Creating a Black Student Society at SMU: Reflections from inaugural president, Oratile Mogae

Oratile Mogae is a fourth-year student in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and has a strong passion for the Black student experience at Saint Mary’s. Currently serving in the role of Black Student Coordinator within the Black Student Advising centre, Mogae works to enhance and engage the Black student experience through student-led programming and initiatives. She strives to create a space for “Black students to come together, learn from each other, network, have fun and just be ourselves.”  

Oratile Mogae, inaugural president of the Black Student Society at Saint Mary’s.

The executive team of the Black Student Society.

Under the Student Affairs and Services portfolio, the Black Student Advising centre (BSA) is a support hub for the Black student community at SMU. Mogae describes it as “a place to discuss any challenges or concerns, whether academically, at home or in life in general.” She emphasizes that “the BSA is a place where you don’t have to worry about what people think about you. It’s a safe space to talk and get support.” 

Mogae also recently co-founded the Saint Mary’s University Black Student Society (BSS) and currently serves as the society’s inaugural president.

“It is history that we finally have a Black Student Society,” she says proudly. “It was important for us to start it before Black History/African Heritage month to create a space for all Black students to come together.”  

SMU is fortunate to have established societies for African students and Caribbean students, however, Mogae notes that “some students don’t belong to a specific ethnic group while others represent more than one Black identity. Establishing a Black Student Society was an opportunity to broaden the scope of belonging for all Black students.”

Mogae was driven to help create a student society “to show our cultures, teach our histories and be unapologetically loud together…this can be the space where we learn from and grow with each other.”  

As she prepares to complete her fourth year and transition out of school, Mogae reflects on what she has helped create, noting, “there can often be division amongst different Black groups, but the BSS is all about coming together to celebrate those differences.” She shares that her hope for the Black Student Society “is to unite Black students and become a community together at SMU; to uplift each other in a positive way.”  

The Turner Bursary for African Canadian and Indigenous Women

Keisha Turner BA’12.

Saint Mary’s is proud to offer a new bursary to African Canadian and Indigenous women through the generosity of SMU alumna, Keisha Turner BA’12.

The Turner Bursary reflects Keisha’s identity as a community leader and her own lived experience as a Black female entrepreneur:

"I am so excited to be able to offer this bursary over the next five years. It was bursaries just like these that allowed me to succeed and finish my degree with the stability and support I needed to get where I am today.  It is with great pride and gratitude that I am able to do the same for the next generation of Black and Indigenous leaders."  

During her time at Saint Mary’s, Keisha studied Sociology and won an AUS Championship with the women’s volleyball team in 2010. She has since established an impactful career as an entrepreneur and consultant in Ontario and Nova Scotia. With her husband Michael Polak BComm’14, she has formed Akwekon – a consulting firm that guides Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations in the reconciliation of colonial and Indigenous practices.

It is in this spirit of cultivating positive change that Keisha invests in Saint Mary’s students, and in turn strengthens our community and the world beyond.  

Read more about Keisha’s story in Maroon + White

Notice re: access to Dockside

Please note that from February 21 through to March 17, there will be intermittent restricted access to the Dockside from 1st floor Loyola Academic as a safety requirement during construction.

Please note the following:

• From February 21 to March 17, the corridor connection between 1st floor of Loyola Academic and the Dockside will be intermittently closed.

• Each day, there will be 2 – 3 closure periods of 15-minutes each.

• Access will be restricted by security personnel.

• Access to Vanier through the Link (Hen Alley) will not be impacted.

• Increased noise impact is not anticipated.

Thank you for your patience and understanding with these disruptions as the university moves forward with this exciting project!

United Way update: payroll deductions open

Saint Mary’s is getting ready to brighten the lives of our those in our community with the 2023 United Way fundraising campaign!

While the planning committee is still working on a great line-up of events that will start Monday, March 27, fundraising is getting a bit of a head start this week:

• Payroll deductions now open: Support the United Way with easy payroll deductions smu.ca/unitedway2023. Cut-off date is Friday, March 24.

• Varsity games, Feb 23 + 24: Heading to the game? Bring some spare change and look for the SMU United Way donations table at the men’s hockey games (Thurs. Feb 23 and Fri. Feb 24) and women’s volleyball semi-final playoff (Fri. Feb 24).

When you donate to the United Way Halifax Community Fund this year, you’re supporting 35 life-changing programs that help people across HRM who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, and social isolation.

Stay tuned for a full schedule of activities, including yoga, a book and games sale, mini-massages and more!

