CUPE 4207
MCC 402 – 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way
St. Catharines, ON
L2S 3A1
Open Letter to the University Community
Since returning to in person classes, there have been issues the Brock Administration has ignored. The University is simply not prepared to provide a safe environment for students, faculty, and staff.
Unlike the last time we had moved to in-person classes, the environment has changed. The Omicron variant is far more contagious than Delta and vaccines are less effective in protecting someone from this new strain. Why then would the University be moving headlong to in-person learning using the strategies developed to combat the Delta variant? For an institution of higher learning, this poorly considered strategy exposes the Brock community to unnecessary risks.
Representing over 1000 academic staff, our members are engaged in a significant percentage of direct, face-to-face interactions with students. Given the vantage point of our members, we see the university from a different perspective, which the Senior Administration does not recognize. We have attempted to raise concerns from both members and students and are given vague statements about following public health guidelines.
Our members continue to flag problems with the approach taken by the Administration. These include:
- Access to better masks not just for our members but for the entire University community.
While the most recent shift in policy was to require staff to wear medical grade masks, our members are calling on the Administration to provide higher quality masks, up to and including fitted N95 masks. Further, the mask requirements need to be universal. Students only need to wear a mask, which includes ineffective cloth masks. There is only a recommendation to use three-ply masks or better. Public health officials are recommending that individuals should opt for the highest quality mask available, but that is not the policy at Brock.
- Capping class size to provide for greater social distancing in cramped rooms.
For some spaces, especially seminars in Mackenzie Chown, over 20 people are crammed into spaces that comfortably fit 15. Members consistently report sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in tight quarters with no consideration for the safety of students and staff.
- Stronger enforcement of policies.
For staff, it is mandatory to complete the screening app before coming onto campus. Results need to be forwarded to our supervisors. For students, it is voluntary and there are no requirements to notify anyone that they are completing the screening. For visitors, there are no restrictions save for a sign in the main entrance, which is often bypassed. There needs to be enforcement of policies and not a reliance on voluntarism.
- The ability to teach online for those at risk and for those living with individuals who are at risk.
While some members would prefer in-person classes, others are more apprehensive and would opt for more online classes while COVID cases remain high and hospitals at capacity.
- Better communication policies and protocol for informing Instructors, teaching assistants, marker-graders, lab demonstrators – plus faculty and staff – of CoVid exposure.
We are not notified effectively, safely, consistently, or with any kind of urgency when our members have been exposed to a CoVid case or have an active case in their classroom. Many of our members work in different departments and faculties across campus, and we are expected to ‘carry-on’ despite the possibility and likelihood of spreading the virus.
In the end, the Senior Administration needs to listen to those teaching students. We now find ourselves not only working to enhance the education of our students, but also to ensure their safety. Although the Administration would contend that extending online education would disrupt the education of our students, the same could be said for a premature return that will have significant ramifications should outbreaks occur on campus. We urge caution to avoid this and encourage Senior Administration to put stronger measures in place that will ensure the health and safety of all its employees, students, and the broader Niagara community.
For more information, please email info@cupe4207.org or contact Nathan Cecckin, President, at president@cupe4207.org
The Executive Committee
CUPE 4207