Dean Wells issues anti-hate, anti-racism statement

Friday, March 26, 2021

I have been greatly concerned over many months about the increasing levels of discrimination being shown to our Asian community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was intensified last week after the tragic events unfolded in Atlanta. I want to clearly state that Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering has zero-tolerance for hate and racial intolerance of any kind.

The prevalence and persistence of racism and discrimination of any kind is an affront to our whole community, our core values, and our commitment to building an inclusive culture where all people are valued and can thrive. No one should feel unsafe in their community and everyone has a responsibility to respect the safety of our fellow citizens and to call out racist and discriminatory sentiments or actions.

Words matter. They hold immeasurable weight so when we use them we need to think carefully about the impact they will have on other people and the way they will be interpreted. The stories and jokes we choose to tell, and discussions we participate in, paint a compelling vision of what we stand for and support.

As your Dean, I am committed to working alongside allies in our community to ensure everyone feels welcome and that they belong. The Faculty has focused on several immediate initiatives to build a proactive community that demonstrates genuine care, concern, and respect for all members.

We have appointed Mary Robinson as the Associate Dean, Outreach, Equity and Diversity for the Faculty. I have joined CILAR, the Coalition of Innovative Leaders Against Racism with a mandate to create platforms that break down systemic barriers for a truly inclusive future.

We are working closely with the Engineering Society Inclusivity Commissioners to strengthen our frontline understanding of the student experience. We are involved in the update of Policy 33 on Ethical Behaviour, working with the Waterloo Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion Office. The Faculty supports the work of the Presidents Anti-Racism Taskforce.

We launched the Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology PhD Project to support Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Metis) and Black researchers in achieving their rightful place and respected inclusion in academia at the University of Waterloo. An Equity Fund has been established and we are actively building scholarships that will support students who can bring diverse experiences to the Faculty.

Those who are feeling unsafe or have witnessed acts or messages of racist or hate-motivated sentiments, there are immediate resources to safely share your concerns and know that your voice matters:

The greatest strength of the Faculty of Engineering is its people – the faculty, staff and students who make up this community. We are extremely lucky to have a great diversity of backgrounds, languages, cultures, and expertise. This is one of our greatest assets and a characteristic that should be treasured by all of us. We all have a responsibility to create conditions that ensure everyone feels like they belong and are welcome.

Mary Wells