DOCSLIB.ORG

Students and Off-Campus Housing in Nova Scotia Building Fair and Sustainable Solutions

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Students and Off-Campus Housing in Nova Scotia Building Fair and Sustainable Solutions Students and Off-Campus Housing in Nova Scotia Building Fair and Sustainable Solutions Released February 6, 2014 STUDENTSNS.CA 1673 Barrington St. Halifax, NS B3J 1Z9 Abstract This position paper explores the challenges Nova Scotia students face in accessing housing they can afford, how governments and universities plan for student housing, and how Nova Scotia protects students as tenants. It builds on existing literature that suggests a strong correlation between adequate housing and academic success, and addresses the structural ways that students interact with the supply and affordability of housing, notably in ways that affect the availability and access of low-income families to affordable housing. We confirm that students face significant challenges in accessing suitable housing that they can afford, notably because of limited supply, limited financial assistance and high university residence costs. We also find, however, that governments and universities are not planning for off-campus student housing or collecting adequate data, which undermines efforts to ensure all Nova Scotians access to affordable housing. Finally, we demonstrate that tenant protections in Nova Scotia are systematically inadequate, which leaves students, like other tenants, vulnerable to abuse. The report includes a series of recommendations that Students Nova Scotia believes would help address these challenges, improving housing affordability and quality not just for students, but for all Nova Scotians. AUTHORS: Brian Foster (StudentsNS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: We wish to thank Director of Engagement and the many housing advocates, experts, Communications), Jonathan Williams university staff, and, especially, students (StudentsNS Executive Director) and who took the time to provide data, Danielle Andres (StudentsNS Research feedback and dialogue on this issue. Officer) We would particularly like to thank Claudia Jahn of the Affordable Housing DATE OF REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE Association of Nova Scotia, as well as BOARD OF DIRECTORS: January 9, 2014 Katherine Reed; the Affordable Housing STUDENTS NOVA SCOTIA Project Coordinator at the Antigonish 1673 Barrington St. Women’s Resource Centre and Sexual Halifax, Nova Scotia Assault Services Association. B3J 1Z9 Tel: 1 902 422 4068 Web site: www.studentsns.ca ii Recommendations The Province, universities, municipalities and other stakeholders should work with Students Nova Scotia to create a Student Housing Strategy that compliments the Provincial Housing Strategy and sets a goal to significantly increase the share of students living in units offered through partnerships involving these stakeholders. All universities should establish Housing Offices responsible for student housing on and off campus, including through maintaining housing partnerships with municipalities and the Province, as well as community organizations, student groups and private companies where applicable. The Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission should evaluate the performance of university housing services. Post-secondary institutions should work together to create centralized off-campus housing resources for students, including notably a common web portal. Students Nova Scotia should be granted a seat on the Housing Nova Scotia Advisory Board. The Province of Nova Scotia must collaborate with Students Nova Scotia if it chooses to explore possible modalities for a graduate home ownership program pursuant to the Housing Strategy. The Nova Scotia Student Assistance Program should increase its allocations for housing and utilities to meet the average costs for the types of units it expects students to inhabit, eventually on a community-by-community basis. The Nova Scotia Student Assistance Program should provide students living in residence the resources to meet the cost of their residence space and standard mandatory meal plans. The Province should create a new agency to collect and hold damage deposits in trust or give this capacity to Service Nova Scotia. iii The Province should collect a move-in and –out form upon the start and termination of a lease to record the state of the unit as assessed by both the landlord and the tenant. The Province or individual municipalities should develop a Handyperson Service that will investigate instances where tenants allege that landlords are ignoring requests for upkeep and, where necessary, make basic repairs at the landlords’ expense. Service Nova Scotia should keep public records of rental properties’ histories, including ownership, rent, and tenancy board investigations. The Residential Tenancy arm of Service Nova Scotia should require that landlords file an explanation when they increase rent beyond inflation. iv