UBC students launch "Toonies for Rumana Campaign”

A “Toonies for Rumana Campaign” campaign has been launched by UBC students after learning about the recent brutal attack of domestic violence on UBC political science student and Bangladeshi scholar Rumana Monzur.

Thirty science and engineering students studying argumentative and academic writing in English 112 during this summer term were originally set to write a letter to their MP, MLA or the Mayor of Vancouver about the implications of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico for Canadians and Vancouverites.

A newspaper clipping brought in by their instructor Gillian Jerome spurred the class to switch their assignment. Instead, the students have decided to press the Bangladesh government on issues of violence against women and justice.

Each student has purchased a large glass jar that will be placed at the reception desk of an adopted UBC department to collect money for Monzur’s medical, legal and travel expenses. The jars will remain until Sept. 16, 2011.  The funds will then be turned over to the VP Students Office.