University of B.C. students reject pledge for sexual assault counselling

VANCOUVER – A University of British Columbia undergraduate society at the centre of a frosh week chant that glorified the abuse of underage girls has rejected a pledge to donate $250,000 to expand sexual assault support services at the institution.

The Commerce Undergraduate Society says in a written release that only 245 of 815 participants voted in favour of the financial proposal put forward by the group’s board of directors after a UBC probe found that the pro-rape chant was an oral tradition, and that student leaders should be held accountable for not stopping anyone from using it.

The CUS says while students want to address the issue of sexual violence, they don’t believe a financial contribution is the solution to a safer campus, and that they prefer a more broad-based response that will result in lasting change.

The group did not provide specifics, but the release says student leaders have already completed anti-violence training and will be participating in anti-discrimination training.

The referendum results come in the wake of six reported incidents of sexual assaults on campus that have resulted in heightened security around the school.

The dean of UBC’s Sauder School of Business is expected to respond to the referendum results this afternoon.