Statement of Values Students Nova Scotia is built upon the belief that post-secondary education can play a fundamental role in allowing both the individual and society to realize their full potential. Students Nova Scotia’s values are pillars built upon this foundation. They give direction to Students Nova Scotia’s work and reflect our organizational goals. ACCESSIBILITY: Every qualified Nova Scotia student who wishes to pursue post- secondary education should be able to do so, irrespective of their financial situation, socioeconomic or ethnic background, physical, psychological or mental ability, age, sexual orientation, geographic location, or any other factor exogenous to qualification. AFFORDABILITY: The cost of post-secondary education in Nova Scotia should not cause undue hardship upon any student, restrict their ability to pursue the career path they choose, or make them financially unable to live in the community of their choice. QUALITY: Policies, programs, and services in post-secondary education should meet student expectations to help prepare them for lifelong success, including in their citizenship, careers, and personal wellbeing. STUDENT VOICE: Nova Scotia students must be empowered to actively participate in setting their post-secondary system’s direction via engagement through their representative student bodies, within the post-secondary institutions themselves, and through the broader democratic process. v Our Research Process Position papers are the primary outputs of our research. They aim to describe and clearly articulate Students Nova Scotia’s Principles in approaching an issue and Concerns that obstruct the realization of those principles. Finally, we propose Recommendations aimed at addressing the policy issues (and our specific concerns) in a manner that is consistent with our organization’s values. The Students Nova Scotia Board of Directors is comprised of student representatives from our eight member associations. It sets annual priorities for Students Nova Scotia activities, including research. Position Papers represent formal Students Nova Scotia policy and are approved by the Board of Directors at bi-annual Board Policy Retreats, following a draft’s one-month release for consultations with students. vi Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Methodological considerations 3 2.1 Who has jurisdiction over housing in Nova Scotia? 3 2.2 Limitations of Existing Data 4 2.3 Defining “affordable housing” for students 6 2.4 Community impacts of student housing 10 3. Availability of Rental Housing for Nova Scotia Students 13 3.1 The provincial picture 13 3.2 Housing markets in specific university communities 15 3.2.1 Halifax 15 3.2.2 Truro 18 3.2.3 Cape Breton Regional Municipality 18 3.2.4 Antigonish 20 3.2.5 Wolfville-Kentville 20 4. What’s the plan man? 22 4.1 The Provincial Housing Strategy 22 4.2 Town and Gown efforts 24 4.3 University Off-Campus Housing Resources 27 5. Residential Tenancy Protections and Students 30 5.1 Rent Control 30 5.2 End of Lease 32 5.3 Security Deposits 34 5.4 Mediation, Hearings and the Tenancy Review Board 35 6. Building a fairer off-campus housing environment 38 6.1 Plan for Students, With Students 38 6.2 Provide students the funding they need for housing 44 6.3 Strengthen tenant protections 45 7. Conclusion 50 vii 8. Policy Resolution 51 Whereas StudentsNS holds the following Principles: 51 Whereas StudentsNS has identified the followingConcerns: 52 Be It Resolved That StudentsNS makes the following Recommendations: 54 9. References 56 viii List of Common Abbreviations AAHP Antigonish Affordable Housing Project AHANS Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia ASU Acadia Students’ Union AUCC Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada CBRM Cape Breton Regional Municipality CBU Cape Breton University CMA Census Metropolitan Area CMHC Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation DCS Department of Community Services DFoA Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture DLA Dalhousie Legal Aid FCM Federation of Canadian Municipalities HNS Housing Nova Scotia HRM Halifax Regional Municipality LAE Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education MSVU Mount Saint Vincent University NSCC Nova Scotia Community College OOP Out-of-Province OUSA Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance PSE Post-secondary education PSSSP Post-Secondary Student Support Program RTA Residential Tenancies Act SMU Saint Mary’s University StatsCan Statistics Canada StFX Saint Francis Xavier University StFXSU Saint Francis Xavier University Students’ Union StudentsNS Students Nova Scotia ix 1. Introduction Housing is an integral part of students’ lives and studies suggest a strong link between the availability of safe and affordable housing and students’ successful participation in post-secondary education (PSE). For example, a recent study by the Canadian
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mcmaster Students Union Vice-President
