To our fellow students,

This year’s SAMRU Representation Executives have been in their positions for about a month now, and what a month it’s been. Not only are we in the midst of a global health pandemic, but we are also experiencing a world-wide reckoning with the consequences of racism and injustice in our society. We stand with all students, their families and communities in a difficult time. We recognize that we live in a systemically discriminatory society, where marginalized and racialized communities experience violence and exclusion disproportionately. Because we are all tied into this system, it is up to each and every one of us to work towards the creation of a just and equitable society.

Here are some examples of work that your Students’ Association has done, and will continue to do, to demonstrate our commitment to creating a meaningfully inclusive environment on campus:

• SAMRU listens to and acts on what students need and want in terms of cultural and Indigenous inclusion programming
• SAMRU provides many dedicated spaces to various marginalized and racialized student communities to increase their safety and inclusion on campus
• SAMRU requires all volunteers to undergo unconscious bias training as part of their skill development
• SAMRU ensures consistent recognition of cultural markers such as Black History Month, Cultures of MRU, Métis Week, Trans Day of Remembrance, Montréal Massacre Memorial, International Women’s Day, and Sisters in Spirit (MMIWG)
• SAMRU engages in several campus partnerships to enhance services provided to students from all backgrounds, including International Education, Iniskim, and Sexual Violence Response
• SAMRU supports and works regularly alongside student-led clubs that provide leadership and community for their members, such as the African-Caribbean Student Affiliation and Indigenous Voices Club, to enrich student visibility and inclusion on campus

If you’re experiencing distress right now, please contact any of the SAMRU staff who can help connect you to services and resources.

Beyond that, we recognize that representation matters. Having a voice at decision-making tables is key to creating lasting change. Your Representation Executive Council is working diligently to improve the systems and structures in place that enable us to hear from the wide variety of student voices that exist on our campus. We are better and stronger when all of us are seen and heard.

We are always listening to students to learn what more we can be doing. We encourage you to reach out to us – we are committed to listening to and learning from the voices of students, and particularly students from marginalized communities.

Signed,

Your SAMRU Representation Executive Council on Behalf of the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University