CSU Open Letter Regarding Concordia’s Reopening Plans and Accommodations for the Fall 2021 Semester
 

Concordia Student Union
August 25, 2021

To President Carr, Provost and Vice-President Academic Whitelaw, and the whole Concordia Administration, 

With the Fall 2021 semester just around the corner, Concordia students at large do not feel like the safety measures and accommodations put in place by the University are enough to ensure a safe and successful return to campus for all. 

Communications from the University have been marked by a concerning amount of ambiguity. As the representative body of all undergraduate students, we at the CSU have been receiving many messages from students voicing their concerns about the return to campus. While many of us are looking forward to returning to campus, there are also many of us who feel unsafe and anxious about returning to in-person learning amidst the beginning of the fourth wave which will be dominated by the Delta variant. Even as vaccination rates are going up, we need to make sure to prevent a highly likely spread of Covid-19 this Fall semester and to mitigate the negative impacts on our University community. Therefore, we believe that students, faculty, staff, and the Concordia community at large needs to be provided with better safety measures and accommodations. 

We commend the University’s decision to implement a mask mandate in classrooms, an issue that many students had been worried about. However, considering current scientific research confirming the high transmissibility of the Delta variant, this is not enough. There are many students who cannot come to campus safely for a variety of reasons. In this, we ask the University to remember that students are not just students. We are also workers, parents, primary caregivers, and come into contact with many people outside of the University community, even when we try to limit our contacts as much as possible. We have different access needs, have different health profiles, and we come from different countries with different access to vaccines.  

Many universities have been using the term “legitimate health concerns” as the standard necessary to request accommodations. However, this implies that the University alone has the authority to decide whose health concerns are valid. A student experiencing immense anxiety about returning to campus needs to have said anxiety in itself be counted as a valid and legitimate concern. The mental health of students should also be a priority, and not just when said student has access to mental health care to receive a “legitimate” diagnosis. 

University is supposed to be a time and space where we build positive experiences in our educational and social engagement. The anxiety caused by inadequate safety measures will without a doubt overshadow a potentially valuable opportunity for building a safe and positive learning experience for the Concordia community. 

Considering all of these concerns, we call upon Concordia to implement the following: 

Safety Measures on Campus 

  • An on-campus vaccination site. 
  • Clear guidelines on contact tracing that inform students when there are cases within the Concordia community. 
  • Clear guidelines on distancing. Social Distancing should be enforced. 
  • Access to clear information about the Quebec Vaccine Passport   
  • Clear guidelines on how the Quebec Vaccination Passport applies to on-campus restaurants, bars, and extra-curricular activities, and active enforcement of these guidelines. 
  • If a vaccine mandate were to be implemented, it is essential that the infrastructure and procedures put in place for that purpose do not further exclude those who are unable to be vaccinated due to health or religious reasons, but that alternatives such as regular testing are put in place to ensure their ability to participate. For those who have not been vaccinated, the University must allow a reasonable and fair allotment period for individuals to receive the vaccine with consideration for their particular time constraints and logistical barriers (e.g. international students), as well as suitable accommodations that ensure students who aren’t vaccinated within said timeframe can continue their classes in an online format without having to switch or drop courses. The CSU is only in favour of a vaccine mandate if these conditions are met and accommodations are provided. 

Accommodations 

  • Students ought to be given the choice of whether or not their circumstances allow them to return to campus, whether they have been vaccinated or not.  
  • Standardized online course options (made possible by class recordings and alternatives to in-class participation) are a much more efficient way to address accessibility needs of students. Ad-hoc individual requests for accommodations in place of standardized online course options are unsustainable given the amount of paperwork and time required to process, increasing the workload of faculty and staff as well. 
  • Providing online options for all courses will not only ensure that students will be able to continue and finish their studies without interruption, but also relieve pressure on faculty and staff from having to process additional requests or grievances from students needing additional accommodations.   
  • Recordings of all classes, both those held in-person and those held online to ensure accessibility to classes for all students. Including but not limited to: students who are self-isolating and international students who are unable to enter Montréal due to travel bans and/or delays in immigration procedures. 
  • Alternatives to in-person participation grades. 