SMU Dining celebrates Fair Trade, Feb 27-Mar 3

SMU Dining is hosting some fun events and give-aways to celebrate Fair Trade. Read on for details!

Monday, Feb 27

Free iced coffee giveaway at Student Centre Food Court, featuring our exclusive blend of Just Us! Fair Trade coffee, SMU Brew.

Located within the Student Centre Food Court, from 12:00pm while supplies last.

Tuesday, Feb 28

Boba (Bubble) Tea pop up in Dockside Dining Hall, featuring Just Us! Fair Trade tea.

Located within Dockside for meal plan members (or pay at the door), during the lunch period (11:30am – 2:30pm)

Wednesday, Mar 1

Meet the Just Us! team and learn about all things Fair Trade

Vicki Matthews from Just Us! and Michael Yarymowich, Aramark Canada’s Sustainability Director, will be on site to chat with students about what Fair Trade means and the Just Us-SMU Dining partnership; while enjoying free samples of products and Fair Trade swag!

Located in the Loyola Colonnade, from 11:00am – 2:00pm

Thursday, Mar 2

S’Mores Bar pop up in Dockside Dining Hall, featuring Just Us! Fair Trade chocolate.

Located within Dockside for meal plan members (or pay at the door), during the dinner period (4:30pm – 8:00pm)

Friday, Mar 3

Sustainability Trivia – Spin to Win! Trivia questions pertaining to all things Fair Trade

Located outside of Dockside Dining Hall, with prizes, swag and more to be won!

 
All week:

• Fair Trade Basket Giveaway via @SMUDiningHFX social media channels

• Official relaunch of SMU Dining’s Lug-a-Mug program

• $0.25 discount at non-franchised locations when using a reusable mug

Bus pass discounts coming soon for SMU

Saint Mary’s will soon be making discounted bus passes available to employees.

The university has signed on to HRM’s EPass Program, an initiative that provides annual discounted transit passes purchased through payroll deduction, offering savings for employees and encouraging sustainable commuting.

Interested employees will be able to sign up for the program between Monday, February 20 and Friday, March 10.

February 16 update: Full details and sign-up information now available! https://www.smu.ca/about/employee-transit-epass.html

Earthquakes in Syria and Turkey: supports for students

It has been devastating watching events unfold in Turkey and Syria following the earthquakes earlier this week. We have a number of students who call those places home and have been keeping them in our thoughts. Large-scale tragedies are felt far and wide and can impact anyone’s well-being.

Beneficial service supports can be accessed through Student Affairs and Services, including the International Student Centre, Counselling Centre and the International Wellness Ambassador through the Counselling Centre, and teams within the Student Success Centre.

There are also a number of free mental wellness supports available within SMU and throughout the HRM, which can be found on the Counselling Centre’s Resources page. We also encourage you to connect with your faculty’s academic advisors where needed. 

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Patrick Power Library & Student Affairs share literary display for African Heritage Month

Display at Patrick Power Library

In collaboration with the Patrick Power Library, Black Student Advisor* Bria Symonds compiled a selection of scholarly texts that celebrate Black joy and liberation as part of the university’s African Heritage Month initiatives.  

Bria Symonds

The literary display provides perspectives, education and information for a range of audiences. Drawing from her experience and education in social work, community engagement and activism to inform her selections, Symonds highlights three particular works as an excellent starting point for anyone interested in exploring, understanding and engaging throughout the month of February and beyond. 

Burnley “Rocky” Jones Revolutionary, by Burnley “Rocky” Jones 

Symonds describes the African Nova Scotian author Burnley “Rocky” Jones as “an amazing pillar in the African Nova Scotian community, who was engaged in everything from social justice and education to politics and community mobilization.” 

As noted by the publisher, the book “illuminates the Black experience in Nova Scotia, it explains the evolving nature of race relations and human rights in recent Canadian history, and it reveals the origins of the “remedial” approach to racial equality that is now practised by activists and governments.” Symonds calls it “a beneficial read for allies looking to inform and understand how we can work in ways that are community centred from a social justice lens.” 

Policing Black Lives: State violence in Canada from slavery to the present, Robyn Maynard 

Symonds describes this selection as a heavier but highly educative read. “This book has been an impactful scholarly piece in my educational journey and professional life,” she says. ”It looks at complex and difficult stories of what policing looks like in Canada and provides valuable context in understanding what anti-black racism is.”  

The publisher says “Maynard’s intersectional approach to anti-Black racism addresses the unique and understudied impacts of state violence as it is experienced by Black women, Black people with disabilities, as well as queer, trans, and undocumented Black communities.” With the heaviness of the topic, Symonds recommends taking time to process and reflect on the reading. 

Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements, Charlene Carruthers 

To contrast her previous selection, Symonds highlights Unapologetic as “a lighter read that is excellent for folks who are trying to understand the true meaning of intersectionality.” The notion of intersectionality looks at critical race theory and law and how that plays into the way multiple oppressions may be experienced. 

Symonds recommends the book as an exploration of “how we can reduce and prevent anti-black racism, as well as providing inclusiveness to those that come from a queer background.” Symonds points to the university’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, citing Unapologetic as an excellent read to promote continued learning and engagement within the SMU community and beyond. 

These three reads, along with the full compilation of selected scholarly texts will be on display at the Patrick Power Library for the full month of February. The library also proudly houses The Lynn Jones African Canadian & Diaspora Heritage Collection in the University Archives. The Lynn Jones Collection is accessible at any time to researchers, the SMU community and wider community. Please contact or drop by the Archives. A limited selection of the collection has been digitized and hosted online.

*Note: At the time of the interview, Symonds held the title of Black Student Advisor. The position is currently vacant, however Black/African-descended student supports remain available through Student Affairs and Services. 

University announces updated Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy and enhanced supports

As part of Saint Mary’s ongoing commitment to promoting a positive and supportive learning environment, the university has announced an updated and expanded Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy. 

The policy replaces the previous Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures (2019) and introduces enhanced processes and new supports for the Saint Mary’s community, including the addition of a Sexual Violence Advisor that will be a key, confidential resource for faculty, staff and students. 

The update is the result of months of research, analysis and consultation on the part of the Sexual Violence Policy Review Committee (formed in November 2021), a working group comprised of members from People and Culture, Student Affairs and Services, the University Secretariat, SMUSA and faculty with expertise in sexual violence policy. 

“The enhanced policy is designed to support the entire campus community and is a key to continuing to promote a safe and supportive campus environment and culture for all,” says Tom Brophy, Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs and Services. “A safe learning environment is fundamental to our students’ success, which has always been a priority at Saint Mary’s.”  

“We strive for Saint Mary’s to be a safe and respectful place to work and learn,” says Mark Moffett, Associate Vice-President, People and Culture. “This policy provides clear guidance and support and better reflects current understanding and best practices. Sexual violence and sexual harassment are not tolerated in any measure within the Saint Mary’s community.” 

Cross-campus consultations were held with faculty, staff and students to gather input, and the enhanced policy reflects feedback to ensure it is survivor-centred, trauma-informed, culturally informed, intersectional and procedurally fair. As such, the committee’s updates include a focus on confidential disclosure, enhanced supports and formal reporting processes and procedures. 

With a commitment to continuous improvement, the Sexual Violence Policy Review committee will convene every three years, or sooner as needed, to ensure the policy continues to evolve and reflect current understandings. 

New support: Sexual Violence Advisor  

Dee Dooley, Sexual Violence Advisor at Saint Mary’s University.

Included within the committee’s updates, the university has also developed provisions to enhance sexual violence supports at Saint Mary’s and has appointed Dee Dooley into the role of Sexual Violence Advisor. 

Dee is a community advocate with expertise in gender-based violence prevention and education. She holds degrees in Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology and an Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Advocacy. For over a decade, Dee has worked with youth, community organizations, service providers, post-secondary institutions, and governments on various gender-based violence prevention, intervention, awareness, and response initiatives for and with women, youth, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.  

Dee supports survivors, education, policy, and research as they pertain to sexual violence and harassment at Saint Mary’s. 

In the works 

Saint Mary’s is pleased to share that further initiatives are underway in support of enhancing a community of support. The Sexual Violence Support team will be rolling out a series of information workshops available to faculty, staff and students to promote awareness and understanding around sexual violence and sexual harassment topics. Faculty and staff sessions will be launched in the coming months and group booking opportunities will also be made available. 

Additionally, the Sexual Violence Support webpage is being updated to better support community needs and promote a refined user experience. Updates will include a simplified approach to accessing content and resources, and a modified visual experience that supports a survivor-centred lens. 

For a more in-depth understanding of sexual violence supports, distinctions and rights, visit the Sexual Violence Supports web page. 

FAQ 

Who can access the Sexual Violence supports? 

Resources and supports are available for all Saint Mary’s students, staff and faculty members. To access supports, visit https://www.smu.ca/svs/welcome.html or contact the Sexual Violence Advisor at sexualviolence@smu.ca. 

What is the difference between a disclosure and a report? 

