UBC vice president Ainsley Carry urges fraternities, sororities, and student groups to follow public health orders

The University of B.C. office of VP students will host a mandatory training session with all fraternity and sorority presidents in the wake of illegal parties on the Point Grey campus.

These training sessions will be conducted in partnership with the RCMP, which polices the Point Grey campus, and Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.

The official in charge of the office, vice president Ainsley Carry, said in a written statement that "multiple Greek letter organizations at UBC were issued fines by the University and RCMP for noise and public health violations". He described this behaviour as "unacceptable".

"While I understand the value of social gatherings to connect students at the beginning of the new school year, large social gatherings have the potential to trigger COVID-19 outbreaks," Carry said.

Georgia Straight writer Craig Takeuchi previously reported that the RCMP had issued $5,000 fines in connection with an August 29 event in Fraternity Village on Westbrook Mall. At that time, the Mounties observed hundreds of students gathered in the courtyard and several homes, vastly exceeding the 50-person maximum, and only a few were wearing masks.

"I am urging fraternities, sororities, and all student organizations to strictly follow Public Health Orders related to COVID-19," Carry said in his statement. "Furthermore, I strongly urge students to report and avoid large indoor social gatherings that violate public health orders. We do not want parties to jeopardize the safe return to campus and everything for which we have all worked so hard."

https://twitter.com/CTVVancouver/status/1433184167609708551

UBC has a student code of conduct that applies to anyone enrolled in a credit course.

Prohibited conduct includes endangering the health or safety of others. Disciplinary measures include a written warning or reprimand all the way up to suspension and expulsion.

On September 1, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said that there were 785 new COVID-19 cases in B.C.

This came on the same day when crowds of opponents of vaccine passports held demonstrations outside hospitals in several parts of the province, including Vancouver.