MRU's students association pushes back against lifting mask mandates

The Students' Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU) believes that the Alberta government's recent directive for the school to lift its masking mandate isn't in line with student expectations. 

In a statement released on Wednesday, the students' association stated that the news "has once again created undue stress and uncertainty for many students." 

SAMRU president Spirit River Striped Wolf told CBC News that a large majority of students at MRU already had concerns about transitioning back to in-person learning, even before masking mandates were lifted. 

"We do think that this is an equity, diversity and inclusion issue because of those students who are immunocompromised or who have family members who are, and who came to this school with the understanding that there were going to be these health protocols in place." 

Striped Wolf said the students' association is urging the campus community to continue to wear masks for the rest of the winter semester.

"I think it's really important to note that we're not asking for masks forever," he said.  

In a statement, MRU said that while masks on campus would no longer be required after March 14, it "strongly recommends [students] continue to wear a mask until the end of the winter term as an additional layer of protection."

Students already burnt out, SAMRU president says

Demetrios Nicolaides, the province's minister of advanced education, said that it was his expectation that post-secondary institutions align their COVID policies with the direction of government. 

"Students can still wear a mask if they so please and we must respect everyone's individual choices," said Nicolaides in a statement.

Striped Wolf said he hopes to see the university granted more autonomy to decide what is best for its own students.

"We're not asking the government not to be part of the decision making, but we understand that each university in this province is unique, with a unique student body," he said. 

"A one size fits all approach is, we believe, heavy handed and prevents universities from doing what they do best, which is innovating new paths forward for society." 

The students' association said MRU students are already feeling burnt out from tuition increases, cuts to post-secondary funding, constant changes in course delivery, and the threat of a faculty strike. It says lifting mask mandates now "will only make things worse."

On Feb. 14, MRU and its faculty association announced that they had reached an agreement in principle over contract negotiations, preventing a potential work stoppage.