BASE told to “prove” need for more support for black students

Members of the Black Association for Student Expression at the University of Waterloo have allegedly been told by UWaterloo’s equity office to prove that there is a need for more on-campus services for black students. “That kind of discouraged and disappointed us,” said BASE Vice President Fiqir Worku, who added that she felt that her group should not be required to prove a need due to the province’s recent development of a Black Youth Action Plan. UWaterloo Spokesperson Matthew Grant stated that the school “takes the well being of its students seriously, including concerns around racialization, adding that the university has recently undertaken a number of initiatives dedicated to cultural understanding and awareness – including the creation of the AVP role focused on human rights, equity and inclusion. CBC