Joanna McGrenere

computer scientist at @UBC_CS and human-computer interaction researcher

[Joanna McGrenere @jmcgrenere]

@LisaLaFlamme_ This is a very sad moment for Canadian broadcasting. @LisaLaFlamme_ is phenomenal by any standard. The "business decision" reeks of gender politics. CTV National News has been my evening go-to broadcast for years. No longer.

[Joanna McGrenere @jmcgrenere]

While outrageous, this was also very predictable (from months ago). We are looking forward to @UBC's plans for effective vaccination status disclosure and rapid testing that will be protecting all the members of the UBC community who are not taking part in parties such as these.

[Minelle Kiirti Mahtani @mminelle]

Tell me again how faculty have nothing to worry about at #UBC with rapid testing procedures in place. I'm so worried about our community cc: @DrKarenBakker @sylvia_a_fuller @jmcgrenere @marktmaclean

[Joanna McGrenere @jmcgrenere]

I know that classrooms of up to 30 students in K-12 may have been relatively low risk last year (although far from transmission free). What experience do we have with lecture halls of 100-500 students who are in their 20s???

[Mark Mac Lean @marktmaclean]

I'd like to see some references to support this assertion. I can believe they exist, but I know many faculty don't believe this statement, and the one way to assure them of its veracity is to provide references, preferably peer-reviewed ones.

[Mark Mac Lean @marktmaclean]

It is time for those responsible in our government (@AnneKangMLA @adriandix @jjhorgan amongst others) to take note that, in spite of any good intentions, the situation in BC's universities has reached a point where a serious reconsideration of the government's approach is needed.

[Joanna McGrenere @jmcgrenere]

After having spent a chunk of the summer trying to collegially advocate for a safe fall return, I too have a deep concerns about the collegial governance at UBC.

[Mark Mac Lean @marktmaclean]

I am concerned about the state of collegial governance at UBC. My concerns extend beyond the Board as the Senates, faculties, and academic departments are, in many ways, more important spaces at the moment given the academic decisions that need to be made now.

[Joanna McGrenere @jmcgrenere]

This thread by @gregork captures my sentiments. While things @UBC are now moving in the right direction, they are coming unconscionably late and still somewhat chaotically. Governance at many levels has let the UBC community down.

[Gregor Kiczales @gregork]

@UBC The vaccine declaration policy is possibly very good news. It depends on the details of what happens if someone doesn’t declare and what happens if someone tests positive.

[Gregor Kiczales @gregork]

I’m not a data scientist, but if one of these students’ younger siblings has the choice between UBC and a similar school next year, what is the likelihood they are going to choose UBC?

[Gregor Kiczales @gregork]

Meanwhile these students are very stressed about what will happen to them. Some are spending large amounts of money to get here via alternate routes. This is real harm to them, that will affect at least their first term if not first year or beyond at UBC.

[Gregor Kiczales @gregork]

In my class we had a detailed plan for this. Four weeks ago. But we have continually had to put that plan on hold so that first the province, then the president, and now the dean can provide leadership on these issues.

[Gregor Kiczales @gregork]

They are asking whether we could make an online learning option available to them. They point out that schools like Waterloo and Toronto did so a while ago.

[Mark Mac Lean @marktmaclean]

On the money.

Thank you for your hard work reporting on the pandemic, Justin.

[Justin McElroy @j_mcelroy]

It's an incredibly stressful time for people, there's also wildfires raging all over the province, and we haven't been given information many other people in Canada have.

Easy to understand why people would like to hear from a premier who hasn't spoken to the public in a month.

[UBC Faculty Association @FacultyUbc]

Today @FacultyUbc updated its recommendations re covid-19 mitigation policies at @UBC--we are now recommending full indoor mask and vaccine mandates. https://t.co/BtkiUAu6C9

[Joanna McGrenere @jmcgrenere]

An important read...

[Mark Mac Lean @marktmaclean]

Mind the Vaccination Gap. Mind the Trust Gap.

A few reflections on some of the questions and concerns about BC return-to-campus plans being raised by members of the UBC community.

https://t.co/nbuWS8gU2a

[UBC Media Relations @UBCNews]

.@ZoologyUBC evolutionary biologist Dr. Sarah Otto (@sarperotto) spoke about preventing the Delta variant from spreading and said B.C. should bring back mandatory masks in public indoor spaces, alongside other measures to minimize spread. via @TheTyee https://t.co/F0rp52fSff

[The Ubyssey | UBC's independent student newspaper @Ubyssey]

The CUFA president emphasized the independence of universities to make decisions around campus health and safety and criticized the Ministry for its “heavy-handed direction” in dictating mask and vaccine policies.
https://t.co/7nBS0yof57

[ZEDI @ZEDI_at_UBC]

Statement from the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of @UBC's Department of Zoology:

[Joanna McGrenere @jmcgrenere]

Some professors at Western say they won't go back into the classroom without mandatory vaccines:
https://t.co/Fzd6Rk0wQo

[Mark Mac Lean @marktmaclean]

In addition to mandating vaccines for some activities, U of T will require all community members—including students, staff, faculty, and librarians—to declare their vaccination status.

Declarations will be anonymous...and...used to inform on-campus health and safety measures.