On Nov. 6, the Ontario Public Interest Research Group’s (OPIRG) York University branch hosted its “The University is Not a Factory” event in Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies (HNES) 140. The meeting brought together students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.
The event also featured speakers representing five campaigns: Dani Michie of Change Course: Solidarity with Gitxan Youth Against the PRGT (Prince Rupert Gas Transmission); Océane Neyla of the York University Graduate Students’ Association’s BDS committee (boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign); Somar Abuaziza of the York Federation of Students’ Hands off Our Education campaign (against Bill 33); Suzanne Narain of Jane Finch Action Against Poverty; and Talisha Ramsaroop of the Community Engagement Centre @ YorkU.
Students were able to become familiar with some of the campaigns going on in their community and on campus. After hearing each member speak, the attendees broke off into groups to discuss each theme. They then regrouped, discussed their next steps, and finally ended with dinner.
In a statement by OPIRG, the purpose of the Teach-In was to “bring students, faculty, and community members together to imagine what a university could be.” It was a chance for those already active to sit down, reflect, and strategize. They also added that it was a chance for those who were new to “think and imagine how to change the world.”
OPIRG also stated that this event was the local manifestation of the “Next System Teach-Ins” happening on over a dozen college campuses. Next System Teach-Ins are a series of events organized “locally by local people,” according to nextsystem.org.
These events are being held in several locations across North and South America, from Canada all the way to Argentina. They are being held on over a dozen college campuses, as well as in neighbourhood centres, union halls, and public spaces. For OPIRG, they are ultimately an opportunity to “overcome despair with practical action“ and build ties within and among campuses and local communities.
According to Next System’s official website, Next System hopes the Teach-In processes will prepare the way for the emergence of “Next System Studies” on university and college campuses everywhere; build ties within and among campuses and local communities; and infuse a broad array of next system organizations, campaigns, and projects with energy, ideas and other resources.
For Dani Michie, Executive Director for Change Course, a “youth-led movement ushering in the end of fossil fuel financing,” the Teach-In was an important event for imagining a university that is “democratic, climate-just, and that puts people over profit.”
Their campaign joined the OPIRG Teach-In “because we know that universities should be public institutions that work for people, not profit.” During the event, Change Course also highlighted its fight to “Stop the Zombie Pipeline.” This campaign highlights Change Course’s solidarity with the Gitxsan First Nation, who are resisting the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline on their territories.
With regard to York University, it’s clear that OPIRG and the contributing campaigns think the University is not a factory. Instead, they dream it can become “a democratic university, a university that nurtures just relationships with neighbouring communities, a decolonized university that serves all our relations, [and] a university that helps all to thrive, create, and learn.”
