OUR CAMPAIGNS
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Put Equity in Academics
The Put Equity in Academics campaign addresses the pressing need for consistent and fair academic policies across the University of Toronto’s campuses, with a focus on ensuring that the Scarborough campus receives equitable treatment. Historically, UTSC has faced challenges in achieving parity with the other campuses, often leading to disparities in the academic experiences of its students. This campaign is committed to advocating for a more inclusive and just academic environment by tackling issues such as gender equity in classroom settings. By promoting gender-sensitive teaching practices and encouraging diverse perspectives within the curriculum, the campaign seeks to dismantle systemic biases that affect students based on their diverse identities.
In addition to gender equity, the campaign prioritizes the implementation of comprehensive sexual violence prevention measures for all students, faculty and staff. Anti-oppression training for faculty and staff is another critical component, aimed at fostering an inclusive atmosphere that recognizes and respects the diverse backgrounds of the UTSC student body. Recognizing the importance of religious observances, the campaign also advocates for academic accommodations that honor students’ religious practices without penalizing their academic standing. Through these initiatives, the Put Equity in Academics campaign is dedicated to leveling the academic playing field, ensuring that all UTSC students have access to an equitable and supportive educational experience.
Students for Global Action
The Students for Global Action campaign is an initiative aimed at connecting the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) community with the pressing global issues that impact students and their families. This campaign recognizes that global tragedies are not just distant events but have direct consequences on the lives of students who come from or have ties to affected regions. By prioritizing war-torn and conflict-ridden countries each year, the campaign brings much-needed attention to these crises, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy within the campus community. Through educational events, teach-ins, and interactive workshops, the campaign educates students about the complexities of global conflicts and the humanitarian crises that arise from them, encouraging a campus-wide commitment to global citizenship.
In addition to raising awareness, the Students for Global Action campaign is dedicated to providing tangible support to those affected by global tragedies. Fundraising efforts are a cornerstone of this campaign, with proceeds directed towards organizations that provide critical assistance to populations in need. The campaign also advocates for the university administration to acknowledge the impact of these global events on students and to implement policies that offer necessary support, such as mental health resources, academic accommodations, and financial aid for those directly affected. By holding UofT’s administration accountable, the campaign ensures that UTSC is not only a place of learning but also a community that stands in solidarity with its members during times of global crisis. Through these initiatives, the Students for Global Action campaign aims to create a more informed, compassionate, and responsive campus, where the struggles of global communities are met with meaningful action and support.
Fight the Fees
The Fight the Fees campaign addresses the critical issue of accessibility in post-secondary education, particularly at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). As tuition fees continue to rise, education is becoming increasingly out of reach for students from low-income backgrounds—students who are disproportionately represented by Indigenous communities, students of color, trans students, students with disabilities, and those raised in single-parent households. This campaign is a rallying cry for equity and justice, urging the university and government to take decisive action to ensure that all students, regardless of their financial situation, have the opportunity to pursue higher education. By advocating for increased public investment in post-secondary education, the campaign seeks to reduce the financial burden on students through the reduction of tuition fees and a shift towards grants rather than loans. This approach not only makes education more accessible but also alleviates the long-term financial pressures that disproportionately impact marginalized students.
In addition to addressing tuition fees, the Fight the Fees campaign recognizes the broader financial challenges students face, particularly in accessing essential services like transportation. The campaign is a strong proponent of a Transit Universal Pass (U-Pass) for all students, which would provide city-wide transit access at a subsidized rate. This initiative would significantly ease the financial strain on students who rely on public transportation to commute to campus, work, and other essential activities. Moreover, the campaign is pushing for the introduction of easy-access bursaries from the student union, ensuring that students can receive financial assistance quickly and with minimal bureaucratic barriers. By fighting for these changes, the Fight the Fees campaign aims to dismantle the financial barriers that prevent students from fully engaging in their education and campus life. It is a call to action for the university community to come together and demand a system where education, food, transit, and other essential services are accessible to all students, without the burden of financial hardship.
