January 19th, 2026

Dear fellow students and peers,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you are settling nicely into the new semester!

In collaboration with the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Center (UASAC), the UASU will be hosting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Awareness Week from January 19th to 23rd. 

Over the course of the week, there will be a variety of programming put on by us, the UASAC and student groups from across campus, including:

• Consent Resource Fair: Explore interactive booths, connect with community organizations and student groups, and engage in meaningful conversations in a welcoming, inclusive space. Featured student groups include the Men's Health Group, the Immunology and Infection Students' Association, the Political Science Undergraduate Association, and The University of Alberta Law and Policy Society.
• Consent Collage and Poster Making: Create collages that explore what consent means to you, or design posters and signs to carry in the Take Back the Night march. No art experience needed—just bring your curiosity and your voice.
• Immunology and Infection Students' Association's STI Awareness Committee: Keep an eye out for IMINSA's STI Awareness Committee as they table across campus all week, sharing facts and resources on common STI's in Alberta as well as free goodies!
• Law School Musical: Join the Faculty of Law for their annual theatrical production written, choreographed and composed entirely by law students. This year, they will be putting on Law School Musical, a law-themed parody of High School Musical. All proceeds from the Law Show, and their accompanying silent auction, will be donated to the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE), which supports those affected by sexual violence and works with communities to promote a culture of consent. Buy tickets here.

You can find more information about the programming and event schedule at this link to the UASU website. Be sure to scroll all the way down to check out relevant programming that will be taking place beyond SGBV Awareness Week, held by the Political Science Undergraduate Association, the Latin American Students’ Association, and the Black Students’ Association!

Take Back the Night

As a part of SGBV Awareness Week, I invite you to join us for the Take Back the Night march on Thursday, January 22nd, at 6pm by SUBstage. The march is a call to action to the campus community, asserting that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) has no place on our campus and demonstrating to survivors and those directly impacted by SGBV that they are not alone in this fight.

This is where YOU come in! Collaboration with students and student groups has been a key priority for the Executives this year, and Take Back the Night is no exception. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Social Media: By reposting our content on your social media account, it sends the message that you support this event and the fight to end SGBV. It also helps us increase awareness and engagement with the wider student body! You can follow the UASU Instagram HERE.
• Outreach to Professors: In order to get this in front of as many students as possible, we encourage you to reach out to your professors and lecturers, requesting they share the Take Back the Night advertising with their students, either via email or on Canvas. I have attached an email template you can use to send to them HERE, as well as a graphic you can attach to your emails HERE.
• Invite Your Friends: Take Back the Night is for everyone, regardless of age, gender identity, or identity as an ally, survivor, etc. Please encourage those around you to attend, and bring your friends! When we show up, the University notices, and real change can happen.

I have already shared this with many student groups across campus, as well as with administration and some faculty members, but your support on this initiative is crucial to spreading the word. 

Other event details are as follows:

• There will be sign-making materials available in the Orion Room on the lower level of SUB throughout the day.
• There will be a bag check in the Alumni Lounge (main floor SUB) so attendees can leave their bags in a safe space for the duration of the march.
• Counselors and support staff will also be on-site to assist folks who may require additional support due to the potentially triggering nature of the content.
• There will be alternate routes in case of weather concerns, but attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather.
• Snacks and hot beverages will also be available for attendees.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Task Force Final Report

Before we head out for the march, I will be making a small speech at SUBstage, which will serve as the official launch of the SGBV Task Force Final Report. 

Over the course of the Fall Semester, I had the privilege of chairing the UASU's Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Task Force, bringing together student leaders from key interest groups across campus.  The Task Force was a key platform promise of mine during the elections, and I am proud to have executed and delivered on this promise, beyond what I initially even dreamed of. I am proud to officially present our Final Report, which features 11 key recommendations to the University of Alberta community. You can read the report here.

None of this work would have been possible without the brilliant student leaders who engaged in this work with me as representatives of their respective communities. I extend my warmest thanks to them, and have listed their groups below:

• L’association des universitaires de la Faculté Saint-Jean,
• Augustana Students’ Association,
• Indigenous Students’ Union,
• International Students’ Association,
• Lister Hall Students’ Association,
• East Campus Students’ Association,
• Interfraternity Council,
• National Panhellenic Council,
• Students’ Council,
• and the broader UASU Membership, represented by a Student-at-Large.

As someone who has spent a significant amount of time in the SGBV advocacy space, I have experienced firsthand how draining and discouraging this work can be. However, working with this Task Force has restored in me something I was unsure I would find again: HOPE. Because of this work, I have hope for the future of our students and I believe in a brighter future for this University. I call on you to be brave enough to believe in it too. To the survivors of our campus, I see you, I hear you, and I believe you. This is for all of us.

If you have any questions or thoughts about the report, please feel free to reach out to me at vp.studentlife@uasu.ca.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I deeply appreciate any support you can provide with Take Back the Night, and I hope to see you there!

With love and gratitude,

Logan West
Vice President Student Life