At a rare special meeting Thursday, the University of Victoria’s senate passed a motion recommending the university immediately reinstate a mask mandate at least until the end of the exam period, April 29.
The university had dropped the mask requirement March 11 after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry removed the mandate for most indoor public spaces.
“The mask requirement was dropped overnight, giving students and faculty no time to make risk assessments of what it means,” said Victoria Wyatt, an associate professor and executive committee member of the Faculty Association at the university, who brought forward the motion.
“It created a fundamental change to the learning environment and it gave those who are medically vulnerable no time to make viable alternate arrangements.”
Under the University Act, the senate is responsible for the academic governance of the university, with the ability to make recommendations related to the interests of the university.
Wyatt said the motion was appropriate for the body in that it addresses the safety of students and staff in an academic context.
A recommendation by the senate carries more clout than an earlier request by the Faculty Association, which the president and board of governors have chosen not to act upon, Wyatt said.
The Society for Students with a Disability, an advocacy group at the university, applauded the recommendation that the mask mandate be reinstated.
“I am fairly optimistic that the university will follow the recommendation and implement the change for the rest of the semester,” said society co-chair Julia Denley, adding she was disappointed with the decision to remove the mandate, which she says was not fair to those who are most at risk.
“Had the university adopted a hybrid version of education delivery this semester — where students could choose between in-person or online classes — it wouldn’t have caused so much stress to people who are most at risk.”
The motion now rests with the university’s president and board of governors. There is no specific date for a decision.
“It is important to note that UVic has always followed all the public health orders and implemented all of the health and safety measures required by the provincial health officer,” said Denise Helm, acting executive director of communications at the university.
Helm noted that when the mask mandate was dropped for most indoor public spaces in B.C., UVic and the vast majority of other post-secondary institutions lifted their mandates as well.
Of the 25 post-secondary institutions in B.C., only two decided to continue the mandate to the end of the term, she said.
But Wyatt said the motion is not about following provincial health guidelines, but about equity and inclusion — “affirming the need for students and staff to work and learn in a safe environment.”
parrais@timescolonist.com
