In a statement by President and Vice-Chancellor Gillian Siddall, Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver has announced the cancellation of classes on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 27 so that students and faculty may attend the climate strike day of action.
The climate crisis is a defining issue of our time. We know that many of you care deeply about this global priority and have taken action in your daily lives. Some of you have created work that engages with pressing environmental concerns, or have produced research that tackles questions about the future of our planet. The Global Climate Strike is a worldwide, student-led initiative in support of climate justice. Vancouver students have organized a rally and march on Friday, September 27 at 1:00 pm, beginning at Vancouver City Hall. We acknowledge the importance of this event and understand that many of you wish to participate. To facilitate this, the university is cancelling all classes on campus after 12pm on Friday, September 27...
Faculty leading off-campus curriculum may cancel activities at their discretion. We ask that they inform students of their decision and accommodate those who attend the strike. The university is also committed to the integrity of the pedagogical environment. We suggest that faculty work with students to ensure the curriculum is not disadvantaged. Staff who wish to participate in the Global Climate Strike are welcome to do so...
The post-secondary institution's announcement comes on the same day Greta Thunberg made global headlines with her speech at a UN summit in New York in which she urged world leaders to take urgent action on the climate.
The BC Teachers' Federation, the union representing educators in the K-12 system in British Columbia, has also issued a statement in solidarity with the climate strike. In Montreal, where Thunberg is scheduled to attend a climate demonstration on Friday, the local school board has given all of its 114,000 students the day off for the climate strike.
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