Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at SFU: February 2024 in Review

SFU continues to work towards a more equitable, diverse and inclusive campus environment for all individuals. Here is a snapshot of what the Equity Office has been up to in February.  

Improving community supports

As the conflict in the Middle East continues, SFU administration has heard feedback from community members on how we support our faculty, staff and students during difficult times. We have been listening and know that we need to continue to take action to co-create an SFU where all feel safe and that we can all be proud of. In recognition that the Equity Compass did not directly address religious inclusion, we have articulated actions underway to address antisemitism, Islamophobia and other intersecting forms of hate and discrimination on campus. Learn more. 

EDI Advisory Council wraps up

After four years of service, the EDI Advisory Council held their last meeting in February. Joy Johnson shared her gratitude to the council for the foundational work to support the development of the VPPEI role and lay the groundwork for the Equity Compass. Council members will continue to support SFU’s EDI work through other institution-wide initiatives such as the EDI Community of Practice and the Accessibility Committee. Many thanks to the members of the Council past and present for their work towards a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where all feel welcome, safe, accepted and valued.

EDI Community of Practice (CoPr) One-Year Anniversary event 

EDI Community of Practice members and guests virtually celebrated the one-year anniversary of the CoPr. Members shared what they learned this past year, how they are putting those learnings into action and the impact their work is making on the SFU community, both at the local and organizational level. Examples included gender affirming supports, a Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) primer for applying lifelong learning leadership and community building as well as a Community Engagement white paper on awareness around power and equity when engaging with community partners. CoPr members continue to make a difference for the SFU community with 2024 priority-setting scheduled for the next CoPr meeting in March. 

Demographics and Diversity Data Survey

SFU is continuing to work towards launching a demographics and diversity data collection in Fall 2024. This month, the Data Taskforce began engagements with key stakeholders, including Indigenous and student groups. To support these discussions, an FAQ page sharing information about the initiative was published. Engagements will continue over the next few months and a Privacy Impact Assessment for the survey is in progress.  

Accessibility update

SFU’s Accessibility Committee, comprised of representatives across the university, is working to put forward an accessibility plan and feedback system to address accessibility needs for the community. This work has put accessibility front and centre at the university and provides a framework for the path forward. This committee directly addresses related action items to support the Equity Compass’ strategic goal of creating formal structures for respect, inclusion and belonging. The committee will be active for three years, during which time it will develop an Accessibility Action Plan (guided by SFU’s Equity Compass) to address barriers for people with disabilities who work, live, teach and learn at SFU. The committee will also enable more formal, proactive engagement pathways. Already, the committee has been involved with initiatives such as the Gondola to ensure the right people are in the room and make more deliberate and thoughtful decisions around accessibility and fostering a strong sense of belonging at SFU. 

If you have feedback on accessibility at SFU that you would like to share with the committee, please submit it here.

DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE  

In February, the university recognized several significant occasions and events. These included: Black History Month and White Cane Week during the first week of February.

Significant days were World Hijab Day (Feb 1), Lunar New Year (February 10) and International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11). On February 14, the Missing Women’s Memorial March took place, February 20 marked World Day of Social Justice and on the 28th, community members wore pink to recognize Pink Shirt Day.

EDI-related supports are available  

SFU is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive community for all. Important work is being undertaken by our Equity Office to ensure that SFU is a safe and welcoming space for all students, faculty and staff, including actively updating and sharing resources for those experiencing antisemitism or Islamophobia. Please see our list of identity-based supports and reach out if you need help. For all other supports, please visit our community supports page.