Plan of Action: Campus Housing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism response

• The Facilities Renewal Planning team is updating the spray paint stencilling mainly found in Village 1 and Ron Eydt Village and will be replaced with standard signage based on student feedback to make the buildings more welcoming to all students.
• The Student Development and Residence Life team hosted an international student breakfast during the Winter 2024 reading week.
• The Student Development and Residence Life team continues to engage and take courses on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism
• In spring 2024 the Facilities Renewal Planning team will be replacing the curtain shower doors with actual doors to improve privacy and safety based on the EDI research and recommendations conducted in 2023. 
• In winter 2024 the Facilities Renewal Planning team updated the quad study spaces in Ron Eydt Village to include new furniture and paint based on the EDI research and recommendations conducted in 2023. 

• In fall 2023 the Shared Services team presented their EDI research on exploring Black and Racialized resident experiences living in Campus Housing through a research exhibition to Campus Housing and the larger UWaterloo community. 
• All-gender washrooms in residence language updates to the Campus Housing website.
• Information about how Campus Housing supports religious accommodations was updated on the website. 
• Information about Accessible Housing and how to access supports was added to the main Campus Housing brochure that is handed out during tours and Open Houses. 
• The Village 1 multi-faith space was added to the list of multi-faith rooms on campus. 
• In 2023 the website was updated to include additional information on how room assignments work based on gender identity based on the work of the the Marketing and Occupancy and Case Support teams. 

• In Spring 2022, equity, diversity and inclusion statements were integrated throughout the residence application process.
• The Student Development and Residence Experience (SDRX) team worked with the Equity Specialist in the Student Success Office on an equity-based training program for Fall 2022 and Winter 2023.
• Campus Housing’s Research Analyst launched an EDI-focused research project in fall 2022.
• The Residence Facilities business unit worked with the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism to build a series of custom workshops to build capacity within the frontline staff team for advancing issues of inequity and anti-racism. These workshops were delivered in Fall 2022.
• The Director’s Office reviewed and analyzed the data of the University of Waterloo’s Equity Report from the Equity Office to compare demographic data of the University of Waterloo community to Campus Housing’s residence community to identify any inequities or disproportionalities in the residence experience.
• In Spring 2022, our Maintenance and Security Services team attended a equity, diversity and inclusion workshop to deepen their learning.
• In 2022 the Shared Services team conducted EDI research on exploring Black and Racialized resident experiences living in Campus Housing. 

• In fall 2021, office space in the UW Place Grand Commons and Mackenzie King Village was made exclusively available to support student services such as the Women’s Centre and MATES. 
• Beginning in 2021: each month the Senior Management Team meets to discuss current and future professional development opportunities relating to equity, diversity, inclusion or anti-racism. Through review of equity data and gathering input from campus partners, we are actively working on areas of focus for desired systemic changes within our residence communities. 

Description of the art piece by the artist Abhinav: 

I aimed to create a gradient of art styles and expressions from left to right of the artwork. The middle portion is inspired by “Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo, which serves as a link between human and nature, the explorers versus the opportunities and immeasurable amount of resources that exist in Canada. The artwork is intentionally segmented like an incomplete puzzle, where each puzzle piece’s color is imbued with meaning: blue for melancholy, yellow for joy, pink for anxiety, and orange for elation. It is a metaphor for a collection of human experiences and how they all fall into place at UWaterloo and create something sacred and beautiful. I hope my artwork serves its purpose as a reflection of the collective experience of Canadian and international students at UWaterloo, hence the stylized crowd on the left mingled with the digital connection that binds us with each other. Lastly, I wish to leave the rest of the elements of the artwork open to interpretation and not to untangle them any further. By doing so, I am inviting viewers to find echoes of their own journey in this visual odyssey that celebrates the multifaceted experiences of their lives. 

Abhinav Rajput Biography

Like everybody who encounters this artwork, I am an artist or a student, perhaps a researcher or just an anxious somebody who landed in this beautiful country and this university for the first time ever. Coming from IIT-Delhi as an exchange student, I thrive and strive to help create spaces that amalgamate technology, art, culture, and the essence of being human. Having moved numerous times from one city to another as my father's Air Force career demanded, and transferred from schools repeatedly. The only constant for me has always been my people, my Ma, Pa, my Sister, and my friends. Throughout my creative processes, I aim to entwine my passion for academia with the sensation of existing in a state where curiosity takes precedence over knowledge, but I always try to introduce a hint of personal experiences into my work. Raised in the vibrant tapestry woven by North Indian culture and enriched by the genuine Canadian spirit during my study abroad semester at U of Waterloo, I have learned to cherish the diverse ways of life that dot our planet. I am actively working on broadening my perspective, finding sublimity even in the most mundane, pondering, discussing, learning, and most importantly - aiming to make things a bit more alright somewhere, in some way.  

