RE: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

Hello,

Thank you Ebony for being willing to share what happened to you, and I so sorry to hear this. I hope you get better soon.

In further support of Ebony’s doubt that the PHO or the University will share information in a timely manner, I will share what happened in our area of the library that confirms her doubts are absolutely justified.

When we had someone test positive we followed all of the correct processes, filled out the forms, told the right departments and we even went further to ask that we tell colleagues that someone that they worked with had tested positive – we know who worked with who and when. We were specifically told that PHO would do all of the contact tracing and as far as we can tell no one was contacted by PHO or the University at any time.

By the time our colleague that tested positive disclosed to others that they had a positive test, another person in our area had experienced symptoms and missed work after having worked with the person who originally tested positive. After the 2^nd person found out that their colleague had a positive test AND they were not informed by anyone else, they then asked me how I was going to protect them and their peers in the future. I escalated this concern and I was told that I have done the right things… But did I? We followed the process and wanted to go further, but did not because were told not to and to trust the system. As you can see that guidance is not enough. Someone else was put in an unsafe work environment and they knew it.

With guidance the way that it is I am put in a position where I have to compromise someone because the PHO and the University is not providing information in a timely manner. Do I disclose a positive Covid test and that disclosure lest everyone knows who it was even if I try to maintain anonymity, do I ask them while they are sick to let me tell their colleagues, do we leave it to people like Ebony who goes out of their way, while sick, to do the work of the organizations in charge of keepings us safe or do I put other colleagues at risk because I should not violate someone’s medical privacy?

This experiences is on top of the fact that, as stated by on other library colleagues, in all the libraries we have to manage the number of people who won’t wear masks and we cannot remove them from the library. We educate people about the mask mandate, provide free masks, but then we leave and if they don’t comply, they don’t comply and that is the end of the mandate.

Mark

____________________________________________

Mark Christensen (he, him)

Division Head | Access Services

Simon Fraser University | W.A.C. Bennett Library 3011

8888 University Dr., Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6

Mark_Christensen@sfu.ca | T: 778.782.4081

I respectfully acknowledge SFU is on unceded Coast Salish Territory; the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Kwikwetlem First Nations.

From: Lyn Bartram <lyn@sfu.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, October 6, 2021 9:55 AM
To: James Fleming <james_fleming@sfu.ca>; Lucas Herrenbrueck <herrenbrueck@sfu.ca>
Cc: Bernhard Riecke <ber1@sfu.ca>; Leanna Jantzi <leanna_jantzi@sfu.ca>; Ebony Magnus <ebony_magnus@sfu.ca>; Ellen Balka <ellenb@sfu.ca>; Baharak Yousefi <byousefi@sfu.ca>; academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Re: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

WE have provincial mandates and now laws.

They should be enforced.

We enforce smoking restrictions and just think what would happen if someone lit up a cigarette in the library. Would staff stand by and just say "we won't do anything"? I highly doubt it, they would ask (as their patrons would DEmAND) that the smoker either butt out or get out.

But we will let people deliberately flout public health requirements designed to protect us all?????

So yes, bring in security. By all means.

Quebec has it right. They just won't put up with this idiocy.

From: James Fleming
Sent: October 6, 2021 9:50:33 AM
To: Lucas Herrenbrueck
Cc: Bernhard Riecke; Leanna Jantzi; Lyn Bartram; Ebony Magnus; Ellen Balka; Baharak Yousefi; academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Re: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

So, to add to the list: there is a demand for--if I understand--faculty and staff prerogative to remove, or cause to be removed, any individual refusing to wear a mask from any indoor SFU space. Presumably, this would, potentially, entail involvement of Campus Security, and/or RCMP, forcibly to remove non-compliant individuals. JDF

From: Lucas Herrenbrueck <herrenbrueck@sfu.ca>
Sent: October 6, 2021 8:40 AM
To: James Fleming
Cc: Bernhard Riecke; Leanna Jantzi; Lyn Bartram; Ebony Magnus; Ellen Balka; Baharak Yousefi; academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Re: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

Hi James,

What Ebony said:

"I have been specifically advised not to remove anyone from the library if they refuse my request to wear a mask."

