis in Guelph is impacting us, and the residents of Guelph more broadly, in many ways. As highlighted in a recent Guelph Today and Guelph Mercury article, as students we have seen the price of student housing skyrocketing. We have experienced housing shortages on and off campus, forcing some of us to drive long commutes, sleep in our friends’ dorm rooms, or even consider informal subletting options. If this situation continues, we anticipate a rise in insecure housing options including students couch hopping, sleeping in our cars, and student homelessness more generally. The student housing crisis also has potential consequences for our education. In many cases the search for housing is distracting us from our studies. We are at the University of Guelph to pursue an education but the reality is, if we are unable to find a house in Guelph or if commuting is not an option, the lack of housing in the City will result in some of us being forced to drop out or take time off from school. All of this has negative impacts on our mental health. Many of us are experiencing excessive stress from the tiring process of looking for housing and wondering where we will live next year. The amount of time consumed as we search is also increasing our stress. The fear (or reality!) of not having a basic need met is hindering our ability to care for ourselves and others. We know that this impacts us as international and domestic students differently and inequitably as the current crisis reproduces racism and classism already embedded within housing systems.

But it’s not just students who are affected. The number of students looking for housing in the City of Guelph will also impact community members more broadly. The growing demand for housing means that non-student residents will face higher rent prices and increased difficulty finding a place to live. This will undoubtedly put a strain on the 165 of 168 already underfunded structures and organizations in place to help support families experiencing poverty or housing challenges in the City of Guelph.

If the University of Guelph wants to be seen as a university that cares, then they need to play an active role in ensuring that all students have access to adequate, accessible, and affordable housing throughout their studies. Why would students continue to come to the University of Guelph if they have no place to live while doing so?

So what needs to be done? We don’t have the answers, but we do have ideas about who needs to be working to fix this crisis and actions that need to be taken.

We call on the University of Guelph administration to acknowledge their role in the student housing crisis and respond urgently and adequately to the needs of students. This includes listening to students when we say “The student housing crisis in Guelph is not okay.” It also includes providing students with more and better resources and supports - we should not have to provide free labour to landlords in exchange for affordable housing like one UofG spokesperson suggested! The University accepted 45% more students in 2022/2023 than the previous year (Guelph Mercury, 2023); a clear plan for housing is needed to deal with this increase!
We call on the City of Guelph to consider their responsibility to students who come to the City to attend University. Make a plan and work with the University and residents (including students, other renters, and landlords) to increase access to adequate and affordable housing across the City! This isn’t just a student concern, this is a community concern which requires a community solution.
And finally, we call on the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to pay attention to what is happening in Guelph (and elsewhere). The student housing crisis here is another consequence of the housing crisis unfolding in Ontario and across Canada more broadly and must not be ignored!

Sincerely,
Concerned University of Guelph students asking for a truly caring and urgent response.

November 30, 2022
Guelph Iranian Students Association – Statement: Calls to Action

WHEREAS protests have been ongoing in Tehran against the government of Iran since September 16, 2022, in response to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini (Zhina Amini) for violating Iran’s mandatory hijab law;
WHEREAS protesters are not being heard as the Iranian government attempts to ban foreign correspondents, and do not allow media to report, film, or take photographs of the protests;
WHEREAS the International Federation of Journalists states that 32 journalists have been arrested;
WHEREAS internet in Iran has frequently been massively interrupted or shut down;
WHEREAS it has been estimated that over 300 people, including 41 children, have been killed since the protests started;
WHEREAS Iranian students on campus have been impacted negatively by the on-going events in Iran and are in dire need of extra supports in place on campus;

RESOLVED that:

the CSA support our Iranian Students on Campus by approving the calls to action addressed in the statement issued by the Guelph Iranian Student Association;
the CSA post GISA’s statement on Instagram and on our website in collaboration with Guelph Iranian Student Association;
the CSA Executives continue to work alongside the Guelph Iranian Student Association in their efforts to have their calls to action heard by members of administration at the University of Guelph.

