Measures announced to address CUS FROSH event

The University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus is announcing three immediate measures to address problems that surfaced during FROSH events run last week by the Commerce Undergraduate Society.

Louise Cowin, Vice President, Students and Robert Helsley, Dean of the Sauder School of Business have struck a fact-finding team to look into reports of chants advocating non-consensual sex. The team will report back by Monday, Sept. 16, on its findings.

Dean Helsley announced that starting this week, the Sauder faculty will be increasing emphasis in the curriculum on issues related to respect, dignity and ethics as well as the university’s respectful environment statement for students, faculty and staff.

Finally, Helsley announced that the Sauder School of Business will no longer support the CUS FROSH events. Recognizing that orientation of first year students is critical, Helsley indicated the Faculty will support future CUS community and team-building events, provided the School has credible assurances from the CUS that they will satisfy the university’s standard of appropriate student conduct.

“What is reported to have happened at FROSH this year is deeply upsetting and is completely inconsistent with the values of the school and UBC,” said Helsley. “Based on initial information I have received, there is enough for me to conclude that the school should end its support for FROSH.”

The Dean and VP Students Cowin will be looking to all members including students in the university community to further engage in this dialogue to allow the community to learn and grow from the experience.

Helsley and Cowin both expressed concern for students who have already been implicated in reports of the FROSH event, as well as for first-year students who may have been troubled by what reportedly took place.

“While such activities are completely unacceptable, and it is easy to direct blame, it is my view that all of us can play a greater role in addressing discriminating and hurtful language and actions,” said Cowin. “The current moment provides an opportunity for the UBC community to engage in such reflection and learning.”

Dean Robert Helsley will be available from 2-3 p.m. at the Sauder School of Business, 2053 Main Mall [Map: www.maps.ubc.ca/?023].