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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at SFU: Spring term in review
The end of April marks the end of the Spring term at SFU 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 SFU experience.
Here are a few highlights from this last term:
Equity Compass
Launched this month, we are so pleased to share SFU's first institutional equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategic plan. The Equity Compass is a strategic framework outlining the focus for SFU’s institutional EDI work over the next five years (2023-2028) to help build an SFU where all can thrive. It is aligned with the People Plan, a blueprint for transforming the faculty and staff experience at SFU. The Equity Compass upholds all of SFU’s values as noted in What’s Next: the SFU 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 SFU’s 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 RADIUS SFU 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. SFU is incredibly diverse and building awareness of these key dates helps support the wider SFU community.
January: Sexual Assault Awareness Month (Hosted by SVSPO)
February: Black History Month
March 8: International Women's Day
April 22: Inaugural “Honouring Indigenous Students” Powwow
Hosted by the First Nations, Métis & 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 SFU 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 Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) that will allow SFU to intervene on incidents within SFSS that affect students, related to our SFU policies GP 47 (Bullying and Harassment) and GP 18 (Human Rights) as well as GP 44 (Sexual Violence and Misconduct Prevention, Education and Support) 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.
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 recovery by the shíshálh Nation of more unmarked graves at St. Augustine’s 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 SFU Host Nation communities, were forced to attend the St. Augustine’s 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 list of resources.
- SFU Health and Counselling has supports available specifically for Indigenous students.
- Faculty and staff:
- The Employee and Family Assistance Program is available for faculty, staff and their immediate families.
- Community:
- The Indian Residential School Survivors Society has a 24-hour crisis line can be reached at 1-800-721-0066 for those who need immediate support.
- The KUU-US Crisis Line Society 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 First Nations Health Authority 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 SFU. If you would like to share your feedback more directly with the Equity Office team, contact us: edi@sfu.ca