    McMaster Students Union Vice-President (Education) Transition Report Written by Ryan Deshpande, Vice-President (Education) 2017-18 For Stephanie Bertolo, Vice-President (Education) 2018-19 Table of Contents Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................. 2 Foreword .............................................................................................................................................5 MSU – Internal ................................................................................................................................... 6 Operating Policies and Bylaws ................................................................................................. 6 Board of Directors ........................................................................................................................ 7 Executive Board ........................................................................................................................... 8 Student Representative Assembly .......................................................................................... 9 Education and Advocacy Department.................................................................................. 10 Associate Vice Presidents .......................................................................................................... 11 Associate Vice-President (University Affairs) ..................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Blueprint for Student Driven, Professionally Supported Student Associations February 20, 2015
    A Blueprint for Student Driven, Professionally Supported Student Associations February 20, 2015 Prepared By: Michael Hughes Prepared For: Acadia Students’ Union Cape Breton University Students’ Union Dalhousie Agricultural Students’ Association Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association St. Francis Xavier University Students’ Union Table of Contents ABOUT THE AUTHOR V ABBREVIATIONS VI GLOSSARY OF TERMS VII LIST OF FIGURES IX EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 1. Introduction 1 2. Results 1 3. Recommendations 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION 5 1.1 Report Context 5 1.2 Report Objectives 5 1.3 Methodology 6 1.4 Overview of Report 9 2.0 RESULTS 10 2.1 Role of Student Associations 10 2.2 Student Association — University Relations 11 2.3 Student Association Governance has not adapted to Organizational Growth 12 2.4 Elections 18 2.5 Conclusions 21 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 21 3.1 Recommendations for Defining the Role of Student Associations 21 3.2 Recommendations for Student Association – University Relations 22 3.3 Recommendations for Board Changes 23 3.4 Recommendations for Professional Meetings and Office Environment 31 3.5 Recommendations for Elections 33 3.6 Recommendations for Ownership Linkage 37 3.7 Recommendations for Service Delivery 42 3.8 Recommendations for Subsidiary Governance 44 3.9 Conclusion 45 Appendix A: Terms of Reference 46 Appendix B: Discussion Group Questions 51 Appendix C: Open Submission Questions 52 Appendix D: Interview Questions 53 Appendix E: Participants 54 Appendix F: Governance Document Templates 57 Appendix F1: Act of Continuance Template
    [Show full text]
  • AUFA Communicator Acadia University Faculty Association Newsletter
    AUFA Communicator Acadia University Faculty Association Newsletter Volume 17, Number 3 March 2010 Special points of interest: AUFA Members partici- The AUFA President Communicates pate in a rally and CAUT Forum. support and policy options which are Tim O’Neill appointed to review aimed at ensuring the long-term vi- Consider who you might nominate for the AUFA Nova Scotia’s University system: ability of the university system in Award. déjà vu all over again? Nova Scotia. This is not the first time the univer- On January 22, the government of sity system in Nova Scotia has been Nova Scotia announced the appoint- reviewed. In the early 1990s, Janet ment of Tim O‘Neill, an economist Halliwell, former Chair of the Nova and former Bank of Montreal execu- Inside this issue: Scotia Council on Higher Education tive vice-president, to review Nova (1992-96), was charged with the task Scotia‘s university system. In an- The AUFA President Com- 1 of ‗rationalizating‘ Nova Scotia‘s thir- nouncing the appointment, Premier municates teen post-secondary institutions, Darrel Dexter stressed the impor- based on the assumption that amalga- AUFA Supports Faculty and 5 tant role Nova Scotia‘s universities mation, realignment, consolidation of Staff at Lakehead Over Clo- play in the economic and social de- sure institutions at the metro- or province velopment of the province. O‘Neill -wide level would save money and Hard Choices 7 also commented on the relationship made academic sense. Among the between universities and the recommendations put forward by The E-Word 8 ―economic, social and cultural life of Halliwell was the notion of the communities in which they oper- 11 ―consolidation of commonalties‖.