A mandate is only a mandate if it is enforced.

To answer your earlier question, I would also like:

a) free on-demand rapid testing

b) rigorous data collection and sharing, where we will hear about every positive test on campus

c) see if we can poach Margaret McGlynn from Western University (see the email at the very bottom) and put her in charge of our covid response 😉

Lucas

On Wed., Oct. 6, 2021, 07:27 James Fleming, <james_fleming@sfu.ca> wrote:

ok, so far I am hearing demands for:
-- Vax passport control (or substitute testing) for entry to any and all SFU spaces.
-- Mandatory vax declaration (or sub. testing).
The one I don't understand is a call for compliance with
-- "The bare minimum PHO mask mandate."
In what way(s), please, is the university failing to comply with this order?
JDF

From: Bernhard Riecke <ber1@sfu.ca>
Sent: October 6, 2021 12:37:55 AM
To: Leanna Jantzi; James Fleming; Lyn Bartram; Ebony Magnus
Cc: Ellen Balka; Baharak Yousefi; Lucas Herrenbrueck; academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Re: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

I agree that it's really embarrassing and hard to believe that SFU refuses to take sufficient measures to ensure a safe work environment.
What I'd like to see is especially that everybody who enters any campus spaces to either be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination (isn't that what the vaccination passport is supposed to be about? when flying I had to upload vaccination proof into the system - why not do the same?), and mandatory and regular rapid testing for everybody else. Or even mandatory vaccination for all that don't have a good reason why they can't get vaccinated.

We spend countless hours trying to make our labs safe, and imho this time could be much better spent (e.g., on improving education) if SFU would decide to follow up on its promises...

cheers
Bernhard

On 2021-10-06 07:04, Leanna Jantzi wrote:

Hi James,

I'm not asking for any additional measures. I'm asking that university leadership to do what they said they would do: implement a mandatory vaccine declaration and rapid testing program. I also expect them to support enforcement of the bare minimum PHO mask mandate.

Leanna

Leanna Jantzi

Head, Fraser Library | Simon Fraser University | Surrey

Unceded Kwantlen, Katzie, and other Stó:lō Nations' Territories

leanna_jantzi@sfu.ca | 778.782.7417

www.lib.sfu.ca/surrey

My pronouns are she/her/hers.

From: James Fleming <james_fleming@sfu.ca>
Sent: 05 October 2021 21:55
To: Lyn Bartram; Ebony Magnus
Cc: Ellen Balka; Baharak Yousefi; Lucas Herrenbrueck; academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Re: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

May I ask: What additional measures would colleagues like to see the university take? JDF

From: Lyn Bartram <lyn@sfu.ca>
Sent: October 5, 2021 9:38:12 PM
To: Ebony Magnus
Cc: Ellen Balka; Baharak Yousefi; Lucas Herrenbrueck; academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Re: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

This makes me enraged. The PROVINCE passed a law mandating masks in indoor spaces. Now the administration of SFU is not only refusing to implement basic health and safety protocols, diverging from the other BC universities, but is also explicitly refusing to enforce the LAW. What can we do about this? Perhaps we should be speaking to the media and to the Board of Governors.

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 5, 2021, at 8:15 PM, Ebony Magnus <ebony_magnus@sfu.ca> wrote:

Hi all,

Thanks, Baharak, for sharing the response you received about rapid testing.

As mentioned, I received a positive covid result last night via text. I wasn’t contacted by Public Health until late this afternoon and that call was to ensure I received the results. I’m told I may not be contacted again for contact tracing until Thursday. I have little faith that the PHO or SFU will share critical information in a timely manner with those potentially impacted. As such, I decided to email colleagues in my department this morning to let them know about the timeline of my symptoms and my diagnosis so they can make appropriate choices for themselves. I also contacted people I met with in-person last week. I don’t know when or if the PHO or SFU will notify my colleagues and contacts.