As outlined in the Sexual Violence and Harassment policy, Saint Mary’s distinguishes between a disclosure and a report of sexual violence or harassment. 

Disclosing and reporting are separate actions, at the discretion of the survivor, that result in various levels of response or action by the university. 

Disclosure is the act of telling a member of the Saint Mary’s community about an experience of sexual violence or harassment for support and does not automatically initiate a formal investigation or response by Saint Mary’s University. Disclosing can help a person access support and information. 

Reporting is the act of telling a designated member of the Saint Mary’s community (i.e. the Sexual Violence Advisor) to initiate an institutional response. 

Do I need to make a report to access support? 

You can access any resource without making a report and have the right to stop using the resource(s) at any point. The only exception to this is if you are under the age of 16 and are assaulted or under the age of 19 and the perpetrator is in a position of power, in which people are legally obligated to inform the police or Child Protection Services. 

 Is my information confidential? 

Ensuring confidentiality is a key principle in creating an environment where people who have experienced sexual violence and harassment feel comfortable exploring their options and seeking support. Your information is confidential and protected by privacy legislation. There are some exceptions to confidentiality, including risk of imminent harm to you or the broader university community, a legal obligation to report due to age of the complainant, or a legal obligation to participate in a judicial process. 

What is the informal resolution process? 

To allow for increased survivor choice, an Informal Resolution process has been added to the Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy. The Informal Resolution process recognizes the need for an option for remedial, educational and restorative outcomes in cases of sexual violence or harassment. The Informal Resolution process requires the informed consent of both a survivor and a respondent. 

What is the formal resolution process? 

When a Formal Resolution process is implemented, an investigator will coordinate a trauma-informed and procedurally fair investigation by collecting information from all parties involved. The Investigator will provide a report and recommend a finding on if a Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy violation has occurred based on a balance of probabilities. The Responsible Authority will make a decision on outcomes based on the Investigator’s report.  

Are there any key differences in the new Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy? 

The Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy will replace the Policy on Conflict Resolution and the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination in the University’s response to sexual harassment.  Ensuring a comprehensive, stand-alone policy and associated regulations on sexual violence and harassment is a best practice.  

Another important change: Due to inherent power dynamics and in the interest of maintaining integrity and respect in our working and learning environments, relationships between faculty and students, staff and students or two employees with a linear reporting relationship are prohibited.  

SMU community rallies to assist Fred Smithers Testing Centre during building closure

With exams swiftly approaching, the unexpected closure of the Student Centre in early December required some quick thinking from the team at the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC). 

A student uses Dragon speech recognition software, one of the supports provided by the Fred Smithers Centre.

The FSC offers a myriad of accommodations and is notably accessed for its testing and exams supports. On any given week, the testing centre supports between 50 to 75 test accommodations; a number that jumped to more than 350 during the first week of exams.  

With the testing centre unable to open, the FSC team turned to the Saint Mary’s community for support and were welcomed with open doors by areas in the Atrium and the Sobey School of Business, among other locations on campus. Faculty were incredibly supportive of the last-minute changes.   

“The students who [were] affected by the damage to the FSC will have had approved exam accommodations,” says Dean of Science, Lori Francis. “We have the responsibility to provide said accommodations to the point of undue hardship, which is a very high bar indeed.”  

The FSC team successfully assisted all students with approved exam accommodations, using the alternate locations across campus. The students were patient and flexible with the changes, and appreciative of the resource spaces. "I actually found the [Secunda Marine] Boardroom to be pretty relaxing,” said one student. “It was a nice space to write my exam."  

Students requiring specific technology supports such as the Dragon speech recognition software device were able to defer exams until they were able to regain access to the testing centre, which re-opened on December 19. One student who used the headset and speech-to-text supports noted that the Dragon software has been helpful in allowing him to focus on the content of his responses rather than worrying about the grammatical intricacies of writing them out.  

“The Fred Smithers Centre team is extremely grateful to the wider SMU community for all the help received during the closure,” says Kate McHugh, Manager of the Fred Smithers Centre. “From offers of physical space, flexibility in timing, and even treat drop-offs, the FSC felt incredibly supported by our colleagues across campus.”  

For information on student accommodations, visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility page.  

VIDEO: A holiday message from our president

Please enjoy this short video that reflects all that Saint Mary’s has accomplished this year. If so inspired, please share with your networks by using the Share function above.

Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday!

Food Service hours: Exam period + holiday break

Wondering what’s open for food options on campus over the coming weeks?

Check this listing to see what’s available during exams and over the holiday break on campus.