    [Show full text]
  • National General Meeting Assemblée Générale
    nd NATIONAL GENERAL MEETING e ASSEMBLÉE GÉNÉRALE NATIONALE 72 JUNE 8 TO 11, 2019 DU 8 AU 11 JUIN 2019 ATTENDANCE/PRÉSENCES 72nd Semi-Annual National General Meeting of the 72e Assemblée générale nationale semestrielle de la Canadian Federation of Students(-Services) Fédération canadienne des étudiantes et étudiants(- Saturday, June 8th, to Tuesday, June 11th, 2019 Services) Du samedi 8 juin au mardi 11 juin 2019 Local 19 BRITISH COLUMBIA/COLOMBIE-BRITANNIQUE University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union Local/Section 26 Adam Hill Kwantlen Student Association David Piraquive Local 20 Dhruv Shahi Nipissing University Student Union Charlotte Foster SASKATCHEWAN Local 24 Local 101 Ryerson Students’ Union University of Saskatchewan Graduate Students’ Kwaku Agyemang Union Local 32 Chiamaka Ezekwesili Lakehead University Student Union Farhan Yousaf MANITOBA Josh Pogue Local 8 Rachel Murray University of Winnipeg Students’ Association Masoud Manzouri Noelle Madison Sagher Local 47 Mahlet Cuff Society of Graduate Students – Western University Natasha Reimer Jina Kum Meagan Malcolm Wesam AbdElhamid Mohamed Local 37 Local 49 Brandon University Students’ Union University of Windsor Graduate Student Society Ken Neufeld Arop Plaek Deng Whiteney Hodgins Jeremiah Bowers Local 38 Local 54 Association étudiante de l'Université de Saint University of Guelph Central Student Association Boniface Horeen Hassan Elizabeth Labbé Local 68 Marie Paule Ehoussou York Federation of Students Local 103 Sébastien Lalonde University of Manitoba Students’ Union Rowan
    [Show full text]
  • Shared Perspectives: a Joint Publication on Supporting Students During and After COVID-19
    Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on Supporting Students During and After COVID-19 Alliance of BC Students Canadian Alliance of Student Associations College Student Alliance Council of Alberta University Students Manitoba Alliance of Post-Secondary Students New Brunswick Student Alliance Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Students Nova Scotia Union étudiante du Québec University of Prince Edward Island Student Union CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE PARTNERS 3 WHO WE ARE 4 ALLIANCE OF BC STUDENTS 7 CANADIAN ALLIANCE OF STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS 11 COLLEGE STUDENT ALLIANCE 14 COUNCIL OF ALBERTA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS 17 MANITOBA ALLIANCE OF POST-SECONDARY 21 STUDENTS NEW BRUNSWICK STUDENT ALLIANCE 25 ONTARIO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ALLIANCE 31 STUDENTS NOVA SCOTIA 34 UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND STUDENT 38 UNION 41 QUEBEC STUDENT UNION 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PARTNERS In recent years, a partnership of student organizations across Canada has come together to highlight key issues affecting the country’s post-secondary education system. In 2019, Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on Preparing Students for the Workforce looked at how we can promote student employability, skills development, and experiential learning. The year before, Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on Campus Sexual Violence Prevention and Response offered solutions for ending sexual violence on post-secondary campuses. And in 2017, Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on Student Mental Health identified opportunities to improve the mental health resources available to students on campus and in their communities. Our organizations are dedicated to improving post-secondary education in Canada, whether that’s advocating on the issues mentioned above or for high-quality course instruction, improved student financial aid programs, expanded work-integrated learning opportunities, affordable housing options, or increased access to education for students from underrepresented demographics.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Paradigm for Paying the Piper: Access, Control and Commercialization at Halifax Universities
    A New Paradigm for Paying the Piper: Access, Control and Commercialization at Halifax Universities By Chris Arsenault A Nova Scotia Public Research Interest Group (NSPIRG) publication IBSN # 978-0-9695326-3-7 • A New Paradigm for Paying the Piper: Access, Control and Corporatization at Halifax Universities • NSPIRG • A New Paradigm for Paying the Piper: Access, Control and Corporatization at Halifax Universities • NSPIRG A New Paradigm for Paying the Piper: Access, Control and Commercialization at Halifax Universities Table of Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 5 The Board ........................................................................................................................... 7 Access or Control?............................................................................................................ 14 The Formal Beginnings of Recent Canadian Commercialization............................. 14 Spring Board and Early Stage Development: Nova Scotia Jumps Aboard.............. 16 The Problems of Commercialization: A Few Case Studies Sick Kids Hospital, the University of Toronto and Dr. Nancy Oliveri......... 20 Brewing Discontent: Prof Speaks Out Against Beer Industry Lobbying..... 21 Running a-muck: Corporate-Athletics Exclusivity Deals................................. 22 Exclusive Dining Arrangements: Very Dangerous Precedents....................... 24 SDF Funds: Is the Department of National Defense Paying Dal