United for Equity
The United for Equity campaign is an initiative dedicated to challenging and dismantling all forms of discrimination and oppression within the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) community. Recognizing that an attack on one is an attack on all, this campaign stands in solidarity with students who face systemic barriers to accessing education due to their race, gender, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, citizenship status, and other intersecting factors. The campaign actively opposes racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, antisemitism, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian hate and other forms of oppression that perpetuate inequities both on campus and in society at large. By creating a united front, the campaign seeks to cultivate an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to succeed, free from the harmful impacts of discrimination.
One of the central goals of the United for Equity campaign is to create tangible changes on campus that directly address the needs of UTSC’s diverse student population. This includes advocating for dedicated physical spaces where BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ students can gather, find support, and build community in a safe and affirming environment. These closed spaces are crucial for fostering a sense of belonging and resilience among marginalized students who often face unique challenges and microaggressions in broader campus settings. Additionally, the campaign is pushing for greater access to multi-faith rooms across campus, ensuring that students of all religious backgrounds have the space to practice their faiths with dignity and respect. By prioritizing these initiatives, the United for Equity campaign is committed to not only diversifying the campus landscape but also to actively addressing and meeting the needs of UTSC’s diverse student body. This campaign is a call to action for all members of the campus community to unite in the fight for equity, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, can thrive in an inclusive and equitable academic environment.
Housing is a Right
The Housing is a Right campaign tackles the pressing issue of housing affordability and availability, a growing concern for students across Ontario and particularly at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). As housing costs continue to rise, many students are forced to choose between quality living conditions and their educational pursuits, creating a precarious situation that undermines their overall well-being and academic success. This campaign is rooted in the belief that access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing is a fundamental right for all students, not a privilege reserved for the few. By advocating for significant reductions in rental fees and pushing for the development of co-op housing models, the campaign aims to provide sustainable housing solutions that can alleviate the financial strain on students, enabling them to focus on their studies without the constant worry of housing insecurity.
In addition to these efforts, the Housing is a Right campaign is also calling for guaranteed housing for both domestic and international students. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by international students, who often arrive in Canada with limited knowledge of the local housing market and without a support network, the campaign emphasizes the need for guaranteed, affordable housing options that are safe and accessible. This includes advocating for more university-managed housing facilities and working with local government and community partners to create new housing opportunities that meet the diverse needs of the student population. By addressing these critical housing issues, the campaign not only seeks to reduce the financial burdens on students but also aims to ensure that every student has access to stable, supportive living conditions that are essential for academic success and overall well-being. The Housing is a Right campaign is a call to action for the UTSC community to stand together in demanding fair and equitable housing for all students.
Fairness for International Students
The Fairness for International Students campaign addresses the stark inequalities faced by international students at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) and across Ontario. These students are required to pay tuition fees that are 6-8 times higher than those of domestic students, despite receiving the same education and contributing significantly to the campus community. This financial burden is further exacerbated by the fact that international students in Ontario are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and are instead forced to rely on costly private health insurance programs. These expenses create significant financial strain and make it increasingly difficult for international students to focus on their studies and integrate fully into the academic and social fabric of the university. The Fairness for International Students campaign is a call to action to address these injustices, advocating for equitable treatment and support for all students, regardless of their country of origin.
Central to this campaign is the demand for comprehensive health coverage through OHIP for international students, ensuring they have access to essential healthcare services without the prohibitive costs of private insurance. Additionally, the campaign is pushing for streamlined pathways to permanent residency, allowing international students to transition smoothly into the Canadian workforce and contribute to the country’s economy and society after graduation. The campaign also calls for the regulation and reduction of exorbitant tuition fees, advocating for a more equitable fee structure that reflects the contributions and needs of international students. Furthermore, the campaign demands the inclusion of international students in University of Toronto grants and financial aid programs, ensuring they have access to the same support as domestic students. The Fairness for International Students campaign is dedicated to creating a more just and inclusive environment where international students are valued, supported, and provided with the opportunities they deserve to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.