Communications & Decision-Making 

  • Student Representation and participation in all decisions regarding Covid-19 safety measures, including but not limited to any decisions on lifting a mask mandate. 
  • Better and more transparent communication to students. 

While the Quebec government has asked universities to return to  in-person learning in the Fall for most courses, Concordia still has a choice in how it wishes to accommodate and support students, faculty, staff, and the Concordia community as a whole. Just last week, we saw Concordia taking charge by mandating masks in all indoor spaces and classrooms, exceeding the government guidelines in place at the time, a decision we commend highly. This is a valuable first step in ensuring a safe return to campus.  

The government of Quebec explicitly states that “Colleges and universities determine the format of courses (e.g. in person, hybrid, distance education) and students choose accordingly. However, colleges and universities are advised to ensure flexibility for students with medical issues.” Therefore, students to be given a choice in the format of courses as well as be given ample options for accommodations depending on their circumstances. It is the responsibility of the University to ensure that every student has access to the learning format that best fits their needs. 

We believe that the accommodations and safety measures put in place so far do not ensure a safe and equitable return for all and that the Concordia administration must do more to serve their students and the whole community. Given that many of us, particularly first years, are looking forward to returning to campus, we must do so in a way that gives serious consideration to everyone’s safety. 

Signed, 

The Concordia Student Union 

Name (First and Last) Faculty/Department Position/Role
Nicolas Viger-Collins Faculty of Fine Arts Student
Sylvia Mondestin Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Crista Fusaro Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Anthony Delorme Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Erica Gizzi Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Leah Womelsdorf Faculty of Arts and Science student
Gina Grant Faculty of Arts and Science student
Pamela Vaccariello Faculty of Arts and Science student
Rowena Tam Faculty of Arts and Science PhD Student
Michael Chartier Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Maxime Giroux Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
William Kuckuck Faculty of Arts and Science student
Zoe Greenberg Faculty of Arts and Science Student,  Caregiver to child under 12
Nima Taherian Faculty of Arts and Science student
nathalie olcese Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science student
Raeesa Surtie Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Deeva Wazir Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Sevag Pilavdjian Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Nektaria Riso Faculty of Arts and Science student
Anya Nonnenman Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Joshua Bolofer Faculty of Arts and Science Student, Co-President of the Filipino Organization of Concordia University Students
Guannan Zhou Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science student
Alysia MELE Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Cassandra Ligeti Faculty of Arts and Science Graduate Student
Adrian Louise Calcagnotto Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Valerie Cochennec Faculty of Arts and Science student
Samantha Guillemette Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Katiana Hancock Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Kamila Aouragh Faculty of Arts and Science student
Gordon Reid Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Scarlet Fountain Faculty of Fine Arts student
Ramela Arax Koumrouyan Faculty of Arts and Science student
Payton Mitchell Faculty of Arts and Science ASFA Mobilization Coordinator
Gabriel Castelo Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student and employee of the Fine Arts Office of Student Relations
Eden Waknin John Molson School of Business student
Andrea Betts Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Sarah LaCroix Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Tyler Shanks Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Shane McCollam Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Amanda Rios Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Amanda Rios Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Beatriz Theophilo Martineau Faculty of Arts and Science Student
So Young Park Faculty of Arts and Science student
Nicholas Gertler Faculty of Arts and Science Graduate Student
Sinead Orr Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Dean Cleaver Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Ekramul Hasan Niloy Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Veronica Ventulieri Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Layla Omar Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Vanessa Poulin-Cantin Faculty of Arts and Science Mature entre Student
Rhys McKay Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Naiva Beauséjour Faculty of Arts and Science student (undergraduate)
Marita Brichan Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Tess McCrea Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Allyson Brownie Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Sarah Mangle Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Amel Bennama-Picquet Faculty of Arts and Science student
Alexa Nozetz John Molson School of Business Student
Sarfraz ahmed Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Aida Rustom Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Fatima Sarfraz Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Wendy Wu Faculty of Arts and Science student
Sinthuja Thambiayah Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Antoine Assal Faculty of Arts and Science student
Monica Pham John Molson School of Business Student
Naschra Paul Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Steph Proctor Faculty of Arts and Science Student
EMILIE STEINER Faculty of Arts and Science student
