VPAC's commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion & anti-racism
Equity, diversity and inclusion are core values at UVic and form the foundation on which we do our work and interact with others. They are central to our university plans, and we each have a responsibility to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive community.
Much has been done to advance this work at UVic, yet faculty, students and staff continue to face multifaceted systemic barriers. Racism, discrimination and intolerance cannot under any circumstances be overlooked. Words and short-term actions are not enough to bring about systemic change. We must work together to identify and address barriers that impact members of our community. In this regard, VPAC is enhancing its efforts to make UVic a safe and healthy place for everyone.
Advancing the Equity Action Plan
In 2022, UVic launched the Equity Action Plan, intended to create the conditions in which everyone feels a sense of belonging as connected and respected parts of the university community. In developing the plan, Equity and Human Rights worked with leaders, faculty, staff and students using equity-centred design principles and process to co-create five universal goals and targeted actions to address identified barriers to achieving equity.
Here are some examples of how VPAC is advancing the five Equity Action Plan goals.
Equity-centred culture
Academic units must address how new or revised programs promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and whether there are opportunities to include perspectives on decolonization of the curriculum and/or program. IACE is consulted on all program developments and redesigns.
VPAC promotes equity-centred training for faculty and staff, including:
- Indigenous Cultural Acumen Training
- Equity in Decision-Making Processes
- Anti-Racism Awareness Workshops
Faculty and staff are encouraged to decolonize their curriculum and other academic offerings through Indigenous and anti-racism grants.
Relationality and belonging
Supportive Communities provides peer support opportunities for faculty and librarians from marginalized groups.
Student Affairs integrates an anti-oppressive and anti-racist lens into student services and supports the prioritization of voices and perspectives of students from equity-deserving groups.
In consultation with Indigenous communities and leaders, we received permission to name our two new student housing buildings Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ (Cheko’nien House) and Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ (Sngequ House) and are in the process of renaming Lansdowne Residence #1.
Units are encouraged to nominate visiting lecturers for the Distinguished Women Scholars.
Recruitment and retention
Academic units must outline how their hiring priorities and anticipated hiring plan support employment equity during external reviews.
VPAC works closely with Human Resources and Equity and Human Rights to ensure that available tools are used for fair and equitable hiring practices.
The Provost's Advocacy and Activism Award acknowledges and profiles exceptional scholars advancing work in these areas.
We are achieving our student recruitment targets focusing on diversity through K-12 pathway programs like Indigenous Mini U, HighTechU and Science Venture, as well as through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Access and support
VPAC makes experiential learning more affordable by providing funding for students participating in practica or internships outside Victoria and a wage subsidy program for Indigenous co-op student placements with Indigenous community organizations.
UVic prioritizes financial supports for Indigenous students including increasing scholarships and bursaries.
UVic offers the Youth in Care Award for students who spent time in the government care system. Funding assists eligible students with tuition, fees, books and/or living expenses.
Vikes, working with units like CanAssist, has established UVic as a leader in accessible, inclusive athletic and recreational programming, including adapted strength and conditioning, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, blind soccer and inclusive spin classes. Just for Kicks is a volunteer-led, free indoor soccer program for children with special needs.
Institutional accountability
VPAC is supporting the better data project to explore and implement the collection of demographic data. Collecting this data will help in conducting evaluations of the outcomes of the Equity Action Plan.
Equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization elements are built into our accountability and reporting structures, including in academic program reviews.
Equity data is included in several of our annual reports to the Board of Governors, including the Academic Staffing Report, Report on Student Financial Aid, and Enrolment Analysis Report.