Copy of letter:
Guelph Iranian Student Association (GISA) Statement & Calls to Action
The murder of Mahsa Amini on 16 September, 2022 by the oppressive Iranian government forces known as the "morality police," has sparked outrage in every corner of the world. Iranians are now fighting for their freedom and fundamental human rights. In these two months, at least 326 people have been killed, including 56 children. The youngest victim of these brutal killings was Kian Pirfalak, a 10-year old boy who was brutally shot in the chest while on his way home in the car with his father. He wanted to become a robotics engineer and had a passion for building. The government has now shattered all his short-lived dreams. Iranian authorities have also recently targeted Iran’s marginalized Kurdish communities and killed protestors in an attempt to spread terror and fear in the region.

"Zan, Zendegi, Azadi", Woman, Life, Freedom, inspired by the revolutionary Kurdish "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi," can be heard in every city around the globe with an Iranian community. From Kurdistan to Sistan Baluchestan, from Mazandaran to Fars, and despite violent crackdowns of protestors by the government forces, Iranians are determined to end the oppression. "Zan, Zendegi, Azadi," embraced by Iranians of all stripes, represents a movement that is anything but a single-issue struggle.

Led by Iranian women, the streets and schools of many cities in Iran, whether in Tehran, Sanandaj, or Zahedan, are battlegrounds for the war against femicide and the patriarchal power that enables it. The strength of the movement is in the clarity of its message: there is no life or liberation for anyone without the liberation of women. The right to choose whether to wear a headscarf is central, but not all encompassing; the movement demands more. Iranians are not just protesting against the compulsory hijab, they are protesting against gender apartheid, unfair trials, extrajudicial killings, lack of freedom of expression, and government corruption.

Iranian students, teachers, and faculty responded to the call from the streets, and extended the people's struggle to campuses and schools. A state of siege has encapsulated the student movement, in a very literal sense. Iranian students and faculty in some universities, Sharif University of Technology for example, are facing the wrath of the government. They are targeted, cornered, beaten, arrested, and shot at. The murder of their peers, coupled with the threat of expulsion, has imposed a spectre of dread throughout Iranian university campuses. Academia is an environment that should be free from any sort of violence and oppression. Freedom of expression and thought should be the fundamental pillars of any institute of higher education. The lack of which defeats the entire purpose of higher learning and academia. The unwavering courage of Iranian students, teachers, and scholars in resisting state repression is commendable.

Authorities have silenced, imprisoned, and tortured any dissident voice in Iran. As the cost for such acts of protest continue to rise, the need for international support and solidarity also rises. It is our responsibility to amplify the voices of Iranians.

Iranian students studying at the University of Guelph are currently coping with strong feelings of grief, guilt, sorrow, and stress, just to name a few. The tragic events unfolding in Iran have negatively affected many students at this University, preventing them from managing day to day tasks, meeting course requirements, and maintaining mental health stability. To help support your Iranian students, who represent a minority group at this University, we kindly ask you to consider some of our needs and demands which include but are not limited to:

Official Response

An official statement by the university, condemning the mass arrests and killings in Iran.
Statements by the Deans, Department Chairs, and School Directors in solidarity with Iranian students, staff, and faculty.
Provide pathways to financial relief through scholarships and bursaries for Iranian students under emotional, mental, and financial strain.

Admissions of Iranian applicants

Increase flexibility in admission requirements and waive application fees for Iranian students at risk.
Extend the deadline for admission applications for Iranian student applicants
Increase flexibility for tuition payments of Iranian students.
Provide a clear procedure for Iranian students to receive leniency and compassion in their coursework.

Community support and Academic support

Provide funding and spaces for public gatherings, conversations, and dialogues.
Farsi-speaking and Iranian identifying mental health counselors available for students and for facilitation of emotional support circles.
Provide funding for Iranian cultural and community programs and events.

In Solidarity,
Guelph Iranian Student Association

2021-2022

September 29, 2021

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
RESOLVED that:
a) The content of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day statement written by the Vice President External as included in the September 29, 2021, Board Package, be endorsed by the CSA Board of Directors.
b) The CSA Board of Directors encourages our members to join students, faculty, and staff on September 30, 2021 as we come together to a ceremony honouring Residential School Survivors and the children who never returned home.

Copy of letter:
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

For the first time, September 30th will be observed as the National Day of Remembrance for Truth and Reconciliation to acknowledge Canada’s dark legacy of the residential school system and the attempted genocide of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Since 2013, Orange Shirt Day on September 30th is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School commemoration events in which Phyllis Webstad shared the memory of her shiny new orange shirt that was taken from her on her first day. This is a day where Indigenous folk and non-Indigenous folk remember and reflect upon the children who died in these ‘schools’ and the survivors who lived. For non-Indigenous folks, Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with Indigenous people of this land – but only if your commitment to solidarity is ongoing and continuous.

