BEN FAWCETT
Opinions Writer

As the former USSU vice president of student affairs, a University of Saskatchewan student for six years and a resident of Saskatoon for the past 25, I feel it necessary to comment on the recent proposal to establish a USSU Social Justice Centre.

To my understanding, social justice is a relatively loose term used to define the amalgamative goal of eliminating systemic racism and poverty, establishing equal opportunity for all human beings and protecting human rights. The University of Saskatchewan currently contains myriad student organizations that work — sometimes together, but largely disjointedly — toward the realization of social justice in general. A USSU Social Justice Centre could fulfill a much-needed role on campus as an overarching entity that not only fosters collaboration among independent student organizations, but also provides necessary resources to promote and encourage student participation within such groups.

Furthermore, the necessity of peer support services for students who have been subjected to ethnic or cultural discrimination and/or blatant racism is apparent at the U of S as its international and Aboriginal student populations continue to grow. The VP student affairs is currently delegated this responsibility alongside other issues that permeate the sphere of social justice; however, the portfolio is so diverse and open-ended that a Social Justice Centre would likely compliment the work of the VP student affairs, not detract from the position’s vigour.

A USSU Social Justice Centre could also serve as an essential link between the U of S student body and the greater Saskatoon community. Some may argue that the USSU is not mandated to address issues that do not directly pertain to students at the University of Saskatchewan. However, almost all of us are part-time citizens of Saskatoon and it doesn’t take a genius to realize that systemic injustices are prevalent within our city, province and country.

Moreover, in an increasingly globalized milieu, we must acknowledge the interconnectedness and interdependencies between and among all human beings on Earth. It is fundamentally our duty as students of higher education and future social, political, economic and environmental stewards to confront issues of social injustice.

As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” For these reasons I fully support the inception of a USSU Social Justice Centre and commend the USSU Executive and Student Council for considering this project.

Ben Fawcett is a former USSU VP of student affairs (2009-10)