Students Fight Mandated Leave of Absence Policy at U of T

TORONTO, June 25, 2018 /CNW/ - The University of Toronto administration is moving forward with the University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy for a final vote by Governing Council on June 27, 2018. Students from the University of Toronto Mississauga Students' Union (UTMSU), the Scarborough Campus Students' Union (SCSU), the Association of Part Time Undergraduate Students (APUS) and the University of Toronto Graduate Students' Union (UTGSU) have all publicly spoken out against the Policy which gives the University of Toronto administration the power to place a student on a mandated leave of absence if they are deemed to pose a threat to themselves or others, or are "unable to engage in the essential activities required to pursue an education".

The UTMSU, SCSU, APUS and UTGSU strongly believe that the University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy, in its current version, continues to undermine the autonomy and agency of students. The Policy specifically discriminates against students with mental health issues, and poses a particular threat to Black, Indigenous and racialized students with disabilities.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission previously raised serious human rights and discrimination concerns regarding an earlier version of this Policy, and asked the University to table the Policy in order to address these concerns. However, the University administration has failed to address these concerns and properly consult with students. The current version of the Policy is also being put forward for approval after insufficient and limited consultation with students, and at a time when many students are not actively present and engaged on campus.

The UTMSU, SCSU, APUS and UTGSU strongly oppose this policy in its current form as it does not prioritize creating a safe and inclusive educational experience for all students.The University of Toronto has a responsibility to the campus community and a particular duty to accommodate students under the Ontario Human Rights Code. We will continue to advocate against inequitable policies that fail to prioritize the needs of students. We call on the University of Toronto to table the Policy in its current form, and engage in meaningful consultation with students in order to move forward in a supportive, inclusive, and equitable way.

About the Student Unions: The UTMSU, SCSU, APUS and UTGSU collectively represent over 51,000 full-time and part time undergraduate and graduate students across all three campuses of the University of Toronto.

SOURCE University of Toronto Mississauga Students' Union

Felipe Nagata, UTMSU President : [email protected]; Hana Syed, SCSU Vice President External: [email protected]; Jaime Kearns, APUS Vice President External: [email protected]; Cristina Jaimungal, UTGSU External Commissioner: [email protected]