We are aware of the recent decision by the UBCSUO to deny ratification of a political student club and of their emergency meeting to reconsider that decision.
The UBC Student Union Okanagan (UBCSUO) is an independent student-led organization with its own elected Board of Directors and governance structures. Through these mechanisms, they can make independent decisions with respect to student club ratification and allocation of student union resources.
That said, UBC Okanagan stands firmly behind its responsibility to uphold its principles of free, lawful, and respectful expression of all views and opinions, even those with which some may disagree. These principles are articulated in the Okanagan Senate Statement on Academic Freedom, which clearly states that UBC must be an open and inclusive forum where members of the University have the freedom ‘to engage in full and unrestricted consideration of any opinion.’
This extends to the rights of students, faculty and staff to engage with and participate in politically affiliated clubs and groups. UBC is further bound by BC’s University Act, which compels both campuses to remain non-political.
At UBCO, we believe that civil discourse and robust debate are not only fundamental to our academic mission but core also to our role in Canadian society as a place of higher learning and understanding of all points of view. Indeed, UBCO has many initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to civil discourse, including UBC Okanagan Debates, a series that tackles the most contested issues of our time through sober, reasoned and thoughtful disagreement.
Lesley Cormack
Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor
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