I have been a residence fellow at Carleton University for three years. Having worked with two different teams previously in Prescott and Dundas House, I was very excited and slightly nervous to meet my new team in Glengarry.
The new team was personable and approachable, except for one. I had problems with one of my teammates on the very first night of meeting them.
I immediately brought my concerns up to our residence manager. The complaint was dismissed as quickly as it was made.
I never stopped having concerns, first for their mental health and then for mine. I was quickly overwhelmed as my teammate was coming to me to express issues they were having and I couldn’t do much more to help but report it to our residence manager who did not pursue the matter.
I have had similar mental health experiences with students but never with a co-worker or anyone I had to work so closely with.
Mental health concerns turned into safety concerns for myself, my teammates, and the students in the building as the semester progressed. I was threatened verbally, and physically intimidated by a co-worker who kept telling me he would retaliate against anyone that hurt him or the people he cared about.
My complaints went nowhere and I felt lost and like I had nowhere to turn. With my own safety and mental health at risk, I turned to counselling and my teammates for support.
I found out my female co-workers felt the same way. We made a complaint together and our concern was finally addressed.
The threatening co-worker was dismissed with no safety precautions taken for us and we continued to pursue the safety issues.
We went to the department of university safety and signed cease and desist orders but the director of safety, in a meeting with us, explained they were unnecessary.
We went to Equity Services and Student Affairs and found they were helpful when it came to putting pressure on Housing in regards to our safety in both our workplace and living space.
No support came from Housing to protect us so we found support in each other and we often attended counselling.
The nightmare never ended as I missed class because of my own distrust in my environment. I did not feel safe where I lived, worked, and went to school.
I felt the only way to change how similar situations are handled would be to change existing processes, but my requests to work with Housing to amend their policies went unanswered. I tried my hardest to work within the Housing system but I was not given a chance.
I felt the need to get a third party to represent those who wanted to be safe and have their concerns taken seriously.
This was why a residence fellow union was discussed. CUPE 4600 was approached because the union already handles contracts for precarious workers on campus.
Once CUPE dismissed us, I needed to walk away from my job in order to feel safe again.
The department of housing would not give me a voice and CUPE National refused to pay attention to the law that states we are in fact employees of this university.
Before this happened I had intended to become a professional in Residence Life. It was not an easy decision to give up my job and potential career, but I had to put my safety and mental health first.
My only regret is that I am no longer able to support the residence fellows who are unable to voice their concerns for fear of losing their jobs.
