UVic faculty association calls for mandatory masks and vaccinations
The University of Victoria’s campus is empty right now but come September an estimated 22,000 students and 860 faculty members will be back at school. That has the UVic Faculty Association concerned.
“We are asking for vaccinations to be required for all faculty, staff and students who are coming to campus in the fall,” said association president Lynn Marks.
The other ask is to make masks mandatory as well.
It’s an idea that two UVic students who spoke with CTV News agreed with, but said could come with complications.
“I just think trying to force people into doing things like that is quite hard but at the same time, I think it’s the right thing to do,” said Katya Leslie Adams, a third-year student.
“I think it’s totally valid,” said Rowan Watts, also a third-year student at the university.
The university says it has been planning for a safe restart for months and is following all guidance from the provincial health officer.
“It has been recommended by the province that post-secondary institutions do not introduce prevention measures that are different from those recommended by the PHO,” said university spokesperson Karen Johnston.
On Monday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province is having “ongoing discussions” with post-secondary schools about masks and vaccinations.
The UVic Students’ Society (UVSS) say’s it supports the faculty association’s request.
“We heard from a lot of students that they have concerns about the lack of plans, meaning the lack of masks and vaccinations,” said Marran Dodds, director of outreach and university relations with the UVSS.
“We heard from immunocompromised students and students that face a lot of barriers coming to class,” Dodds said. “We’re definitely in support of that ask.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.