The UVic campus remains open and safe. We are looking forward to welcoming students, staff and faculty for the summer term, starting on May 6.
Open to dialogue
In an email, the university has reached out to welcome a dialogue with student representatives involved with the Palestine Solidarity Encampment. Divestment has been an ongoing discussion at our university and including student voices remains a priority. The university welcomes students in the encampment to join the broader conversation at UVic regarding divestment.
The university also reminded the encampment participants that all activities must remain safe and respectful. This includes ensuring an environment free from intimidation, discrimination, harassment and hate speech of any kind.
Ensuring a safe campus
You may continue to see security and police presence on campus while this situation continues to evolve. Saanich Police are working closely with Campus Security to help keep the campus community - including those within the encampment - safe, which includes medical support and other health and safety concerns.
Earlier today, representatives from Saanich Fire - Fire Prevention, and Oak Bay Fire did a walk-through of the encampment to check fire-safety-related conditions and to provide instruction on any required changes to remove risk for health and safety and to ensure clear pathways. We acknowledge that those in the encampment have been peaceful and complied with the request for this safety check. The safety of everyone remains our top priority.
Building access
Access to some buildings is being more closely managed at this time. This may include access being limited to main entrances with secondary entrances being locked. We encourage students, staff and faculty to keep their OneCards or other identification handy.
If you have mobility or other accessibility concerns and require assistance to enter a building at an alternate access point, please contact Campus Security at 250-721-7599.
As previously mentioned, many buildings will have reduced access between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Students, staff and faculty with keys can access buildings during these hours as they normally would. Conference organizers or groups who have booked space on campus during the evening or weekends can contact Campus Security if they have questions or require after-hours assistance.
We are committed to working with members of the UVic community participating in the encampment and are hopeful that we can engage in a productive dialogue and reach a peaceful resolution.
