The University of Calgary’s Graduate Student Association says removing campus health mandates in line with the province’s timeline is premature

[CALGARY], February 10, 2022 – Yesterday, Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides sent a letter to Alberta post-secondary institutions asking them to “align their COVID-19 policies and practices with that of the Alberta Government” without consulting students and other post-secondary stakeholders. As per the Alberta Government’s path back to normal, this means that students are expected to be back on campus for in-person classes by March 1 without masking, proof of vaccination, social distancing, or other health measures. The University of Calgary has responded with a compromise to remove most restrictions by March 1.

It is the view of the Graduate Students’ Association of the University of Calgary (GSA) that removing campus health mandates by March 1 without proper assessment of the situation is premature and misaligned with prioritizing student’s health and safety. Minister Nicolaides has repeatedly told students in the past that the Government of Alberta’s priority throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been to protect the safety of students, faculty, and staff while minimizing impacts to students’ education. These recent actions are forcing institutions to comply with the provincial timeline and shows a lack of consideration for the safety of students, faculty, and staff.

The GSA launched a survey on February 10 afternoon to check graduate students’ pulse on the recent development. U of C graduate students can access the survey online. As of February 10 late afternoon, 1,014 students had responded. The preliminary results show that 60% of students feel the Government of Alberta’s COVID-19 restrictions removal timeline is outrageously too soon. Additionally, 64% do not support Minister Nicolaides’ letter asking post-secondary institutions to align their COVID-19 policies with the provincial timeline. Of the students who work as teaching assistants, an overwhelming majority (90%) of them have concerns about returning to in-person teaching with no safety restrictions/protocols.

Kirsten Neprily, VP External of the GSA said that “many graduate students were aware that there would be a potential return to campus beginning late February early March 2022 and most felt comfortable returning with all the covid safety protocols in place (i.e., mandatory vaccination, masking, and social distancing). However, with these restrictions being completely lifted there is concern that students will not return to a safe work and learning environment. Graduate students wear multiple hats professionally (e.g., teaching, research, practicum, course work) and personally that require them to interact with many people. Therefore, not having safety protocols in place when we are still seeing high rates of infection puts them and their loved ones at increased risk.”

The GSA calls for the University of Calgary Board of Governors to prioritize the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff by keeping campus health measures in place until the end of the school term. An institutional plan would be the responsible and respectful course of action to take for the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Calgary.

-30-

About the GSA:

The Graduate Students’ Association of the University of Calgary was established in 1967, and has approximately 7,500 members, including full and part-time Master’s and PhD students. A not-for-profit organization governed by U of C graduate students, the GSA is charged with the social, academic, and practical well-being and growth of graduate students on campus. The GSA oversees and promotes workshops, special events, the provision of financial aid and support as well as the facilitation of career-based growth and development for graduate students as they progress through their university programs. The GSA represents the collective interests, but not individual opinions, of graduate students to governing bodies of the university, all levels of government and the surrounding community of Calgary.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Nancy Wanye

Research and Advocacy Analyst

Graduate Student Association, University of Calgary

E-mail: nancy.wanye@ucalgary.ca

Phone: 587-434-1636