Virginia Emery, co-chair of the AMS Committee Students Taking responsible initiatives Towards a
Viable environment (STRIVE), re Sukaina Mohsin ali’s drive to improve the earth.
“I think a tree is a very good way to Sukaina because of all her environmental enthusiasm,”
she said. “Trees will be there for quite a while, doing good for the environment on campus.”
The university has approved STRIVE’s initiative to plant a tree in honour of ali, a first-year international student from Pakistan who died in her residence room last april. She was an active volunteer with STRIVE last year. STRIVE co-chair Virginia Emery said she knew Ali from her participation in STRIVE events last year.
Emery said a proposal for the tree has been approved by the office of the vice-principal (Academic) but details as to when and where it will be planted haven’t yet been decided. “We know it’s going to
happen, but we’re just not sure when,” she said. “[Physical Plant Services is] obviously waiting for
better weather.” Emery said one possible location STRIVE had considered is West Campus, where Ali lived.
Vice-Principal (Academic) Patrick Deane said Social issues Commissioner allison Williams and of STRIVE approached him wanting to plant a tree in Ali’s memory, but needed the funds to
do so.
“It was an initiative from a group of students and they approached my office about how best to do it,
and we’ve facilitated it,” he said. “It was very much in keeping with Sukaina’s values: she was involved with a group of students concerned with ecological issues.”
Deane said the tree will cost about $5,000 to plant. Deane said he has also been in with Ali’s family regarding the possibility of setting up a fund in her name.
“I’ve been in touch with them and there will be some fund to Sukaina,” he said. “We
haven’t decided yet whether it would be a scholarship or some other kind of award, so we’re looking at the options.”
Possibilities include a special fund istered by the international Centre to international students, or an award for a particular international student.
Deane said he’d like to see a fund set up by September.
—With files from Gillian Wheatley
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