    [Show full text]
  • Focus on Learning: a Student Vision for Improving Post-Secondary Education in Nova Scotia
    Focus on Learning: A Student Vision for Improving Post-Secondary Education in Nova Scotia MAY 21, 2014 STUDENTSNS.CA 1649 Barrington Street, Halifax, NS B3J 1Z9 Abstract This report is the first by StudentsNS to focus principally on the organisation’s quality value. This paper conceptualizes quality in post-secondary education (PSE), exam- ines the tools used by PSE institutions in Nova Scotia to uphold and enhance quality, and finally, recommends policies to develop a more student-centred approach to quality measures and assessments. Our understanding of quality in PSE has shifted overtime from the traditional notions of excellence and exclusivity to a focus on access, accountability, learning outcomes, and the student experience. This shift, however, has not been fully realized within the different mechanisms for supporting and measuring PSE quality. As a result, many of these mechanisms do not effectively address the real factors affecting learning, institutions are insufficiently accountable for students’ learning, and student voice is not adequately supported. More research is needed to better understand the state of teaching and learning, especially within universities. However, it is clear that, across the system, a greater emphasis needs to be placed on continual improvement in instruction and pedagogy, on learning out- comes, and on effective quality assurance. Recommendations in the report address these three themes, envisaging a more student-centred, evidence-based, teaching- and-learning-driven PSE system for our province. The report does not provide Stu- dentsNS’ last word on PSE quality, but represents the first of many projects to ex- plore ways that Nova Scotia’s PSE institutions can better meet students’ expectations and support their lifelong success.
    [Show full text]
  • Experiential Learning; and 2) Research, Knowledge Transfer, Commercialization and Economic Performance
    March 20, 2015 Page The overall purpose of this engagement was to solicit broad input and ideas from Nova Scotians; members of the business and international communities; university faculty, administration and students; and other stakeholders on the future of the post-secondary education system. Halifax Global accomplished this task primarily by conducting 29 facilitated focus group sessions between October 20 and November 10, 2014. Three sessions were held in Sydney, two in Wolfville and the balance were held in Halifax. A video consultation session was also held with students from the Université Sainte-Anne on March 17, 2015. A total of 240 individuals participated. Three major themes were explored during each of the sessions: 1. Quality of Education, Competitiveness, Relevance and Graduate Retention; 2. Economic Viability, Sustainability, Affordability and Accessibility; and 3. Research and Development, Commercialization and Strengthening Nova Scotia’s Economic Performance. In addition, this report also summarizes written submissions received from several interested parties and includes supplemental research carried out in two key areas: 1) experiential learning; and 2) research, knowledge transfer, commercialization and economic performance. The consultations took place in an environment in which much public discussion about the future economic, social and cultural prospects for Nova Scotia has been stimulated by The Report of the Nova Scotia Commission on Building Our New Economy titled “Now or Never: An Urgent Call to Action for Nova Scotians” published early in 2014. Two other reports provided useful context and background to this project. The first of these ”Invest More, Innovate More, Trade More, Learn More: The Way Ahead for Nova Scotia” was authored by Professor Donald J.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the University System in Nova Scotia
    Report on the University System in Nova Scotia Prepared by Dr. Tim O’Neill for Premier Darrell Dexter Province of Nova Scotia September 2010 ISBN 978-1-55457-374-5 REPORT ON THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN NOVA SCOTIA SEPTEMBER, 2010 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 1 LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................... 8 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................... 11 1. Introduction 1.1 Context for the Report .....................................................................................................13 1.2 Reviews of the University System in Nova Scotia ...........................................................13 1.3 Terms of Reference ...........................................................................................................15 1.4 How the Work was Done .................................................................................................16 1.5 Structure of the Report .....................................................................................................16 1.6 Framing of Expectations ..................................................................................................16 2. Overview of the Nova Scotia University System 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................19
