On March 18th an Alma Mater Society (AMS) referendum calling for a two-day “student strike” on Mar. 24 and 25 was passed. We expect that some students will not attend classes on those days, and there may be associated protest activity.
To be clear, these actions are not sanctioned by the university. They are the result of a referendum vote held by the AMS, which is an independent body with its own governance structure.
We recognize that the conflict and violence in Israel, Gaza and neighbouring regions is an issue of deep concern for many in our community. UBC is committed to upholding the rights to freedom of expression and fostering an environment where diverse viewpoints can co-exist peacefully and productively—an essential foundation for our academic and societal missions – while ensuring the safety, and security, and respectful interactions of our students, faculty and staff.
Protest actions must remain peaceful, respectful, and within the boundaries of UBC policies and the law.
Faculty are free to schedule their classes, assessments and learning activities as needed. The University will be fully operational, and staff are expected to perform their duties as normal.
Gage Averill
Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver