(Sault Ste. Marie, ON June 10, 2020)
Today, in keeping with COVID-19 restrictions, a small group gathered at ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV for a flag raising ceremony in honour of Pride month. The event, which featured various speakers in addition to the flag-raising, is one of the ways ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV and the ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV Students’ Union (SCSU) could honour and show its tremendous support for the LGBTQ2S+ community.
¶ˇĎăÔ°AV and SCSU remain fiercely committed to fostering a campus that celebrates diversity and individuality and promotes equity, inclusion and respect for all. “Today’s ceremony was an important initiative to show our commitment and dedication in building a more safe and equal society,” said Janice Beatty, Vice President, Corporate and Student Services, ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV. “Our College strives to embrace people for who they are and all of the beauty that surrounds them. This is what makes our campus exceptional and I am proud to have been a part of today’s ceremony and reinforce our ongoing, strong commitment to creating a campus that is welcoming, safe and inviting to all,” she added.
“We believe that diversity is one of the main strengths of ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV and we want all to be comfortable, feel supported and know that there are resources available. Pride 2020 is truly about showing our solidarity and support during these unprecedented times and we are honoured to raise the Pride flag today in the spirit of solidarity, respect, and love,” said Ahmad Alkosani, President, ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV Students’ Union.
#PrideLivesHere!
About ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV
The vision of ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV is to provide a transformative life experience through empowering those who study with us to think and learn in progressive, innovative ways, including those we have not yet imagined. ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV grants Ontario College certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, and degrees to its graduates. The College is the largest deliverer of apprenticeship training in all of Northern Ontario. ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV has a significant economic impact on the community, with spin-offs in excess of $158 million. Over $1.8 million dollars in scholarships, bursaries and awards are distributed annually to students at the College. Located on the border to the United States and situated in the middle of three of the largest Great Lakes on the planet, in the traditional territory of the Anishnaabe, ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV is one of 24 publicly-funded colleges in the province of Ontario.