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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at 間眅埶AV: Spring term in review

April 28, 2023

The end of April marks the end of the Spring term at 間眅埶AV and the beginning of (hopefully!) more sunshine. Over the past few months, we have made advancements on our work to create a more equitable and inclusive campus environment for all. Thank you to our faculty members, staff and students for continuing to work with us to transform the 間眅埶AV experience. 

Here are a few highlights from this last term: 

Equity Compass

Launched this month, we are so pleased to share 間眅埶AV's first institutional equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategic plan. The Equity Compass is a strategic framework outlining the focus for 間眅埶AVs institutional EDI work over the next five years (2023-2028) to help build an 間眅埶AV where all can thrive. It is aligned with the People Plan, a blueprint for transforming the faculty and staff experience at 間眅埶AV. The Equity Compass upholds all of 間眅埶AVs values as noted in Whats Next: the 間眅埶AV Strategy but in particular operationalizes the value of equity and belonging. The Equity Compass actions will be worked on at the institutional level, led, supported or coordinated by 間眅埶AVs inaugural Equity Office.

Education and capacity-building

One of the goals of our Equity Compass is to support EDI education, capacity-building activities and access to resources so that EDI becomes an integral component of our community members learning, teaching, research and work. Here are a few examples of this work in action: 

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Launched in December 2022, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Community of Practice (EDI-CoPr) hosts 75 members, including the  design team and administrative support team. Members of the EDI-CoPr from faculties and schools were nominated by their Deans, and staff practitioners were identified through their work in EDI-related spaces, projects, and positions. This work will support the development of faculty, unit and department action plans and build EDI knowledge and capacity across the university. 

AWARENESS-BUILDING CAMPAIGNS AND EVENTS

Each month, we recognize several days of significance across the university. 間眅埶AV is incredibly diverse and building awareness of these key dates helps support the wider 間眅埶AV community. 

January: Sexual Assault Awareness Month (Hosted by SVSPO)

March 8: 

April 22: Inaugural Honouring Indigenous Students Powwow

Hosted by the First Nations, M矇tis & Inuit Student Association (FNMISA), this first pow wow on the mountain was held to celebrate the end of the school year and honour Indigenous students, past and present. Our Equity Office works closely in partnership with Indigenous members of the 間眅埶AV community. We simultaneously answer the call to walk the path of Truth and Reconciliation and restore right relationships with the Host Nations.

 

Accountability, Leadership and Governance

One of our goals of the Equity Compass is to help coordinate EDI-related work across the institution. Here are a few examples: 

Memorandum of Understanding with SFSS

As part of our work to provide EDI support across our university, we are continuing to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with  that will allow 間眅埶AV to intervene on incidents within SFSS that affect students, related to our 間眅埶AV policies  and  as well as  as previously established. We understand that the MOU continues to go through the SFSS review process and we are hopeful we will get to completion during the summer semester.

EDI-related supports 

We recognize that the news cycle and current affairs can be difficult for members of our community. A reminder that supports and services are always available to those who need them.

We also especially recognize the  by the sh穩sh獺lh Nation of more unmarked graves  at St. Augustines Residential School in Sechelt, B.C.

Given the close proximity of Sechelt to the mainland Indigenous communities, we know children from many other nations, including those from 間眅埶AV Host Nation communities, were forced to attend the St. Augustines Residential School while it was open 1905-1975.

The following supports are available for Indigenous students, faculty and staff 

  • Students:
    • The Indigenous Student Centre has created a .
    • 間眅埶AV Health and Counselling has supports available specifically for Indigenous students.
  • Faculty and staff:
  • Community:
    • The  has a 24-hour crisis line can be reached at 1-800-721-0066 for those who need immediate support.
    • The  provides an Indigenous-specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It's toll-free and can be reached at 1-800-588-8717.
    • The  offers support specifically for survivors and families who have been directly impacted by the Indian residential school system.

Share your feedback

By working together across the university, we will help build a safe, diverse, equitable and inclusive 間眅埶AV. If you would like to share your feedback more directly with the Equity Office team, contact us: edi@sfu.ca

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