In May 2021, the remains of 215 Indigenous children were recovered in a Residential School in Kamloops, B.C. in unmarked graves. Since then, thousands of more children have been recovered near ‘schools’ they were forced to attend. The truth about residential ‘schools’ has been known to all Indigenous folk, but for non-Indigenous people, this year was the first time we learnt about the systemic violence and harm towards Indigenous children at the hands of our government and churches.

Over seven generations of Indigenous people continue to feel indescribable effects of personal and intergenerational trauma to this day. This is not just a historical issue; it is also a current issue.

Residential ‘schools’ is only a part of Canada’s ongoing colonialism. There is an epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people. Dozens of First Nations communities lack clean drinking water. There is a disproportionate number of Indigenous children in foster care. Six years after the completion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the 94 Calls to Action have barely been completed.

We all have a part to play in Truth and Reconciliation, and since our country is not stepping up, then we, the people, must.

How is this day meant to be observed?

Wear Orange
- If you plan to show your solidarity on September 30th, make sure you purchase an orange shirt from an Indigenous-owned business.
Learn about whose land you live on
- Land acknowledgments are important but take it a step further by learning about whose traditional territories you live on.
Do Your Research:
- Now that you know whose traditional territory you live on, the next steps are to learn about the Indigenous People who were the land’s original caretakers. Google them, look up not only their history but also the current issues their communities face and how you could help.
Read the Truth and Reconciliation Report
- Look at the recommendations made by the landmark report released in 2015 and its 94 calls to action.
Connect with your Elected Officials
- Ask them directly what they are doing to make a change. Tell them to stop talking about how much they care and to act on the 94 Calls to Action from the TRC.

Join students, faculty and staff on September 30th as we come together to a ceremony honouring Residential School Survivors and the children who never returned home.

The ceremony will take place on Johnston green from 12pm – 2pm and will be led by Elders Dan and Mary Lou Smoke.

September 15, 2021

Vote on Campus Program Cancellation Statement
MOTION to approve the content of the Vote on Campus Program Cancellation Statement letter as included in the September 15, 2021 [included below], Board Package and for the Vice President External to send it to Elections Canada on behalf of the CSA.

To Elections Canada,

Students at the University of Guelph are deeply disappointed to learn about Elections Canada’s decision to cancel the Vote on Campus project during the 2021 Federal Election.

The Elections Canada Vote on Campus pilot project launched during the 2015 Federal Election provided students with the opportunity to vote on campus during advance polls. The program also allowed students to cast a special ballot at a location on campus to vote for their home local riding. When asked in 2015, nearly a quarter of the electors who cast their ballots through the Vote on Campus program said they would not otherwise have voted. During the 2019 Federal Election, 111,000 students voted on campus using the Vote on Campus polling stations. Although Elections Canada expressed that COVID related barriers and time constraints are the reasons for cancelling the Vote on Campus program, it is still its responsibility to ensure every Canadian has accessibility to a polling station this fall.

Students already have barriers and difficulties voting in Federal elections, whether it is navigating the registration process for first-time voters, voters with new rental addresses, students who are parents or studying part-time or students who need accessible polling stations to vote at on campus. Cancelling the Vote on Campus project during the 2021 Federal Election fails the integrity of Canadian democracy. This decision will reduce access to voting for postsecondary students and workers, and it will prevent a large population of Canadians from voicing their concerns in their home ridings.

We are asking Elections Canada to:
•   Implement a voting program for students.
•   Consider the impact of removing the Vote on Campus program on students, as well as on-campus workers.
•   Acknowledge that if Elections Canada can have polling stations elsewhere, they must be able to implement polling stations on campus as well.

It is imperative that Elections Canada remedy the barriers that students and workers encounter while voting during this current Federal Election and to provide support to students. In the future, students want to see that the Vote on Campus program is guaranteed for all future elections.

