Published April 14, 2011
by iris_author
As my final days at York approach, I find myself thinking about the campus and the projects that I am proud to have seen flourish as well as those that have stagnated while I have been here. I hope projects like these continue, so that that upon a return visit in the next decade it does not look like a previous front page of the YU Free Press.
I used to have a difficult time justifying engaging in on-campus groups because I felt it would not have an impact on the issues I had with our society. What I have come to understand throughout my undergraduate degree is that universities all over the country are microcosms. The university is a space of change, where changes here can and do have an effect on our communities. To me, this means that our university should be a place where we can be proud of a few cornerstones.
The first is a free press. It is important for the university to have an active journalist community that can publish articles that support or denounce mainstream values and institutions. We currently have this at York; the YU Free Press publishes and supports critiques and alternative viewpoints that may have otherwise been excluded. These projects are becoming increasingly important as this becomes a frightening reality with Harper proposing a government controlled media center.
The second is a campus environment that supports student run businesses. Just as it is important to support local, family run businesses in our communities, it is important to have businesses that students can have control over on their campuses. I have participated in two IRIS surveys; one on Sustainable Foods and the other on Volunteerism and Engagement. One of the themes that was exceptionally clear in both surveys was that students are unhappy with the types of foods offered on campus. They have also noted that they could increase their engagement if incentives were offered, like learning a skill for the workplace or monetary compensation. I am excited to report that there are projects that account for all of these factors currently underway. For anyone who is interested in beginning a student run business and potentially work on a business model that would offer alternative, healthy food options on campus, there just happens to be a group meeting next Monday, April 18th. You can visit this event posting, or e-mail the group (yorkustudentbusiness@gmail.com) for more information on this initiative.
Lastly, I would love to know a York campus that is safe and takes a strong stance against those who attack members of our community, instead of participating in a system of re-victimization. Gendered violence is rampant at York, and I am tired of hearing York officials and those invited to speak on our campus blame the individuals hurt rather than the attacker. Apparently, others feel the same way and demonstrated their frustration at Slut Walk Toronto a couple of weeks ago. In my opinion, one of the greatest goals this university could strive to achieve is making its students feel safe and supported. This may be idealistic, but perhaps if we could achieve this here it could act as a step to bringing down a culture that breeds a need for power and that generates fear.
My York experience would not be the same if I had not become involved in groups, struggles, and campaigns on campus. If students do not get involved, I am sad to say that our campus could one day look like the one presented by the YU Free Press. Upon return, I hope to see innovative campaigns and projects that I could have not envisioned for our campus, reflecting York’s motto: Alia Tentanda Via Est - the way must be tried.
Posted in: Blogs | Students Speak