Claudia naccarato John Molson School of Business Student
Jessica Barron Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Robin Dionne Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Seaim Khan Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Josh Fried Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science student
Benjamin Lofo Follo Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Wai-Kwok Ronald See Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Bhairavi shah John Molson School of Business student
Stephanie Pasieka Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Juliana Murray-Harris Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Mehar Mahajan Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Madison Bedernyak Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Vladimir Shterenkiker I’m an independent student Student
Nadia Bessafa Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Venus Surio Faculty of Arts and Science Student, ASFA Independent Councillor
Sacha Fattor Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Julia Sargent Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Valérie Courval Faculty of Arts and Science student
Natasha Edwards Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Alisa Novinsky Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Mitchell Stein Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Autumn Banks Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Joon Lee Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Brett Gallant Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Chloe Hart Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Jeli Stankovic Faculty of Fine Arts student
Susan Leclair Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Miriam Sherman Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Ariella Pardo Faculty of Arts and Science student
Erik Chevrier Faculty of Arts and Science Part time professor
Madison Slater Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Anna Thinphang-nga Faculty of Arts and Science student
Soraya Ramiro Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Queenie Chen Faculty of Arts and Science Student, executive member of SASU
Léa Nasr Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Meagan Carter Faculty of Arts and Science student
Emma Mason Faculty of Arts and Science student
Meagan Carter Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Owen ng Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Yasna Khademian Faculty of Arts and Science Undergraduate student
Lorenza Mezzapelle Faculty of Arts and Science student, editor at The Concordian, contributor at The Link, executive at JSA
Sarah Lotfi Faculty of Arts and Science Student / managing editor @ Soliloquies Anthology
Paola Beatriz Lopez Sauri Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Shaina Willison Faculty of Arts and Science General Coordinator of the History Association
Ahmed Kamel Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Anayis Ecityan Faculty of Arts and Science student
Sovra Bunting Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Gal Zohar Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Tatiana Ifrah Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Ngoc Long Khang Nguyen Faculty of Arts and Science student
Lea Mailhot Faculty of Arts and Science student
Sabrina Dubreuil Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science student/VP Marketing for ECA
Julie Csaki Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Hannah Gold-Apel Faculty of Arts and Science MA Student
Minnie Chou Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Ninon Bouchard Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Siobhan Wilkinson Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Kelly Patilla Faculty of Fine Arts student
Natasha Kenol Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Eduardo Malorni Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science CSU General Coordinator
Laura Pareja Conto Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Kayla Moore Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Thia Mombourquette Leveillee Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Sophie Hough-Martin Faculty of Arts and Science Student (Human Environment)
Mai Nguyen Faculty of Arts and Science Student, staff
Mimi Nguyen Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Moothia Anshinee Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Gabryelle Iaconetti Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Victoria Gilmore Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Mihaela Eftene Faculty of Fine Arts Student
Tara Mandarino Faculty of Arts and Science student
Breeanna Stuart Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Aaliyah Crawford Faculty of Fine Arts Student and member of FASA and Yiara Mag
Theodore Fox Faculty of Arts and Science Undergraduate student
Elise Trinh Faculty of Arts and Science PhD Student
Prakash Krishnan Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Jess Marcotte Faculty of Fine Arts Recent Graduate (June 2021)
Eileen Holowna Faculty of Arts and Science PhD Candidate, GradProSkills Workshop facilitator
Harrison Kirshner John Molson School of Business Internal Affairs Coordinator CSU-Student
Carrie Dwyer Faculty of Arts and Science Student, researcher
Charlotte Gélinas-Gagné Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Kevin Gould Faculty of Arts and Science Associate Professor
Arman Jahanpour Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science Student
Dania Mohamad Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Amanda Dunbar Faculty of Arts and Science graduate student, TA, RA
S Shivaane Faculty of Arts and Science Student
Nicolas Chevalier Faculty of Arts and Science student
Jishika Mautadin Faculty of Arts and Science student
Carla Jamet-Lange Faculty of Arts and Science student
Christiane Sakr Faculty of Arts and Science Student, CSU Receptionist
Camina Harrison-Chéry Faculty of Arts and Science student
Faye Sub Faculty of Arts and Science CSU Sustainability Coordinator
Diane Yeung Faculty of Arts and Science Journalist at The Link Newspaper
Hannah Jamet-Lange Faculty of Arts and Science CSU Academic & Advocacy Coordinator