June 23, 2021

CSA Statement on Unmarked Graves at Kamloops Residential School
WHEREAS earlier this month, the heartbreaking news of the hidden deaths and mass graves of 215 Indigenous children at the Kamloops Residential School in British Columbia was brought to the attention of non-Indigenous people across the country;
WHEREAS this recent news reflects Canada’s long and on-going history of colonial violence and cultural genocide. The creation and imposition of residential schools was a part of Canada’s colonial efforts, which was heavily funded by the government of Canada; and
WHEREAS it was not until 1996 that residential schools were officially shut down by the Canadian government and we recognize the intergenerational trauma and insurmountable pain that continues to inflict Indigenous communities and individuals today.
RESOLVED that:
a)   The CSA expresses its solidarity with the families who lost their children at residential schools across the country. For the 215 children that did not make it home from Kamloops Residential School; for the thousands more across Canada that are yet to be found; for those that made it home and still carry their pain with them - we honour you, today and every day.
b)   The CSA extends our support to the Indigenous communities of the University of Guelph, who are impacted by the aftermath of this event and ongoing settler-colonialism. This is tragic news to many of us on this land, however, for our Indigenous communities - which has been confirmation of what has been known all along.
c)   The CSA works with the Indigenous Student Society (ISS) in creating an action plan, which may include healing events and workshops, and provide recommendations at the July 7, 2021 Board Meeting.

Open Letter in Solidarity with Laurentian Students and Workers
WHEREAS Solidarity2StopTheCuts@gmail.com is reaching out to Ontario students and student unions to request that organizations sign a letter demonstrating unity across the province standing for adequate public funding for all colleges and universities in Ontario, including Laurentian University.
RESOLVED that the CSA endorse the Open Letter in Solidarity with Laurentian Students and Workers, as included in the June 23, 2021, Board Package, and that staff sign the associated google document by Solidarity2StopTheCuts@gmail.com on behalf of the CSA.

PSSA, CSA, and MSA Solidarity Statement
MOTION to endorse the statement drafted by the Palestinian Student Society Association (PSSA), Muslim Students' Association (MSA), and the Central Student Association (CSA) as presented in the Board Package for the June 23, 2021, Board Meeting.

May 26, 2021

Israeli-Palestinian Statement
WHEREAS the CSA condemns the violence occurring in Palestine and Israel, recognizing that innocent civilians are being attacked, specifically as the most vulnerable and oppressed on the ground are at highest risk of suffering;
WHEREAS the CSA is an organization that is committed to an anti-oppressive mandate and constantly strives to amplify marginalized voices;
WHEREAS the CSA stands in Solidarity with civilians against military violence;
WHEREAS the CSA condemns all forms of hate speech, islamophobia, and anti-Semitism regarding this Israeli-Palestinian issue and advocates for the safety, representation, and inclusion of all students;
WHEREAS the CSA supports an immediate de-escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian violence;
WHEREAS the CSA recognizes the complexity and emotion behind the issue and encourage members to support resolution and de-escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian violence; and
WHEREAS Appendix A: Section 14.5.6 states that "To research and coordinate campaigns which may include antipoverty, anti-corporate, anti-privatization, anti-war, pro-labour, pro democracy, post-secondary funding and support, international students, mature students and students with dependents, poverty, health care, employment, labour, human rights, immigration, criminal law, and economic policy, public funding or social programs.”
RESOLVED that the CSA respond and work alongside impacted CSA members and student organizations to develop a direct action plan on campus, which may include a solidarity statement and options will be presented at a future board meeting.

2020-2021

March 24, 2021

Motion to Write a Statement Against Anti-Asian Racism
WHEREAS on March 16th, 2021, 8 individuals were fatally attacked in Atlanta, Georgia;
WHEREAS 6 of those 8 individuals fatally attacked were Asian women, and this attack was racially motivated;
WHEREAS anti-Asian attacks and xenophobic acts of violence has increased drastically over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
WHEREAS CSA operates under an anti-oppressive mandate that aims to cultivate a learning environment that is safe and equitable for all; and
WHEREAS our students, particularly our Asian students, have been deeply impacted by these events, along with the ongoing xenophobia and anti-Asian racism we see in our communities.
RESOLVED that the CSA write a statement against anti-Asian racism and xenophobia while also working alongside the Asian student groups at UofG to provide support to those impacted.

