calling for an end to anti-Asian racism on campus and an official apology to all students and an investigation into the incident, mental health support for students affected, and a detailed course of action to all students and staff to prevent any further incidents of cultural insensitivity.
This includes consulting with students who celebrate holidays like Lunar New Year prior to implementing Lunar New activities, providing annual and ongoing anti-oppression training for staff, and providing “culturally appropriate, anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory support in residence and on campus for students who have been negatively impacted by this action.”
“Having failed to facilitate a safer space for marginalized students and racialized students as well as residents, both Grad House and, by extension, the university have perpetuated such impermissible sentiments during a time of happiness, celebration and reflection for a number of our student communities on campus,” the letter reads.
Students living in the Graduate House sent an email on Wednesday to representatives of the residence and other officials at the university and in the broader community to bring attention to the “hell money” students received in the envelopes and how it was offensive.