ASSU’s statement on the proposed Mandated Leave Policy
We, at the Arts & Science Students’ Union, proudly represent 24 000 students at the University of Toronto; we hear their concerns daily at our office, and are disappointed by the insufficient response their collective pleas have merited from the administration.
The proposed “University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy” put forward once more by Simcoe Hall directly undermines the integrity of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and its recommendations. The message the university is sending through this policy, at a time where students are expressing concerns about the ongoing mental health crisis across our campuses, is indicative of the university’s abhorrently stubborn response to the concerns of the students they are obligated to represent.
In order to remain in school, students are now forced to disclose their medical information to administrators who, as many students and student organizations have noted previously, are not medical professionals. This would create a fear among students, where disclosing their medical information could put their academic pursuits in jeopardy.
We would like to remind our administration that behind every student number is an individual who is navigating the stresses of university life to the best of their ability. When wholesale policies like these are implemented, they work to neglect the individuals who constitute our student body. We invite the administration to step down from their ivory towers and to enter into a reality that may serve to reduce the disconnect that is evident through the implementation of such harmful policies.
We encourage every student at the University of Toronto to voice their concerns in regard to the proposed “University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy”. Students have been instructed to direct their concerns to the feedback form, found here:
We hope that when given this response, our administration will finally seek to provide us students with the appropriate mental health resources we have continuously demanded. It is our job to hold our administration accountable, and so, we ask that when given the opportunity on May 24th, members of the University Affairs Board vote against this policy. We ask the administration work to ensure meaningful support for mental health and accessibility on our campus, and as our university, push towards policies which work alongside the needs of students.
As always, our office will remain a safe space for students to discuss their mental health concerns.
In solidarity,
The Arts & Science Students’ Union Executive
