The AMS will be voting on discontinuing funding for the AMS Equity Office on Wednesday, October 7th, at 6PM in council chambers (2nd floor, south end of the SUB). The Pride Exec voted to add their name to the following letter. if you have any questions or concerns about it, please email me at
resourcegroups.ams@gmail.com.
To the UBC AMS Student Council,
It has come to the attention of the AMS Resource Groups that the budget commission is considering withdrawing funding from the AMS Equity Office. The Resource Groups, which include Pride UBC, Allies UBC, the Student Environment Centre, the Social Justice Centre, Colour Connected Against Racism, and the Womyn’s Centre, provide support and resources to combat oppression. The Resource Groups serve as a collective student voice for individual rights, equality, and accountability, and as such, are a primary advocate for student issues on campus. However, as nearly completely volunteer-run organizations, we rely on outside resources, such as Speakeasy, the Sexual Assault Support Centre, and the AMS Equity Office, to do what we cannot. Removing support from the Equity Office would create a significant setback to the ability of UBC and the AMS to be a safe, welcoming, and equitable institution.
The struggle for equal rights for all people has a long history, and though many improvements have been made, the idea that our society is past this issue is at best, short-sighted, and at worst, downright offensive. To remove financial support for the AMS Equity Office would send a message to students, staff, and alumni that UBC has withdraw its longstanding commitment to equality. All six Resource Groups, as approved by consensus at each groups’ administration meeting, strongly and unequivocally condemn any move by the AMS to withdraw support, financial or otherwise, from the AMS Equity Office. Additionally, we demand expansion and improvements to the program though the creation of the Equity and Diversity Assistant Position. Rather than regress to past inequitable practices, UBC should make their commitment to equality clear by creating this position and continuing their financial support for the AMS Equity Office.
Respectfully yours,
The AMS Resource Groups:
Allies UBC
Colour Connected Against Racism
Pride UBC
Social Justice Centre
Student Environment Centre
Womyn’s Centre
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Also, please show your support for the Equity Office by attending the meeting or emailing a letter to be read aloud at the meeting by VP External Tim Chu (
vpexternal@ams.ubc.ca). There will be a presentation by UBC Equity Office and then the AMS Equity Office, then questions. There are two motions which pertain to the E.O. The first recommends the creation of the Equity and Diversity Assistant Position. The second is later on, and comes from the Budget Committee, which seeks to withdraw the funds for this position.
The issue is that each motion requires 2/3 of council votes to pass. Even if you get a majority, the motion won't be approved. That's one of the main reasons we need people there to speak and show support for the E.O.
So Emma, the AMS Equity Coordinator, has sent more info about the AMS Equity Program, which I've attached below:
The AMS Equity Program provides training, resources, and ongoing support to students and staff interested in volunteering as AMS Equity Officers within AMS Clubs, Constituencies, and at AMS events. AMS Equity Officers (who are self-appointed within each AMS Club, etc.) are given formal training from the AMS Equity Program (including training in anti-oppression issues as well as conflict-resolution skills).
Within their respective clubs, AMS Equity Officers ensure that club-members are aware of the AMS Equity Policy and an equity representative is self-appointed at every club event and meeting. AMS Equity Officers can themselves serve as equity representatives at meetings and events, however, since they cannot be expected to be in all places at all times, individual equity representatives can be self-appointed on a more ad hoc basis. However, in accordance to the
AMS Equity Policy, Equity Officers must be self-appointed in each club and receive formal AMS Equity training.
Equity Officers are a 'first contact' for students when equity concerns arise within a club or at an AMS event. They are a visible presence within the club/event and are trained to provide support,
resources, conflict resolution, and referrals for students with equity-related concerns. More broadly, Equity Officers help to integrate equity-related practices/awareness into clubs/constituencies to ensure that the AMS is a safe and inclusive space for all of its members.
When equity concerns arise, AMS Equity Officers actively listen to the individual coming forward; if action is necessary, they assist the individual with bringing their concern to the attention of the AMS Club/Constit Executive (i.e. internal resolution) or refer the individual to the appropriate external body (For informal complaints, this is the AMS Ombuds Office. For formal complaints, this is the AMS Student Administrative Commission).
Please contact Emma Ellison at
equity@ams.ubc.ca for further information.
For the exact AMS Equity Policy:
Equity representatives must be self-appointed at all AMS and AMS affiliate meetings and events. Equity representatives are mandated to fulfill the following requirements:
1. Make their presence known at the beginning of the event;
2. Accept complaints and address concerns for AMS events for which they are appointed;
3. Facilitate resolutions to issues which may arise at AMS events for which they are appointed;
4. Report back to those present at such events, should the need arise;
5. Keep issues brought to their attention in confidence, should the complainant so request.