Guelph Police Safe Sticker Response Resolution
WHEREAS the CSA operates under an anti-oppressive framework intended to support all students but with an acknowledgement that specific communities require dedicated attention and additional support including but not limited to LGBTQIA2S+ folks, indigenous peoples, visibly racialized peoples, disabled folks, and those experiencing financial hardship;
WHEREAS the University of Guelph and its students represents a significant population of our wider Guelph community;
WHEREAS the Guelph Police Service has created a program meant to speak to the needs of marginalized people without consultation with, and then despite resistance by, respected community organizations consisting of such marginalized folks;
WHEREAS it has been determined by respected community organizations and businesses that the Guelph Police Service's new program serves only to justify increased police presence in the downtown core;
WHEREAS increased visible police presence has shown to deter marginalized folks from utilizing public spaces and increasing anxiety and fear of police violence, harassment, and false arrests for marginalized populations; and
WHEREAS Guelph community organizations, businesses, and individuals have been meeting to create a response document that is soon to be released publicly that reflects the frustration with the Guelph Police Service's new program, both in it's policy and in its creation without proper consultation.
MOTION to create a collective response document in consultation and solidarity with special status groups on campus to the Guelph Police Service's "Safe Place" sticker program.

February 10, 2021

Support Farmers in India
WHEREAS the Indian government passed three agricultural bills in September that favour corporations and threaten the livelihoods of farmers;
WHEREAS farmers across Indian have been protesting these bills throughout the past several months;
WHEREAS this movement is the largest protest in the world with millions marching in solidarity;
WHEREAS farm protestors are being met with violence, tear gas, and police brutality;
WHEREAS media has been blocked and internet has been cut off by the government in attempt to hide the human rights violations taking place;
WHEREAS the CSA and the Indian Students Association would like to educate UofG students and garner support for protesting farmers; and
WHEREAS the CSA and the Indian Students Association have written a joint solidarity statement.
RESOLVED that the CSA work alongside the Indian Students Association to raise awareness around this issue and to release the following solidarity statement to show our support.

January 27, 2021

CSA COVID-19 Statement Regarding Campus Outbreak
RESOLVED that the CSA Executive Committee release a statement on the University of Guelph COVID-19 outbreak that speaks to the impact that the actions of those involved have on our community and undergraduate students, guiding the Executive’s discussions with media and the University of Guelph.

CSA Health Plan Referendum Campaign
WHEREAS the CSA Board of Directors ratified a referendum question brought forward by the CSA/GSA Health & Dental Plan Committee regarding the Universal Health Plan;
WHEREAS the current Universal Health Plan is set at a fee of $140 per year and has the potential to increase by the Consumer Price Index annually (e.g. 2.1% in 2020-2021);
WHEREAS the proposed plan with an opt-out option would be set at a fee of $186 and has the potential to increase by a maximum of 4% annually;
WHEREAS Bylaw 1 - Organizational, Section 1.2.1.c) states that we offer members services to save money like health and dental plans, affordable bus passes, and more;
WHEREAS the Executive Committee recognizes that 81% of undergraduate students decided not to opt-out of the dental plan in the 2020-2021 academic year, indicating similar patterns may occur if an opt-out option was introduced for the health plan; and
WHEREAS the CSA has a responsibility to make an informed endorsement prior to asking students to decide on the referendum question.
RESOLVED that:
a) the CSA campaign against the proposed health plan with an opt-out option and represent the No Referendum Team; and
b) the CSA ensures that students receive information on both plans, so CSA Members can make an informed choice, in a manner that is inclusive and does not contribute to divisiveness.

