The Northern Pride Centre Society has launched a letter-writing campaign to convince the University of Northern British Columbia's (UNBC) to reverse a decision to reject a request for funding.
After opening a pride centre at the Northern University Student Centre in November to act as a "safe space" for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual students, the society is now seeking $2,000 a semester from UNBC administration to put towards an honorarium for a program director who would act as a volunteer co-ordinator and practicum supervisor and implement a "positive space" campaign at UNBC.
"Though UNBC has made claims to support the Pride Centre, your actions have communicated otherwise," the society said in an open letter to UNBC president George Iwama.
The Pride Centre has been hit with multiple acts of vandalism and theft, according to the letter.
"As an oppressed population, the LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and queer] community requires specific resources in order to meet the general student body at its privileged level," the letter continued.
"In order to fulfill your promises of 'better communication, more equitable education, and responsible recruitment and retention' you must take action towards breaking down some of the barriers that LGBTQ individuals face in accessing higher education."
UNBC spokesperson Rob Van Adrichem said the university does not provide ongoing operating funding to student clubs or organizations.
Rather, he said the groups rely on fees paid to the Northern Undergraduate Student Society by students for such funding, and Northern University Student Centre has "its own processes."
"We have funded groups if they're going to an event or a competition," Van Adrichem said. "The university has some funds that it provides to student organizations on a case-by-case basis.
"But in terms of ongoing operating funding, which is what the Pride Centre is asking for, that is without precedent at the university and we just don't do that."
The NPSC has posted a form letter at www.northernpridesociety.com but supporters are encouraged to write their own letters and sent them to Iwama. Further details can be found at the website by clicking on "letter writing campaign."
