USask, USSU collaborate to tackle oppression and racism
Today, the Office of the President at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to challenge oppressive and systemic racism at all levels across USask campuses.
The USask Office of the President and the USSU committed to formalize, expand and enhance their relationship, and work together in a co-ordinated way to dismantle institutional structures, policies and processes that contribute to inequalities faced by marginalized groups.
“We will continue to enhance efforts to make our campus community more inclusive and equitable, and a safe working, teaching, and learning environment for all,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff.
Education is a key component in the commitment, and success will require students, staff, faculty, and senior leadership to work together to create inclusive, equitable, and safe working and learning environments. Part of this work involves proactively assessing and solving issues, and providing a safe reporting mechanism for anyone experiencing racism.
Similarly, the USSU will work within its mandate of serving and supporting undergraduate students to develop, implement and promote anti-racism, anti-oppressive initiatives as part of the MOU agreement, which was signed by outgoing USSU President Autumn LaRose-Smith.
The MOU was announced at USask’s 4th Annual māmowi āsohētetān Internal Truth and Reconciliation Forum on March 26, 2021. This year’s theme for the online forum also focused on anti-racism and anti-oppression.
Along with the recent appointment of Dr. Verna St. Denis (PhD) as special advisor to the president on anti-racism and anti-oppression, the agreement is one aspect of the extensive work Stoicheff outlined last summer to fight racism and oppression at USask.
“We are continuously working to ensure our campuses across Saskatchewan are safe, respectful and supportive places for everyone,” said Stoicheff. “It is our collective responsibility to build and shape the campus, the community, and the world that we want every day.”
