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Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Research of the Month

This month we are featuring research on the impacts of sexism, discrimination, and exclusion on the experience of female learners. New research from Georgia State University explores the differences in gender-based discrimination between STEM and non-STEM programs. Co-author Leah Daigle, a professor in Georgia State’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, says, “If you see an equal number of women and men in your classes, you might think that, by definition, the women are being treated fairly. But that’s not what our study shows. It should be a wake-up call for people to realize that even when people are not in the minority in a group, they can still be at risk for discrimination and harm.”

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Be prepared – tips & resources for spotting and dealing with housing scams

Amid a worsening housing situation, students are increasingly targeted by rental scams. The Community Wellness Team and the Engineering Community Roundtable, using data from the University of Waterloo Special Constables Service, warn of two prevalent scams: Fraudulent Property Rentals, where scammers advertise non-existent or misleading properties and may request personal details, and Fraudulent Renters, where scammers pose as potential tenants, overpay, and ask for a refund. To safeguard against these, students are advised to physically visit properties, thoroughly review contracts, verify renter details, and be wary of overpayment refunds. If affected, students should report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center and local police, and utilize resources like the University of Waterloo Special Constable Services. Emotional support is available through Counselling Services or EmpowerMe Student Care. Students are urged to remain vigilant and consult department student advisors or Wellness contacts for guidance.

Sexual Harrasement
Thursday, October 26, 2023 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Male Allyship - Man vs World (Employees)

By age 18, 1 in 3 women will have experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault. Female students (and employees) in STEM programs experience significantly higher rates of sexism, discrimination, exclusion, and sexual harassment than women in non-STEM disciplines.

According to the Statistics Canada 2019 survey, 71% of students at Canadian postsecondary schools witnessed or experienced unwanted sexualized behaviours in a postsecondary setting—either on campus, or in an off-campus situation that involved students or other people associated with the school. Most of those who had experienced these unwanted behaviours stated that the perpetrators were fellow students. Relatively few students said that the perpetrators were professors and others in positions of authority.

As society learns more about the causes, both direct causes such as breaking consent, and indirect causes like systems that benefit men and blame victims/survivors for what happened to them, it’s important to learn about these causes and how you can contribute to preventing them. It’s not just to show the people around you that you want them to lead a life free of gender-based violence and the many barriers it creates, but it also shows future employers that you’ve invested in equity work – one more way to set your resume apart of the rest of the crowd. Please note: This certificate is available to male identifying participants only.

Sign that says here to help
Monday, October 16, 2023 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00) Monday, November 27, 2023 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Supporting Someone in Distress Workshop

Most of us want to support and show compassion to others, however supporting others can often feel awkward. Being fully present with a person in distress often means having uncomfortable conversations. It can be difficult to know how to provide effective and meaningful support, or useful information that assists the person in accessing help.

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to supporting others, this session will cover a  simple  approach to help you determine what  type of help is needed, some strategies for providing effective support, as well as when and how to refer someone to appropriate  resources. A comprehensive list of resources will be provided.

Sexual Harrasement
Thursday, February 1, 2024 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Male Allyship - The Man Box (Employees)

By age 18, 1 in 3 women will have experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault. Female students (and employees) in STEM programs experience significantly higher rates of sexism, discrimination, exclusion, and sexual harassment than women in non-STEM disciplines.

According to the Statistics Canada 2019 survey, 71% of students at Canadian postsecondary schools witnessed or experienced unwanted sexualized behaviours in a postsecondary setting—either on campus, or in an off-campus situation that involved students or other people associated with the school. Most of those who had experienced these unwanted behaviours stated that the perpetrators were fellow students. Relatively few students said that the perpetrators were professors and others in positions of authority.

As society learns more about the causes, both direct causes such as breaking consent, and indirect causes like systems that benefit men and blame victims/survivors for what happened to them, it’s important to learn about these causes and how you can contribute to preventing them. It’s not just to show the people around you that you want them to lead a life free of gender-based violence and the many barriers it creates, but it also shows future employers that you’ve invested in equity work – one more way to set your resume apart of the rest of the crowd. Please note: This certificate is available to male identifying participants only.

Person in a yellow hazmat suit meditating
Thursday, February 22, 2024 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Protecting Yourself From Stress Workshop (Employees and Post Docs)

During this session, you’ll explore factors that could test your resilience and cause stress. The protective strategies suggested can help protect you from the harmful impacts of stress and enhance your ability to cope when a crisis does occur. Brainstorming options to overcome challenges, taking action when you feel paralyzed by fear or worry, learning from your mistakes, and building a network of support are just some of the protective strategies to consider.

Sexual Harrasement
Friday, February 9, 2024 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Male Allyship - The Continuum of Harm in the Workplace (Employees)

By age 18, 1 in 3 women will have experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault. Female students (and employees) in STEM programs experience significantly higher rates of sexism, discrimination, exclusion, and sexual harassment than women in non-STEM disciplines.

According to the Statistics Canada 2019 survey, 71% of students at Canadian postsecondary schools witnessed or experienced unwanted sexualized behaviours in a postsecondary setting—either on campus, or in an off-campus situation that involved students or other people associated with the school. Most of those who had experienced these unwanted behaviours stated that the perpetrators were fellow students. Relatively few students said that the perpetrators were professors and others in positions of authority.

As society learns more about the causes, both direct causes such as breaking consent, and indirect causes like systems that benefit men and blame victims/survivors for what happened to them, it’s important to learn about these causes and how you can contribute to preventing them. It’s not just to show the people around you that you want them to lead a life free of gender-based violence and the many barriers it creates, but it also shows future employers that you’ve invested in equity work – one more way to set your resume apart of the rest of the crowd. Please note: This certificate is available to male identifying participants only.

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Success is a marathon, not a sprint.

We all start the term running fast. We stay on top of classes, hang out with friends, go to the gym, and minimize our procrastination. We feel excited for a new period in our life; being able to get a fresh start at our goals can be very motivating to work hard towards them. The first 2, maybe 3 weeks of the term are often the best because we can stick with all the ambitious goals we’ve set out for ourselves. We sprint -- and moving fast never felt so good.