Wednesday’s Senate meeting featured a presentation about the upcoming sexual assault policy, a speech from an animal rights activist, an update on the presidential search and a standing ovation for Martha Piper.
One of the first speakers of the night was Associate Vice-President of Equity and Inclusion Sara-Jane Finlay, who gave a short update about the sexual assault policy. She explained that the policy will provide a clear way for people to report sexual assaults and also train the community to respond to these reports in a timely and consistent manner. It is based around a survivor-driven approach, which allows survivors to make certain decisions related to confidentiality and the police.
The policy will apply to students, staff and faculty members of UBC. However, those who are not related to the university but have been reported could be banned from campus as well.
Finlay added that a five-person committee has been consulting the community about the upcoming policy. They have been asking respondents two broad questions: "What exactly should an ideal response from UBC be on sexual assault?" and "What would it take to have confidence in the university on this issue?"
A draft of the policy will go to the Board of Governors on June 14. The final draft will be presented to the board on December 6.
Following an ongoing series of discussions between the Senate and the Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society, a short speech was given about animal testing. A woman named Alex spoke about the animals in UBC’s testing labs who “endure constant suffering”and are “killed before seeking the sky.” She requested that UBC policy makers develop a plan for the elimination of Category C, D and E experiments by September 2018 and that a copy of the plan be presented to the group by September 2016.
Chancellor Lindsay Gordon also gave an update about the presidential search. There are currently only three finalists remaining — all of whom, according to Gordon, are “very strong, diverse candidates” who fulfill all eight of the required attributes listed in the information document for the job. The university's next president will be announced before June 30, but until then, the names of the candidates must remain confidential.
Gordon also announced that after Martha Piper leaves her position, there will be another interim president until late September or early October when the new president takes over.
At the end of the meeting, the members of the Senate gave a collective thanks to Martha Piper for guiding the university through the past eight months. A standing ovation soon erupted in the room and a bouquet of flowers was presented to Piper.
“It has been a real honour and privilege,” said Piper. “People ask me what’s the same and what’s new — the same is that the problems are all the same. But what’s different is the University of British Columbia is so much stronger now than it was when I left in 2006 and it’s because of the people in this room. It’s because of the incredible students, it’s because of the dedicated and talented faculty, our amazing staff administrators — people who work tirelessly for this institution.”