In the wake of President Birgeneau’s controversial comments at a governing council meeting last week, student leaders are calling for the university to adopt an action plan to increase diversity and combat what they call systemic discrimination on campus.
Last week Birgeneau said U of T’s diversity might deter some white students from enrolling at the university. He went on to retract the comment in the meeting and has since apologized for what he called a “colossal mistake.” But some students believe that Birgeneau’s comments are just the tip of the iceberg.
Nadalena Reid, executive secretary of the Association of Part Time Undergraduate Students at U of T (APUS), said, “While we are angered by his words we are more concerned about the actions of the administration of U of T. Three years into his five year mandate, the president has yet to commit to a diversity action plan.”
Emily Sadowski, president of APUS, pointed out most media coverage has harped on whether Birgeneau is or is not racist.
“Regardless of whether he is racist or not racist, he made those comments, which were racist. He represents this institution—which is racist,” she said.
Sadowski recognized Birgeneau’s apology and said it was in order. However, she dismissed his claim that the remark was made in heat of the moment. “[Birgeneau] has white privilege that he is not owning up to,” she added.
Mohammed Hashim, university affairs commissioner for the Students’ Administrative Council (SAC) called Birgeneau’s comments “ignorant, ill-thought out, and truly offensive…. From the statements that the president made, it sounds like he’s running for mayor of Toronto,” he said.
APUS has provided Birgeneau with the action plan they believe needs to be put in place. In an open letter to the president, APUS outlines their seven-point plan. The letter charges, “While you may be quick to dismiss this as a brief error in judgement, we at APUS are concerned that your comments demonstrate a lack of understanding of diversity issues on campus.”
The plan calls for the university to implement an affirmative action policy for hirings and admissions. Further, it demands that U of T implement a human rights code. It asks for better outreach to underrepresented groups and an inquiry into the effects of what they call systemic racism at the university. The plan asks for a full review of equity policies and employment procedures.
APUS recommends awareness and sensitivity courses and workshops and better funding of courses and programs that are reflective of “a diversity of cultural knowledge and experiences.”
Students will not back down in their demands for the implementation of the plan, said APUS.
“Every governing council meeting, we will be there to demand that UofT implement our action plan to ensure an environment that is inclusive to all,” Sadowski said.
