An unsettling event involving a Black SFU alumnus, campus security and the RCMP occurred in the Burnaby campus dining hall recently, and is raising important questions about our processes and protocols. I want to acknowledge that this incident is distressing for many in our community, particularly for those who are Black, Indigenous or persons of colour.
We will undertake an external review of the situation. There are learning opportunities in everything we do, and we will review this event to learn what we can improve. We will also seek out learning from experts on the impact of policing on Black people. In the coming days I will reach out to Black faculty, staff and students for input. Recommendations from this review will be shared with the SFU community and necessary changes implemented.
Keeping our campus community safe, particularly during a pandemic, is our first priority. However, this task is not without complexity and challenge. There are many layers to the situation that occurred, but supporting the individuals involved by protecting their privacy means we will not have a full public debrief of events. At the heart of this situation is an individual who deserves privacy and support.
I am committed to improving equity and inclusion at SFU. I acknowledge that it won’t be quick or easy, but I will continue to lean in on these issues. We must always learn, grow and change, and to do that we must have difficult conversations and examine our own processes and behaviours.
Please reach out for support if you need it. This has been an incredibly difficult time for many, and there are supports in place for students, faculty and staff. Take care of yourselves, and take care of one another.
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