After the fatal shooting of third-year student Shivank Avasthi in the Highland Creek Valley, UTSC students have been campaigning for increased safety measures on campus. Petitions, mass emails, and online posts have focused on increasing the amount of lights, security patrols, security cameras, and T-card scanners in building entrances.
Since the shooting, U of T has increased patrols in the area. In response to the student campaigns, a U of T spokesperson wrote, “We are listening to all the feedback from students, which is being considered in ongoing safety planning.”
An email to U of T students from President Melanie Woodin and UTSC Principal Linda Johnston about the suspect’s arrest added, “Any additional [safety] measures that may be forthcoming will be communicated by the relevant campus offices.” The email also reminded students of the mental health and safety supports available to them.
The campaigns
The “Improve campus security at University of Toronto Scarborough” online petition has gained 4,481 verified signatures as of January 11. The petition organizer, Amon Ali, declined The Varsity’s request for an interview.
The petition reads, “We urge the University of Toronto Scarborough administration to take immediate action to strengthen on-campus security. By increasing surveillance coverage and ensuring a robust security presence, we can foster a safer environment where students can focus on their studies and campus life without fear.”
The petition has multiple comments from supporters about not feeling safe on campus. One reads, “How are we to know we are safe on campus, when, in broad daylight, someone was murdered? UTSC must do something to fix this.”
Students have also organized an email campaign to UTSC administrators. The subject line of one email template reads, “UTSC Students Do Not Feel Safe.”
The campaign outlines some concerns, including a lack of security cameras and low security presence in Highland Creek Valley and that all campus buildings are open access. It also states that the only free parking on campus is available in the valley, despite the safety concerns there. To address these, the email calls on the university for “immediate and visible changes. Not statements. Not reassurances. Action.”
When asked what motivated them to organize the email campaign, the student organizer wrote to The Varsity, “I think people wanted to take action, but were unsure how since it was winter break… it’s hard to ignore a direct message into their inbox. Since they’re staff, they can’t not at least see it. If they ignore it, it’s deliberate.”
Many posts on the r/UTSC subreddit have also been discussing adding T-card entrances to academic buildings. Unlike UTSG, UTSC does not have card scanners at the entrances of its library, student centre, or other large gathering spaces indoors.
Zayan, a UTSC student, wrote to The Varsity that they agreed with increasing lighting, security patrols, and security camera coverage, but thought that T-card scanners “would sacrifice a lot of freedom and convenience for a minimal increase in safety… T-card scanners would not have prevented the recent tragedy, nor would they meaningfully increase the school’s overall safety.”
Amelie H, a commuter UTSC student, wrote to The Varsity that she hopes, for all three campuses, “better safety measures are put in place, inside, outside and even in what is considered ‘public,’ ” and gave the example of bus stops.
“No one has to navigate the campus alone”
When asked if UTSC has any message for students concerned about their safety on campus, a U of T spokesperson wrote to The Varsity, “Students are urged to sign up for emergency alerts and download the Campus Safety app. And be aware that no one has to navigate the campus alone. With the Travel Safer Service, Campus Safety personnel will accompany students to the TTC stop, their ride, or anywhere else on campus, 24/7.”
In a statement to The Varsity about the arrest, Woodin wrote, “As members of our community grieve, a book of condolence will be available for our community to express sorrow and share memories of Shivank, and other commemorations will be communicated in the near future.”
Woodin concluded, “We are continuing with increased patrols in the area and working to identify any additional measures that may be needed to ensure the safety of our campus communities.”
