Serena Bains
The future of MAiD has the disability community worried
May 24, 2022By: Serena Bains, Peak Associate Content warning: discussions of medical assistance in dying (MAiD), suicidality, ableism, eugenics, anti-Indigenous racism, and self-harm As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, disabled people are not only experiencing an increased prevalence in ableism, but are also facing the increasing threat of Bill C-7. Bill C-7 is an act which amends the criminal code, specifically the section that addresses medical assistance in dying (MAiD). MAiD is where a person “seeks and obtains medical help to end their life.” Bill C-7 has generally been widely criticized for its impacts on disabled and low-income people. Currently, Bill C-7 contains a…
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Access for All advocates for SFU to provide a safer environment proposal in their return-to-campus plan
June 27, 2021Written by: Kelly Chia, Staff Writer SFU released its four-stage reopening plan on May 26, 2021. In stage four, the plan proposes a 80–100% density return to campus for in-person learning. In response, Serena Bains, vice-president university and academic affairs…
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The exploitation of Research Assistants (RAs) by SFU
November 28, 2020By Serena Bains, Staff Writer Research is one of SFU’s three pillars in its strategic vision, resulting in $161 million in income. Research assistants (RAs), a group that primarily consists of graduate students at SFU, conduct much of the day-to-day…
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Universal accessibility doesn’t just benefit those labelled as disabled
November 23, 2020by Serena Bains, Staff Writer Predating my disabilities, I still faced a multitude of inaccessible infrastructure and practices. Whether it’s having to go through a maze to reach the nearest elevator or not being provided the option of closed captioning…
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The EVSCSU and BESU receive eviction notice from School of Environmental Science
November 21, 2020Written by: Serena Bains, Staff Writer The Environmental Science Student Union (EVSCSU) and Bachelor of Environment Student Union (BESU) recently learned of the School of Environmental Science’s plan to repurpose their common room and convert it into a lab space…
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Senate Report: November 2, 2020
November 19, 2020Written by: Serena Bains, Staff Writer SFU reopens some Athletic & Recreation programs During the question period, Senator Colin Percival asked if there were any plans to reopen Athletic & Recreation programs. Vice-President, Academic and Provost pro tem Jonathan Driver…
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Multitasking helps students tune in, not out
November 16, 2020by Serena Bains, Staff Writer Before the pandemic forced us all to watch our professors struggle with technical difficulties through a screen, we were doing so in-person. Even then, I was one of those students who looked like they were…
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Kickstart Disability’s event speakers talk candidly about how disability and ableism affect their art
November 10, 2020By: Serena Bains, Staff Writer Editor’s note: The language used in this piece is at the writer’s discretion as a member of the disabled community but perspectives on identity-first or person-first language vary within the disability community. 10 x 5:…
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Land acknowledgements should reflect actionable commitment by settlers
November 9, 2020by Serena Bains, Staff Writer Land acknowledgements have become more commonly recited in recent years, with many meetings, classes, and emails including whose unceded lands we are currently situated on. In most cases, however, land acknowledgements only serve as a…
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White person shocked to learn about racism for the first time through Instagram infographic
November 2, 2020By: Serena Bains, Staff Writer I just learned that racism existed when I opened Instagram feed the other day. Expecting my feed of custom Starbucks drinks, country music artists, and nothing but Live, Laugh, Love, I instead came across my…
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