The COVID-19 pandemic has become a large part of our world these last few years, especially for those who are immunocompromised or disabled. It turns out that many at the institution have strong opinions on UFV’s response to the pandemic.
Caitlyn Carr — an English student at UFV — wishes that the institution had gone a step beyond the provincial recommendations to ensure the health and safety of everyone. She states, “the mask mandate should not have ended immediately when the province allowed it to, but rather it should have been extended at UFV. I (personally) believe it should have only just now been lifted, though I realize this appears overkill to some.”
Carr still chooses to mask “to protect my own health, to protect the health of those around me, and to hide the fact that I bite my lips a lot.” Moreover, she explains that although a return to in person learning was pleasant, she admits she wishes that “staff and students had worn their masks a while longer. After all, it’s better to be too cautious than not cautious enough.”
Similarly, student Wren Ashenhurst still masks for a few different reasons, regardless of the way in which breathing can be difficult sometimes and the material can be overwhelming. “I live with a few immunocompromised folks, so anything I can do to avoid getting them sick is appreciated. Secondly, I have contamination related anxiety triggers, so the mask helps me feel more secure in the thought that I won’t get sick. Lastly, I’m not a person who likes to be looked at.” Ashenhurst adds that they didn’t agree with the removal of mask requirements on March 10, 2022. “I thought allowing masks as optional for the summer semester, when I believe there are generally less people on campus, would have been a good trial run.”
In addition to talking with these students, The Cascade also reached out to Andrea MacPherson, a creative writing professor at UFV who has been vocal on social media about how the institution has handled their approach to the pandemic. Although MacPherson feels that the institution initially responded well to the pandemic, she believes that “we returned to in-person learning too quickly.” Stating, “I also believe that we should not have lifted mask-wearing, as this is a simple precaution that we already had in place, with almost 100 per cent of people on campus masking.”
When asked about her experiences in her classes MacPherson said “There has been a huge difference and impact in my classes, both when we returned to in-person, and when masking was lifted. I consistently have anywhere from two to eight students away in each of my classes, and often for multiple classes. I have never seen this kind of absence rate before.” She continued, “I definitely feel like my health and safety have been compromised because of these decisions.”
Director of Communications for UFV — Dave Pinton — stated that although he appreciates the concern, “I respectfully disagree. The health and safety of UFV students, faculty, and staff have always been the university’s prime concern from the outset of the pandemic. Pursuing any other course would not be responsible or true to our university’s core values.”
When asked if any changes would be made going forward, Pinton stated “UFV will continue to adhere to the recommendations of the provincial health authorities, the BCCDC, the Provincial Health Officer, WorkSafeBC, and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training. If the need arises, as UFV has done in the past, measures will be taken to protect our community and help prevent the spread of the virus.”
Pinton added that in addition to following all guidance from those organizations, UFV has: “Installed MERV-13 filters for all recirculating air systems as per ASHREA’s filtration recommendation; installed plastic glass barriers where required to maintain physical distancing requirements; increased cleaning regimens in the first months of the pandemic; moved to remote classes as instructed by the BC Provincial Health Officer on several occasions. In January of 2022, UFV exceeded these guidelines and delayed face to face classes by two weeks to Jan. 24; Provided COVID-19 rapid test kits once in person classes began.”
Recently, the University of Waterloo announced that as of November 8, 2022, masks would once again be required in all indoor settings. They have made an official announcement as well as circulated this positive shift in their COVID-19 protocols. After this announcement was made, many Twitter users have urged their own institutions — including UFV — to follow suit. This sets a precedent in going above and beyond the provincial and territorial recommendations in ensuring a safe and proactive stance when it comes to the pandemic and the safety of their populace. Thus, if a large institution such as the University of Waterloo can implement further safety measures without much difficulty or drawback, it is even more concerning that our own institution cannot do the same for its students, staff, and faculty members, and seems to be adamant on sticking to provincial guidelines and not going above and beyond for their students. When will our institution stop just following the bare minimum recommendations, and actually be a leader in fostering safety and change?
