Pink Shirt Day

On Feb. 23, join us for Pink Shirt Day - when UVic students, staff and faculty wear pink to stand against bullying and harassment. 

Bullying is a pervasive problem in Canada and our campus is no exception. As a community, we can show each other we care by wearing pink on Feb. 23. It’s a small and meaningful gesture that shows everyone at UVic that we stand for kindness.

If you are affected by discrimination, harassment or bullying at UVic, you can reach out to the Office of Equity & Human Rights for advice and support.

Resources & support

Here at UVic, there are resources, training, community-building funds and more to support a more welcoming and inclusive university.

Education & workshops

Bringing in the Bystander: UVic’s bystander intervention training
Open to all students, the Bringing in the Bystander workshop will teach you how to overcome resistance to checking in and intervening when you observe the potential for sexualized violence to occur.

Step in, Speak up
Intended for new-to-UVic students Step in, Speak up training will introduce you to the concepts of pro-social bystander intervention.

Anti-racism education
UVic’s anti-racism education program is open to faculty, staff and students. It addresses ways to intervene and change the intersectional personal and systemic practices that perpetuate racism and other forms of oppression.

Workplace bullying and harassment prevention
There is mandatory workplace bullying and harassment prevention training for all UVic employees. If you’re looking for a refresher, there are quick guides available for staff & faculty and for supervisors.

Funds

Student Life Grants
Students can apply for a Student Life Grant (SLG) to fund initiatives that engage and positively impact the UVic community. The SLG Anti-Racism Supplement supports initiatives that address racism and engage anti-racism strategies on campus.

Faculty and Staff Anti-Racism Initiative (ARI) Grants
Anti-Racism Initiative Grant applications are open annually and for faculty and staff to share their proposals to better embed anti-racist practices in teaching and learning to support the student experience at UVic.

Community-building
The Community Building Fund supports new projects or events at UVic that enhance equity, diversity and inclusion. It’s open to faculty, staff and students and applications can be submitted throughout the year.

Equity Action Plan

We invite you to help shape UVic’s goals and to create action-focused strategies to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism through our Equity Action Planning process.

Mental Health

Support Connect & Student Wellness Centre
SupportConnect is available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support for UVic students. You can also meet with a counsellor, doctor, nurse or spiritual care provider through the Student Wellness Centre.

Employee Family Assistance Program
UVic staff, faculty and dependents can find support through our employee and family assistance program (EFAP). EFAP is a confidential program that includes professional counselling, information and referral services.

About pink shirt day

Pink Shirt Day started in 2007 when a group of highschool students in Nova Scotia wore pink in response to homophobic bullying at their school. Since then, the initiative has taken off, raising more than $2,686,000 to support youth anti-bullying programs in Western Canada and showing people across the country that bullying is not okay.