Giang Tran  

Artist biography:  

Hello, my name’s Giang, and I’m a Global Business & Digital Arts student at the University of Waterloo. For the longest time that I can remember, I let the world of colors speak for my heart and soul. With a strong fondness for the landscape genre, my creations are the medium that carries my introspection, and the broad and incongruent visual and emotional experiences as a Vietnamese international student studying in Canada. I taught myself a number of traditional media such as acrylics, watercolor, and gouache, but I also dabble with digital art and am keen to explore new techniques. I’ve used this passion to inspire others, and my goal is that by intersecting art, technological solutions and collaboration, I can create a positive impact on my surrounding communities.  

Follow me on Instagram at @giangtran_0901 to stay updated with my art-making progress - always eager to connect!  

Art description and name: 

Art name: Unity in motion 

My piece serves as a vibrant testament to the ethos of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through the depiction of an open-space, bustling setting of the Waterloo campus. Divided into three distinct regions—the Ion LRT, school buildings, and the cosmic expanse—it captivates viewers with its rhythmic movement, guiding their gaze from the base to the pinnacle of the composition. At the center of the artwork, the motto "Together we create" stands out. It celebrates Waterloo's innovative spirit and the collaborative ingenuity of its diverse student body. From casual conversations on campus to the boundless opportunities symbolized by radiant sun rays and meandering cosmic tapestries, it highlights the transformative power of authentic and simple human connections and conversations. The representation of students from diverse backgrounds underscores our commitment to fostering a more equitable, diverse and inclusionary community. Architecturally fascinating buildings like the Dana Porter library, Davis Centre, and Engineering 7 infuse the artwork with dynamism and form, while the color palette used is drawn from all faculties, taking advantage of the full spectrum of shades and hues. Through meticulous attention to both narrative and artistic details, the artwork pulsates with vibrancy and life. P.S. And for those with keen eyes, can you try to find the famous Waterloo geese? 

Unity in motion by Giang Tran

Celina He 

Artist Biography:  

Hi! I’m Celina, a digital artist and a Software Engineering student at Waterloo! In my illustrations and designs, I like to use bold and vibrant colours to bring the atmospheric world of my mind to life! I love to tell stories through my art and above all else, have fun with it! I’m often inspired by whatever my current obsession is—whether it be a video game, comic, or novel; I’m truly a fangirl at heart. Find me on Instagram: @yumiihe  

Art Description and name:  

Artwork name: Connections 

This piece symbolizes the unification of diversity in campus housing. Here at Waterloo, we have a mix of students from all around Canada and the globe, each with their individual identities and lived experiences, represented on canvas. Overflowing with a variety of people, hobbies, cultural symbols, and self-expression, this piece signifies that no matter what cultural background, religion, or faculty/program at Waterloo, we can all come together and find our similarities with each other, while also celebrating our differences. 

Connections by Celina He

Hailey Kernohan 

From the artist: 

I found art as a way to express myself and experience freedom throughout my journey with disability.  I love playing with different mediums, styles, and colours.  My favourite subjects are things that make me smile: animals, plants, and fantasy creatures.   

Artist profile: Instagram @haydragonhay 

Art description and name: 

Art name: Cascade 

The flowers in this piece represent joy and hope, while the rainbow colours are a playful nod to the pride flag and all that it represents.  Every flower included is a native wildflower of Ontario, including the Cardinal Flower, Black-eyed Susan, and Trillium.   The message the artist hopes you take away from this is: don’t be afraid to fail, just have fun and explore the world around you!  

Cascade by Hailey Kernohan

Art description and name: 

Artist biography: 

My name is Areeba Shaikh and I am a digital designer based in Kitchener. Currently, I am studying Global Business & Digital Arts (GBDA) at the University of Waterloo, and I am proud to have been featured in Textile Magazine’s Issue II: Spaces. My goal is to craft digital narratives through impactful imagery, and I typically utilize a flat illustration style to achieve this. You can view my original work on my website, at  https://areebans17.myportfolio.com. 

Artwork name: Unity: Collective Creations 

The word "Unity" chosen as the visual focal point for the piece is intricately tied to the themes of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. The diverse hands actively crafting the word symbolizes equitable contributions, while varied materials and differing tools visually emphasize the inclusion of all units, interests, and individuals, showcasing an environment where all people feel empowered to authentically contribute. The artwork's message of anti-racism is conveyed through the hands coming together, rejecting racial divisions and promoting a collective, inclusive community that transcends ethnic backgrounds. The piece, titled “Unity: Collective Creations”, was created in Procreate and edited in Adobe Photoshop.” 

Unity: Collective Creations by Areeba Shaikh