‘Slut’ comment activists demand METRAC changes

Nicholas Maronese
Editor-in-Chief
The controversy surrounding a Toronto police officer’s comments on sexual assault on campus has inspired several student activists to push for rapid action in upping security on campus, particularly the implementing of changes recommended in the METRAC safety audit.
According to Rob Kilfoyle, York University’s director of security, the administration is ahead of schedule when it comes to reviewing and making METRAC-inspired changes, and several have already been put in place.
The METRAC audit – released June 25, 2010 – included 101 suggestions for general campus safety. Among others, it recommends that York increase its security staffing levels; review its non-intervention policy; increase funds for the Sexual Assault Survivors Support Line (SASSL); and make equity or women’s studies courses mandatory for undergraduate students.
“The aim of all of our activity is to increase the accountability and transparency of institutions and to address systemic violence and ignorance within the York campus,” said Alyssa Teekah, a member of the Women’s Studies Undergraduate Student Club, of the protests they’d planned at York. “We want to see implementation of METRAC initiatives, and the inclusion of the student public in these decisions.”
However, Kilfoyle pointed to several changes, some of which can be found in a METRAC-based list updated Jan. 2011, that York administration, in co-operation with the Management Safety Committee (MSC), has reviewed and implemented far ahead of schedule.
“METRAC was very astute in recognizing some items are going to take some time,” said Robert Castle, advisor to the vice-president finance. “But wherever we can be, we’re ahead of schedule, because these are important issues.”
Castle used as an example a recommendation that security officers be trained in gender-based violence issues. “If you look at the recommended time frame, it says two to five years, and here we are nine months later talking about the implementation stages.”
In the matrix, the change is marked “significantly advanced.” Kilfoyle said safe space and anti-oppression training for security was set for December, but postponed due to exams and issues with the Centre for Human Rights. The training is now scheduled for the end of March.
Several other major changes are still under review, including possible changes to the non-intervention policy that stops security from getting physically involved in disputes. “It’s on the top of the pile,” said Kilfoyle, though he noted more consultation with the community is required before a decision is made.
An increase to security staff numbers is also on the table. Either 10 or 16 new officers will be added to the team, and will respectively cost either $531,000 or $930,000 annually. It is currently pending budget approval.
While revisions to the goSAFE program are marked “under review,” Castle confirmed they have approvals for two new school buses to replace the current vans, and that they’ve consulted with student groups on expanding routes.
Some suggestions marked “complete and ongoing” have been adopted after review prompted some tweaking. For example, while METRAC recommended CCTV surveillance cameras be monitored by licensed officers, the MSC noted that under new laws, the operators need not be licensed. A third operator-supervisor has been added, Kilfoyle said.
Other major recommendations have been shot down altogether. The controversial suggestion to have an equity or women’s studies course be made a mandatory requirement for an undergraduate degree was marked “not feasible” in December.
Changes marked “complete” include petitioning the TTC to move route 196 so that it passes Murray Ross Pkwy, Cook Rd. and Pond Rd.; the establishment of a safety website; and regular addresses on safety from York president Mamdouh Shoukri.
endnote: Information on York University safety changes can be found at www.yorku.ca/safety