Dear members of the Brescia University College community, local community, and beyond:

We write this letter today with heavy and confused hearts - a sentiment shared by many. The past hours have left us confused over the announcement of Brescia’s plan to integrate into Western University, particularly because of the limited details provided. As we grieve the loss of our campus that stood for the future of bold women, non-binary, and genderfluid folks, we can find comfort in experiencing it together.

When we think of Brescia, so many memories come flooding in. The long treks up the hill, trying to catch our embarrassingly loud breath before we sat in class. The smell of the Mercato out in the courtyard, calling us in for another delicious meal. The unique buildings on campus held special moments just for us, especially the twists and turns in Ursuline Hall. The clubs and teams we joined, the people we connected with, the friends we made. We can still smell, hear, see, and feel these moments, which no one can ever take away from us. We are beyond thankful for the unique opportunities that only Brescia could offer us and how they transformed us into the people we are today.

As an institution, we acknowledge that it was not always the perfect place to be. There were periods of growth and learning that Brescia needed to join us in to welcome folks of all lived experiences, races, ethnicities, cultures, faiths and religions, sexual orientations, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, and their many intersections. Sometimes, the institution let us down, but we would like to acknowledge the folks working hard behind the scenes to push Brescia toward a more inclusive, just, and equitable campus. We are deeply disappointed to see that the legacy of our school that set out to dismantle barriers for equity-denied groups is now joining with an institution well known for its unsafe environment. Being an all-woman, non-binary, and genderfluid school is vital as it provides a place of safety for us to learn how to be in community and use our voices for meaningful change.

We would like to acknowledge the land that Brescia is situated on, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. The land gave us the space to grow our minds, hearts, and connections with those around us, an incredible gift we are deeply grateful for. As a Catholic institution, many of us wished that Brescia would have gone further in its commitments to decolonizing the institution and reconciliation with local First Nations communities. This is not said to erase the vital work done, particularly by Indigenous, Black, and racialized faculty, staff, and community members, that continues to inspire progress, but rather an acknowledgement that there is still much work to be done. We would like to acknowledge the efforts of folks who inspired us to deepen our own (un)learning journeys and commitments to action toward Truth and Reconciliation and a more just and equitable society.

To the professors, faculty, and staff at Brescia, both past and present, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and love. We recognize the countless hours you poured into our educations and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your time and energy. We stand with you during this challenging time and recognize that you deserved to be included in such a monumental decision that drastically alters your lives and job security.

The lack of consultation with faculty, staff, and the student body is inexcusable. Students come to Brescia for many reasons, one of which is to have their voices heard. We encourage there to be a focus on incorporating student voices into Brescia’s action plan moving forward to prevent causing more harm. We are deeply disappointed that those with power chose to write the ending of our school’s legacy in this manner.

To the current Brescia students, you are no less a part of Brescia than those who have passed through the halls. We are a proud alumnae family and send love during this turbulent time. Thank you to those who continue to fight for our community and are already working towards preserving the environment that generations of folks built. We still are, and always will be, a community that shares an unbreakable bond.

To the affiliate community, we will forever be HBK.

It is time to take the lessons and memories we made at Brescia and show the world who we are. We are bold, and we are here to lead. We welcome you, your family, and all of those touched by Brescia to sign this letter as an act of solidarity and community support.

All the love,

Brescia students, past and present