Laurentian made massive cuts to its programs and staff a year ago as part of its insolvency restructuring
A number of events are taking place between April 11 and 14 to mark the one-year anniversary of massive cuts to Laurentian University’s programs and staff.
Those cuts took place April 12, 2021, on what has become known as “Black Monday,” as part of the insolvency restructuring at Laurentian under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).
The events marking the anniversary are being put on by the Tricultural Committee for University Education at Sudbury, Not-LU Jazz Combo and the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario (CFS-O).
With the theme of “Giigidoo – Paroles – Spoken Word,” members of this provincewide coalition representing concerned community members, faculty, staff and students, are holding several events. COVID-19 protocols will be in place to keep everyone safe. Check out the events below.
A Sacred Fire in honor of those impacted by the CCAA
April 11, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Former faculty member Will Morin will light a sacred fire at the University of Sudbury Sacred Arbour for those who were adversely affected by the terminations and program closures. Dress according to the weather. Limited parking is available at the back of Thorneloe. Members of the public are welcome.
Giigidoo – Paroles – Spoken Word – An Evening of Solidarity
April 11, 7-9 p.m.
A hybrid (live and streamed) event, featuring music by jazz musicians Allan Walsh and Philippe Mathieu as well as poetry, song, monologue, spoken word by members of the university community who will share their experiences since Laurentian’s insolvency touched their lives. This will be followed by a sharing circle. The event will be held at Thorneloe Theatre on the campus of Laurentian University. The public is invited and refreshments will be provided. RSVP at Triculturalcttee2021@gmail.com no later than April 9. This event will also be livestreamed on Facebook at the Save Our Sudbury page.
Student Roundtable – A Way Forward for Students/Un pas vers l’avant pour les étudiant(es)
April 12, 3 p.m.
The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario will host a hybrid in-person/online student roundtable to discuss the impact of privatization of public universities and the path forward for students. All are welcome. RSVP at Triculturalcttee2021@gmail.com for this event no later than April 9.
Performance Not-LU Jazz Combo
April 14, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Oscars Grill (86 Durham Street)
Consisting of former faculty and students affected by Laurentian’s terminations and program closures,‘’Not-LU Jazz Combo’’will entertain, share and mark the sad events which took place last year. Free of charge. Members of the public are welcome.
The Tricultural Committee for University Education at Sudbury is also calling on the public to sign onto the N’Swakamok Reconciliation Declaration: For an Equal and Truthful Trilateral Path to University Restoration at Sudbury, released by the Tricultural Committee for University Education at Sudbury last fall.
The petition is available in both French and English. The Tricultural Committee and CFS-Ontario are calling on Laurentian University’s Administration to stop the CCAA insolvency process and end its obstruction of the Ontario Legislative Assembly’s investigation into the root causes of the path that led to the CCAA.