Belzberg Library was closed from March 17, 2020 to Sept 6, 2021. I and a few other staff members regularly worked on-site from August 2020 forward. We re-opened Belzberg on September 7. Twenty-seven days later I’m confirmed to have covid. We have a mask mandate, but I have been specifically advised not to remove anyone from the library if they refuse my request to wear a mask. I have been yelled at by patrons on several occasions when I’ve taken SFU’s “educational approach” and reminded people to wear a mask in the library. The proof of vaccination that applies to residences, pubs, recreation, etc. does not apply in library spaces. SFUFA, APSA, and CUPE members work in all three library locations and essentially have no recourse in the event that patrons refuse to adhere to SFU’s voluntary “mandates”.

I’m willing to share all this because I am so far past the point of patience, decorum, or polite reminders about masks. Please do what you can to push SFU to - finally - take meaningful action to protect us, our families, and our communities.

Ebony

From: Ellen Balka
Sent: October 5, 2021 7:49:23 PM
To: Baharak Yousefi
Cc: Lucas Herrenbrueck; academic-discussion@sfu.ca; Ebony Magnus
Subject: Re: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

Hi-

Thanks foe sharing— Ebony, hope you are feeling ok!

I find the wording from the COVID rapid response team- that they are offering (but not requiring) rapid tests - and only to the unvaccinated or those who have not declared- incredibly problematic.

I’m aware that the university would like us all to be back on campus but what I read in the message below leaves me dis-inclined to be there. -Ellen.

Apologies for brevity- sent from my phone. -Ellen.

On Oct 5, 2021, at 7:35 PM, Baharak Yousefi <byousefi@sfu.ca> wrote:

Dear all,

With permission from my colleague, Ebony Magnus, I wanted to share my experience of being a close contact of a known positive case on campus.

Ebony and I work at the Belzberg Library together and met in person on Friday for an extended period. Even prior to receiving a positive breakthrough COVID-19 diagnosis on Monday, Ebony let me know that she wasn't feeling well. This allowed me to make a few good decisions including working from home and not accompanying an immunocompromised friend to a medical appointment.

I emailed the SFU Covid Response Team today and asked if I could access a rapid antigen test as I have not been able to find any through pharmacies or my GP, and I am asymptomatic so far and ineligible for a PCR test. Their response included:

"SFU is offering rapid screening to all students, faculty and staff who are not vaccinated, or who choose not to declare their vaccination status. Our approach is informed by guidance from the BCCDC. For the duration of this program, only the eligible groups can participate."

It is frustrating to hear that SFU is not interested in proactive screening and providing rapid testing for close contacts (and are incentivizing non-compliance), but also if my colleague had not shared this information with me, I wouldn't know about the exposure. No word yet from the PHO.

It seems to me that we are on our own here re notifications of workplace exposure and transmission.

Baharak

_________________

Baharak Yousefi (she/her)
Librarian for History, International Studies, Graduate Liberal Studies, & Political Science

Belzberg Library | Simon Fraser University | 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1G4

Occupied Xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories | #LandBack

From: Lucas Herrenbrueck <herrenbrueck@sfu.ca>
Sent: October 5, 2021 4:52 PM
To: academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Fw: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

Yo,

I just got this from UWO (where I have an adjunct appointment but hadn't gotten the original message at the bottom). It's good to see some institutions of higher learning are taking proof of vaccination seriously.

All that boldface definitely helps get the urgency of the message across -- as does the Soprano style "serious implications ... which we would definitely prefer to avoid" 😂

Any insight into how SFU is handling this nowadays?

From: Margaret McGlynn <vpappf@uwo.ca>
Sent: October 5, 2021 12:27
Cc: Nicholas Harney; Ella Forbes-Chilibeck
Subject: URGENT: Western University's Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination_Faculty of Social Science

Dear Faculty Members,

If you are receiving this email, it is because our records show you have an Adjunct Appointment with Western University. We are wanting to gently remind you again that Western has a Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination policy in place and as of September 30, 2021 we don’t appear to have a record that your proof of vaccination has been uploaded in our system.

I appreciate that the previous notifications were sent to your UWO email address; it is possible that email address may not be activated, or you don’t check that regularly or our email may simply have been caught in a spam trap. On September 10^th, the email (see below) was sent to your UWO email address. That email has the information that you will need to complete this requirement and should answer any questions you might have.

