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Commitment: We will install opioid overdose emergency kits, which include nasal naloxone, in all residence common areas by mid-August 2024. These emergency kits will be easily accessible in visible public areas, and on every floor or lounge depending on building layouts.

Action: Opioid overdose emergency kits are currently being installed on every floor or lounge in our residence buildings. This work will be complete by end of day on Aug. 31. We’ll share the locations of these kits with residents on move-in day. Additional naloxone kits and training remain available for free on campus as well.

Commitment: We will provide training for all student residence-life staff on the use of overdose emergency kits.

Action: Student residence-life staff received an in-person introduction to the proper use of overdose emergency kits and harm reduction strategies in August. This training will be supplemented throughout the year. Training materials were also added to the online training page for student staff and will continue to be updated throughout the year.

Commitment: We will implement a new Campus Security (CSEC) standard-operating procedure for contacting 911.

Action: The protocol across campus is now a call to 911 first and then to CSEC. If called first, CSEC will collect information and transfer the call to 911, staying on the line until 911 answers. 

Commitment: Campus Security Officers are trained in first aid. We will supplement this training with appropriate in-house programming to ensure best practices in responding to drug overdoses on campus.

Action: Naloxone training, basic life support and oxygen therapy training is underway for CSEC officers. 17 officers have completed this training thus far, with the remaining scheduled to have this done by Sept. 8, 2024. In addition, CSEC has hired a new community safety and training specialist, David Elder, who began his role in August 2024.

Commitment: We will review our protocols for emergency contact notifications.

Action: Updated protocols are expected in September and will be based on recommendations from the provincial working group and advice of our Privacy Office.

Commitment: We will work with emergency services providers and our municipal partners to develop a plan to assist emergency services in locating individuals in distress. This may include the use of a unique address for each building.

Action: In June we met with emergency service providers and municipal partners to review and improve location data sharing on the UVic campus. Upon the advice of emergency service providers, we are installing interior and exterior wayfinding signage throughout our residence buildings. Signage installation in dormitory-style buildings will be complete by the end of September with installation in the remaining residence buildings (cluster, townhomes, apartments, Sinclair House and family housing) complete by the end of October.

Commitment: We will provide education and awareness materials on the emergency-response boxes for all 3,000 students arriving in residence this September.

Action: We will share the locations of opioid emergency kits with residents during their First Community meeting on move-in day. Additional education is offered in online, pre-arrival and in person orientation as referenced below.

Commitment: We will ensure all communications with incoming residence students (online, pre-arrival, and in-person orientation) and the Community Living Handbook are updated to include a new section on harm-reduction and safety supports.

Action: The Community Living Handbook has been updated to include a new section on harm-reduction and safety supports. In addition, our pre-arrival orientation for all new students now includes information on substance use and harm reduction as well as caring for yourself and your community. Campus tours for new UVic students include harm reduction information and our New Student Essentials video series includes reference to harm reduction supports.

Commitment: At the president’s direction, we will conduct an external independent review to ensure that Sidney McIntyre-Starko’s tragic death catalyzes real change that will make campuses safer for students, staff and faculty, here at the ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø and across our province.

Action: UVic has appointed independent reviewer Bob Rich, an accomplished lawyer and highly decorated former Abbotsford Police Chief, to lead an external review. This will include an incident analysis and recommendations to strengthen campus safety at UVic.

Commitment: We will appoint a Special Advisor to convene a panel of experts to provide evidence-based recommendations that will improve institutional systems, processes, communications, training and education with respect to overdose prevention and response. The full report from the Special Advisor will also include the report and recommendations of the independent reviewer and will be provided to me in writing.

Action: Dr. Jennifer White has been appointed as the Special Advisor on Overdose Response and Prevention. White has established a panel of experts and is leading an environmental scan to better understand the range of current harm reduction activities at UVic.

A Campus Overdose Prevention and Response Committee has also been struck to share information, coordinate actions, harmonize policies, training, education and more. Terms of Reference and committee structure are under development.