January 13, 2021

Online Assessment Call to Action
WHEREAS the covid pandemic has necessitated the cessation of traditional in-person testing and examinations;
WHEREAS automated proctoring software similar to what the University has adopted since the onset of the pandemic has since been described as ineffective spyware by leading computer scientists [1];
WHEREAS leading academic institutions across North America have banned the use of automated proctoring software in favour of fairer and more accurate student assessment methods [2];
WHEREAS 4,900 University of Guelph students have signed a petition to “End the use of LockDown Browsers” at the University of Guelph [3];
WHEREAS the CSA conducted a survey of University of Guelph undergraduate students showing that automated proctoring software (sometimes referred to as remote invigilation tools), such as Respondus, perpetuate racial bias towards people of colour by inaccurately identifying potential academic misconduct committed by such individuals at almost twice the rate of students who identified as white [4];
WHEREAS that same survey indicated that using lockdown browsers to conduct assessments was the least favoured method by students, and alternatives such as live proctoring through video conferencing software, open book tests, take-home exams, and final assignments were more favoured by the survey’s respondents;
WHEREAS various automated proctoring software solution have numerous privacy concerns associated with them;
WHEREAS groups on campus have brought these concerns to the attention of the University of Guelph administration on numerous occasions since March 2020 [5]; and
WHEREAS it has been over nine months since the beginning of the pandemic and the University of Guelph has yet to develop a cohesive strategy to deal with these issues.
RESOLVED that the CSA:
a) Condemn the University of Guelph’s apparent absence of urgency in developing alternatives to automated proctoring software.
b) Calls on the University of Guelph to consult with students and faculty on developing alternative assessment methods.
c) Calls on the University of Guelph to limit the weight of a student’s final grade assessed via automated proctoring software to no more than 15 percent.
d) Encourages the University of Guelph to reallocate financial resources to facilitate the transition away from using automated proctoring software, such as Respondus, and reimagine how assessments can be conducted to most fairly and accurately assess students’ knowledge and ability, both now and in the post-pandemic academic environment.
e) Executives continue to advocate on behalf of students to ensure that they their course work is fairly and accurately assessed.

November 25, 2020

Statement in Solidarity with Land Defenders Across Turtle Island
WHEREAS Indigenous communities across Turtle Island made a national solidarity call-out last week, asking Canadians to join land defenders who are on the frontline fighting for Indigenous sovereignty;
WHEREAS this week of action is being called for by front line Indigenous and land defenders, including Gidemt’en Checkpoint, Tiny House Warriors, 1492 Land Back Lane, Kanienkehaka Land Back Camp, Mi’kmaq 1752 frontline, and Protect the Inlet;
WHEREAS the Wet’suwet’en are defending their unceded territory from the CGL pipeline;
WHEREAS the Mi’kma’ki are facing racial violence for exercising their treaty rights;
WHEREAS the Haudenosaunee at Six Nations are defending their territory from housing developers;
WHEREAS the Algonquin are asking for a Moratorium on sport hunting, because moose on their territory are being hunted towards extinction;
WHEREAS the Kanehsatake are defending their territory from an archeological dig by the Oka municipality;
WHEREAS the Secwepemc are defending their territory from the TMX pipeline; and
WHEREAS 61 Indigenous communities do not have clean drinking water.
RESOLVED that the CSA work alongside the Indigenous Student Society (ISS) to respond to this call to action and host a fundraising initiative to provide financial support to these communities.

November 11, 2020

Endorsement of the Future Majority Initiative.
MOTION: To work alongside and support Future Majority initiatives and campaigns and to write a letter to Lloyd Longfield endorsing and advocating for a Green and Just Recovery.
WHEREAS Future Majority is a Canadian non-partisan, non-profit organization that was founded by young Canadians to amplify the concerns of young Canadians;
WHEREAS Future Majority is running a campaign to advocate for a Green and Just Recovery post COVID-19 pandemic;
WHEREAS Future Majority defines a Green and Just Recovery as: ‘Climate action and low-carbon economy; universal mental healthcare; more jobs, better pay; racial justice and equity; and accessible university education’; and
WHEREAS the values of Future Majority are in line with those of the CSA.
RESOLVED that:
a) the CSA work alongside and support Future Majority initiatives and campaigns.
b) the CSA write a letter to Lloyd Longfield (Member of Parliament, Guelph, ON) endorsing and advocating for a Green and Just Recovery.

October 28, 2020

CSA Public Statement in Solidarity with Protesters against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)
AMENDED MOTION: To ensure that the CSA write a public statement in solidarity with protesters against the Special-Anti Robbery Squad (SARS)
WHEREAS the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is a specialized police unit in Nigeria with a history of unlawful arrests, torture and extrajudicial killings;
WHEREAS in June 2020, Amnesty International released a report that documented cases of torture, ill-treatment and extrajudicial killings by SARS;
WHEREAS thousands of Nigerians have been protesting SARS for the past several weeks, only to be met with increased violence from the police; and
WHEREAS on October 20th, the Nigerian army and police officers fired into the crowd killing at least 12 protesters.
RESOLVED
a) That the CSA write a public statement in collaboration with the Guelph Black Student Association (GBSA) to stand in solidarity with Nigerians protesting against SARS and condemning police brutality.
b) That @feministco and @ officialendsarsresponse (Instagram links) be included in the letter as a means for readers to provide direct funds and to provide education on the issue.