Your response is required. If you could please turn your mind to uploading your proof of vaccination at your earliest convenience, that will dramatically lessen the likelihood of having to receive more of these types of reminders. There are serious implications if you have not uploaded your vaccination documentation by October 12, 2021, which we would definitely prefer to avoid. Your continued Appointment at Western is important to us.

It is possible that you may have already complied with this requirement and you are receiving this email in error. Your response will allow us to update your records.

Talk soon. Take care.

Ella Forbes-Chilibeck

Director, Office of Faculty Relations

On 2021-09-10 5:29 p.m., Margaret McGlynn wrote:

This is a gentle reminder that Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Status is required by Western University. If you are receiving this email, it means that Western’s records indicate that you have not uploaded your proof of vaccination status yet. This email is intended to help you understand how to submit your proof of vaccination to Western and how important it is that you do so as soon as possible.

All members of the community, including you because you hold an Appointment at Western, were required to upload proof of vaccination by Tuesday, September 7. You have until October 12 to submit proof of full vaccination and will be required to be tested for COVID-19 every 72 hours in the interim if you are working for Western, with results submitted to the University. Currently, the requirement is that you submit your proof of full vaccination to Western only once. If you received your vaccinations in Ontario, you can download your vaccination receipts at Ontario Health website.

It is appreciated that some of you have had to submit verifications to hospitals, clinics and our other Western partners. However, the Western system cannot currently be linked with those partners so we are all required to submit that information directly to Western at this time.

If you have questions, information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available: COVID-19: Effectiveness and Benefits of Vaccination module. When finished, please complete the Confirmation found on the left-hand menu in OWL.

How do I upload my verification?

You should have received a proof of vaccination verification invitation by email. You will need that email as it contains a “unique email submission link” which is required to upload your verification. To help you to locate that email; the subject line was Action Required: Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Status and it was sent to your Western email from noreply@survey.uwo.ca on or about August 26, 2021.

What do I do if I cannot find my unique email submission link?

If you have trouble finding the August 26, 2021 email, please contact Human Resources, Western University at takecare@uwo.ca.

What if I can’t get vaccinated?

All full- and part-time faculty, clinical academics, librarians and archivists (as well as all staff) are required to comply with the Western vaccination policy, unless they have an approved accommodation. If you believe your unique circumstances may entitle you to an exemption from vaccination, please contact the Office of Faculty Relations seeking accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Act. Information for requesting an accommodation is available here. You can reach the Office of Faculty Relations regarding your accommodation request by emailing Faculty Relations Consultant, Dirk Volschenk, at dvolsche@uwo.ca.

What if I refuse to be vaccinated?

All full- and part-time faculty, clinical academics, librarians and archivists (as well as all staff) are required to comply with the Western vaccination policy. If you fail or refuse to upload your vaccination confirmation and do not have an accommodation on the basis of a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Act you will be suspended with pay pending confirmation of your noncompliance and, if confirmed, suspended without pay. Falsified vaccination documentation will result in immediate termination for cause.

Will my records remain confidential?

If you have any concerns related to data security or privacy, please contact Western's Privacy Officer at privacy.office@uwo.ca.

We require you to respond directly to this email by no later than September 15^th to allow Western to confirm where you are in the vaccination compliance process. It is possible that you may have already complied with this requirement and you are receiving this email in error. Your response will allow us to update your records.

Many thanks for your efforts as together we will make our environment safer for all.

Margaret McGlynn (she/her)

Vice Provost (Academic Planning, Policy and Faculty)

Professor, Department of History

Western University

International and Graduate Affairs Building, 0N 50

London, ON, Canada

N6A 5B7

--
Bernhard Riecke, PhD
Professor | School of Interactive Arts & Technology (SIAT)
Director of iSpace Lab | TEDxSFU license holder & speaker coach
My TEDx talk: "Could Virtual Reality make us more human?"
Simon Fraser University Surrey | 250 - 13450 102 Avenue, Surrey, BC V3T 0A3, Canada
Office: 2822 (Podium 2) | iSpaceLab.com/Riecke | SIAT homepage
E-mail: ber1@sfu.ca | skype: thebernie