    [Show full text]
  • Celebrating the Cross-Country Impacts of the Ourturn National Action Plan
    One Year Later Celebrating the cross-country impacts of the OurTurn National Action Plan and outlining the challenges that remain as the organization transitions into Students for Consent Culture Canada (SFCC) [Image Description: Hand drawn sketch of an individual on a platform with a microphone standing with a crowd behind them. There are 2 signs that are visible that say “SAY THEIR NAMES” and “END RAPE CULTURE”.] Written by: Caitlin Salvino Connor Spencer Table of Contents 1 Land Acknowledgment 2 Part 1: OurTurn One Year Later 3 The One Year Later Report - Executive Summary 4 Message From the OurTurn National Chair 6 The OurTurn National Action Plan - A Summary 8 Year in a Snapshot - Impacts of the Report 9 Timeline - A Whirlwind Year 12 Cross-Country Student Movement 14 The Campus Sexual Violence Policy Scorecard 24 Impacts Beyond the Scorecard 29 Part 2: Students for Consent Culture Canada 30 Introducing SFCC 38 What’s Next? 39 Acknowledgments 40 Citations 45 Part 3: Resources 46 Appendix A: Advocacy Resources 47 Appendix B: Breakdown of Minimum Standards 48 Appendix C: How to Grade Your Own Policy 57 Appendix D: Glossary of Acronyms Used 59 Appendix E: OurTurn in the News Please cite as Salvino, Caitlin, and Connor Spencer. ‘OurTurn: One Year Later Report’. Montreal, QC: Students for Consent Culture Canada, 2019. Students for Consent Culture Canada (SFCC) acknowledges that its work across Kanata (Canada) takes place on the unceded territory of different Indigenous communities.Sexual violence is a symptom of the larger colonial system that “Canada” was founded on and continues to perpetuate.
    [Show full text]
  • Usc Casa Review - Outline
    USC CASA REVIEW - OUTLINE Introduction 1) Process 2) Feedback from Council and Students 3) Internal Review a) Best Practices, Barriers, Recommendations b) CASA’s Response c) Analysis 4) Suggested Steps APPENDICES I) Those Involved in review II) Literature Review and History of the Issue III) Letters to CASA a. Letter to CASA from USC b. External Review - Western, McMaster, Brock, Waterloo IV) Feedback received from students and the PFA SC Introduction As stated in By-Law #3, the USC is required to conduct a full review of our external political representative organizations every two years, with OUSA and CASA years alternating. We conduct these reviews to accomplish a certain number of goals. Firstly, we want to ensure that students’ resources (money and the time of USC leaders) is used most effectively, and that future investment is feasible. Secondly, we check to see whether the practices, goals, and values of the external organization are still in line with the values and goals of the USC, and the students it represents. The issues and discussions we are having about CASA are not new to this review, or this year. Many of the listed concerns have been noted in the past. In fact, the 2014 review is a furthering of discussions that have been occurring for the past 8 years, at least. As such, our intention this year has been to take some action to address these historic concerns. We did not want to conduct another review, note a number of concerns, and file it away for another year. As such, we began a process to bring about change.
    [Show full text]
  • Read the Full Press Release Here
    MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8 2018 Students Release Report on Campus Sexual Violence VANCOUVER, BC​ - Students organizations across the country have released a joint publication on campus sexual violence titled, ​Shared Perspectives​:​ A Joint Publication on Campus Sexual Violence Prevention and Response. ​In the publication, students from Victoria to Charlottetown express the need to eradicate sexual violence on their campuses. The publication identifies challenges and opportunities that exist in individual provinces, but also looks past provincial borders in order to highlight sexual violence as a national problem that all jurisdictions must work to solve. ​Shared Perspectives​ provides an understanding of the issues students experience on campuses across our country, and emphasizes how we must work together at all levels to end sexual violence on post-secondary campuses across Canada. Public institutions in BC have had sexual violence and misconduct policies in place for almost a year, making this a good time to review the progress that has been made. While some institutions have opened support centers and offered training, others have not been able to do so, and the implementation of the policy has varied from institution to institution. “The ABCS was excited to partner with CASA to share our perspectives and experiences with sexual violence on campus.” ​Said Caitlin McCutchen, ABCS Chairperson ​“This publication shows that while our experiences are distinct, sexual violence is pervasive across the country, and while there has been progress in some areas no province has found a solution.” Sexual violence is a systemic problem that affects us all, but students know that sexual violence is a gendered crime, in which women are far more likely to be victimized.
    [Show full text]