Learn about the Social Issues Commission
Hi everyone! My name is Ramna and I’m the Commissioner of Social Issues for the 2017-2018 year. It may already be two months into my term, but I’m still unbelievably excited for the year ahead. The Social Issues Commission (SIC) exists to actively challenge and eliminate all levels of oppression on campus, while also promoting and engaging with the student body on areas of equity and anti-oppression.
This year, the SIC will be promoting anti-oppression and social change through three main avenues: by challenging oppression with an intersectional lens and paving safer spaces for marginalized students, by increasing student engagement with equity and fostering education around social issues and, lastly, by lobbying the University to challenge institutional oppression embedded in its system and move towards social change.
At the institutional level, major focuses include accountability and action in response to the recommendations of the Principal’s Implementation Committee on Racism, Diversity and Inclusion and furthering anti-racism efforts in all aspects of the University, developing an AMS anti-hazing training program mandated for senior service staff and directors, and working with Student Wellness Services to meet growing demands for mental health services on campus.
In terms of grassroots campaigns and advocacy, the SIC hopes to facilitate a cultural appropriation awareness campaign in October, establish a Black History Month fund through the SIC to support Black student groups in facilitating relevant programming, and work towards establishing a Sexual Violence Awareness Summit that focuses on education about sexual violence prevention efforts at Queen’s and the intersectionalities of rape culture.
And that’s only the beginning! If you ever have any questions or concerns about anything equity related, JDUC 058 is always open to you. I hope this blog post gives you some insight into how the SIC will be working to achieve our mandate this year and I hope it gets you excited too, about the potential to make Queen’s a more inclusive, more accessible, and more accountable space for all of us.