Guelph City Council Composition Reforms
MOTION: To ensure that the CSA advocate for greater public representation in the Guelph City Council Composition Reforms.
WHEREAS the City of Guelph is currently in the process of doing a City Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review;
WHEREAS a team of consultants were hired in January to launch a public consultation process regarding potential reforms to the City of Guelph’s council composition;
WHEREAS this consultation period took place for a three-week period, ending September 4th;
WHEREAS survey results and public input indicated that 66.1% of citizens want a council that is either the same size or bigger;
WHEREAS Guelph’s City Council currently consists of 12 councillors, two from each ward;
WHEREAS Guelph Council Composition consultants’ report proposes changing the composition of Guelph’s City Council to eight full-time councillors, with one elected per ward;
WHEREAS this proposal is contrary to the survey results and input from the public;
WHEREAS Guelph is a city that continues to grow, and therefore needs greater representation and not less; and
WHEREAS Guelph’s City Council will be meeting November 5th to make a final vote on council composition.
RESOLVED that the CSA advocate for greater public representation with two councillors for each ward as opposed to only one councillor per ward.

September 16, 2020

Co-host and Endorse the All Out September 30th Strike Against Anti-Black & Anti-Indigenous Racism
WHEREAS the CSA is an organization that is committed to an anti-oppressive mandate and constantly strives to amplify marginalized voices;
WHEREAS the CSA voted to support the Guelph Black Students Association’s letter of demands addressed to the University of Guelph Administration at the CSA Board meeting on September 3, 2020;
WHEREAS we are seeing movements and strike actions against anti-Black and anti-Indigenous taking place globally;
WHEREAS a group of Black, Indigenous, and Racialized student leaders, staff and faculty and allies from the University of Toronto Mississauga, University of Toronto Scarborough, York University alongside Black student organizations across the Greater Toronto Area have reached out to the CSA with an invitation to co-host/endorse the All Out September 30th Strike against anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism;
WHEREAS the strike demands include: A free and accessible education for all - with increased targeted grants & bursaries for Indigenous, Black & Racialized students, the implementation and prioritization of specialized programs, the implementation of race-based data province-wide, the recognition and implementation of orange shirt day province-wide, and campus-wide, the immediate removal of the Egerton Ryerson statue at Ryerson university, and to defund the police and demilitarize the police.
RESOLVED that the CSA co-host with the GBSA and ISS and further endorse the All Out September 30th Strike against anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism.

September 3, 2020

Guelph Black Student's Association Letter & List of Demands
WHEREAS the CSA's Mandate is to "Represent and amplify the voice of undergraduate students at the University of Guelph, particularly to decision makers;" and to "Contribute to a positive atmosphere of acceptance, inclusion, belonging and safety on campus";
WHEREAS APPENDIX I: Section 2.1 states that "The CSA endorses and will work to enact the following Declaration of Student Rights: We declare that a full policy of non-discrimination against students must be enforced at all educational institutions within Canadian society. Further, every person has the right to equal treatment without being discriminated against because of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, gender orientation, ability, family status, sexual orientation, political belief or socio- economic background.";
WHEREAS APPENDIX I: Section 2.3.: The CSA endorses and will work to enact the following Declaration of Rights of Racialized students: The right of racialized students to organize as racialized people, since organizations pertaining to racialized people within the student movement are necessary to actively raise the issues faced by racialized students, to provide a place for racialized people to develop organizational and political skills, and to provide a forum where racialized people can develop a sense of unity and cooperation";
WHEREAS APPENDIX I: Section 2.3 states "The right of racialized students to a students’ union which recognizes, promotes and funds an organization for racialized people on campus to facilitate involvement in issues pertaining to racialized people"; and
WHEREAS APPENDIX I: Section 2.3 states "The right to an educational environment free of racist harassment, and racial violence"
RESOLVED: that the Central Student Association fully supports the undated letter and list of demands sent from the Guelph Black Students Association (GBSA) addressed to the University of Guelph Administration.