Ethnocultural Support Services, the African Students Association, the Black Students’ Association, the Caribbean Students’ Organization, the University Students’ Council, and the Society of Graduate Students are incredibly disturbed by the messages directed at a Western student yesterday who was targeted for standing up against racism on Western’s campus. Together, we stand in solidarity with Chizoba Oriuwa and unequivocally condemn those who cowardly and anonymously attack her courageous decision to speak out about the racism, discrimination, and prejudice she has experienced on Western’s campus. The online response to the publication of these messages on the UWO Must Knows Facebook Group symbolizes the strong community of people standing with Chizoba.
There is absolutely no place for hate and racism on our campus. The negative backlash that followed media stories and dialogue calling out the English Professor’s use of the n-word demonstrates that there is still much work to be done to raise awareness and catalyze critical conversations about systemic and institutional racism at Western. Western should be a welcoming campus for students for all communities, and yesterday’s situation demonstrates the unsafe and inequitable environment that many of our students regularly face.
Our organizations plan to meet to discuss culture and system problems at Western that contribute to incidents like these occurring. This meeting will only be our first step in a long journey of reflection and action that will include educational programming, university advocacy, and the formation of appropriate working groups and institutional reviews.
We recognize that many of our students will be impacted by the events of the past week. Students seeking any form of support are encouraged to contact the Student Support and Case Management Office at sscm@uwo.ca or access any of the resources listed below.
USC Ethnocultural Support Services
African Students Association
Black Students’ Association
Caribbean Students’ Organization
University Students’ Council at Western University
Society of Graduate Students at Western University
Resources
Student Support and Case Management
Comprehensive care and coordination of university-wide resources for support
sscm@uwo.ca
Mo-Fr 8:30am-4:30pm
Health and Wellness (formally Psychological Services)
Walk-in crisis counselling and bookable mental health counselling appointments
(519) 661-3030
UCC 11
Mo-Th 9:00am-7:00pm, Fr 9:00am-4:30pm
USC Peer Support Centre
Drop-in non-judgemental, confidential peer-to-peer support
UCC 256
Mo-Fr 10:00am-4:00pm
Graduate Peer Support
Drop-in non-judgement, confidential peer-to-peer support
WIRB 1110
Tu & Th 5:00pm-7:00pm
Equity and Human Rights Services
Information and advice on Western’s discrimination and harassment policies
(519) 661-3334
equity@uwo.ca
Mo-Fr 8:30am-4:30pm
Western Foot Patrol
Free walk-home service for students on campus
(519) 661-3650
Su-Th 6:00pm-1:00am, Fr-Sa 6:00pm-midnight;
note: Foot Patrol will be closed for Reading Week from November 1 to November 10
Western Campus Police
All campus emergencies and liaison with London Police Services
911 / (519) 661-3300
24/7
Good2Talk
Free confidential mental health helpline
(866) 925-5454
24/7
www.good2talk.ca