The Martlet

Alkis Gerd’son, a business management student at UVic with provincial disability status, is being shown the door of his residence apartment. The university has served Gerd’son with a one-month eviction notice saying they want the apartment vacant by Feb. 28

This isn’t the first time UVic has tried to evict Gerd’son. In August 2008, he was given a month’s notice, but continued to stay in his apartment and pay rent. In November 2009, the university took Gerd’son to court in an attempt to obtain an order of possession for the apartment. UVic submitted that Gerd’son’s tenancy was up when his 2007 to 2008 rental agreement expired, and his payments were going to over-holding charges, not rent.

Supreme Court Justice John Truscott dismissed the order of possession and ordered UVic to pay Gerd’son’s legal expenses. According to Truscott’s decision, Gerd’son had entered into month-to-month tenancy in September 2008.

UVic Communications Officer Patty Pitts said Gerd’son is currently being evicted because he doesn’t meet the course requirements for maintaining residence, since his continuing studies courses are not credit courses.

“He hasn’t met the requirements for quite a long time, but the university has demonstrated compassion and patience in allowing him to remain,” said Pitts.

While Gerd’son is taking one credit course this term, Pitts said that isn’t sufficient to maintain enrollment.

The university is also involved in an ongoing human rights case over whether the original eviction notice was a form of discrimination based on disability. Gerd’son filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal on Dec. 10, 2008 and a hearing is slated to begin on June 1.

Rose Mariana Robb is acting as Gerd’son’s media spokesperson. Robb is also the executive director of Access UVic, the advocacy group for students with disabilities at UVic. She said Gerd’son “wishes to respect the Human Rights Tribunal process and will not be arguing his case in the media.”

Robb noted that the tribunal has scheduled several days in June to hear the complaint.

“This indicates to me that the university may indeed be in the wrong here. At this point, nobody knows,” she said. “I would like to see the university hold off on further action against the student until the tribunal has a chance to hear both sides of the complaint and make its decision.”

But Pitts says that, for now, the university will pursue the eviction.

“The university is certainly aware of the [human rights] complaint, but has made a decision to move forward with attempting to regain the premises and has decided to deal with the complaint separately,” said Pitts.