Cape Breton University says it has become aware some students have been using “fraudulent bus passes,” and has issued a warning that includes the threat of possible deportation.
Cape Breton Regional Police confirm they are investigating the matter.
The university comprises mostly international students. An October report from the Association of Atlantic Universities found that this fall, out of about 5,900 total students enrolled at CBU, nearly 4,000 were international students.
In a letter signed by the director of student affairs sent last week, CBU said it had come to their attention that there “has been illegal activity within our student community.”
“Using fraudulent Transit Cape Breton passes is illegal and anyone caught can be arrested, charged and/or deported (if applicable),” the letter read, in bold text.
It went on to say the activity was in direct violation of the university’s student code of conduct.
“Students caught in violation and behaving in such a manner will be subject to sanction as outlined in the Code, including suspension, expulsion, and/or deportation.”
On social media, some questioned whether the approach was too heavy-handed.
Cape Breton University Students’ Union President Damanpreet Singh, who is an international student, said he understands why CBU issued the warning but wasn’t aware that fraudulent bus passes were a problem.
He added that the students’ union, which issues the bus passes in partnership with Transit Cape Breton, is open to discussing changes to the passes’ design to make them harder to counterfeit.
“If an international student is doing (something illegal) and they’re caught, it will ruin their whole life. It will ruin their dreams because they are here for their education but just to save some bucks they are doing some inappropriate things,” said Singh.
“I would say the university just wants to educate them: ‘Do not do that.’ That’s what I received from the letter.”
In an email to Global News, CBU spokesperson Lenore Parsley said the university was informed by Transit Cape Breton about the fake passes, and felt it was necessary to warn students.
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“It is important for all of our students to understand the potential consequences of this type of illegal activity, and so last week we did send an email to our entire student population to educate and inform them on this matter,” she wrote.
“We take concerns from our community partners very seriously and felt the need to address this issue directly with all of our students.”
In its letter to students, CBU said transit drivers will be checking bus passes “more closely” going forward. If they find a fake one, they will be confiscating it and reporting the person to police, the university “and to any other agencies as required in order to take appropriate legal action.”
CBU could not say how many times fraudulent bus passes have been reported, or how likely serious sanctions such as deportation could occur.
A spokesperson for Cape Breton Regional Police said they were recently made aware fake transit passes could be circulating.
“We are investigating to determine whether or not fake passes exist and are being used, and if so, where they are originating,” Desiree Magnus told Global News.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality, which operates the transit system, directed comments back to police, but added that the municipality is “actively working to expand transit service.”
“Ridership counts and revenues are an important part of the funds needed to provide the service,” the municipality’s statement read.
Majority of student population from abroad
CBU has expanded in recent years, as part of an international recruitment campaign.
The Association of Atlantic Universities report found there were 3,952 full-time visa students at CBU in the fall of 2022. That’s compared to 2,358 the year before — a 68 per cent increase.
That growth comes alongside a shortage of learning spaces and housing.
International students at the university have spoken out in recent months about the school’s decision to hold classes off campus at the Cineplex Cinemas in downtown Sydney — about nine kilometres from campus.
As well, CBU recently advised incoming January 2023 students that they must find accommodations before travelling to Canada, and that those who haven’t found housing by Dec. 15 would have to defer.
— with a file from The Canadian Press
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