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Welcome to the EDI-R Office Impact Report | 2024

A message from Dr. Christopher Stuart Taylor, Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism

Christopher Taylor

As the Associate Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, I am honoured to support our institution’s vision of becoming a place where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. I am pleased to present the 2023/24 Impact Report for the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism (EDI-R).  

Our work in EDI-R is grounded in the belief that true innovation and inclusion can only be achieved when all voices are represented, and differences are seen as strengths. The term EDI-R serves both as a brand and an acronym. Reading EDI-R vertically symbolizes that achieving equity requires systems change. Anti-racism is fundamentally about transforming systems. Everything we do in our office is anchored in this approach, ensuring that equity, diversity, and inclusion can flourish. The hyphen may also be viewed as a minus sign. In this interpretation, EDI work also means subtracting racism from the equation. While easier for people to grasp, it doesn't capture the full depth of systems change. This academic year has been one of significant progress, challenges, and opportunities as we continue our commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment. Despite these significant challenges, we celebrated several accomplishments, including the launch of the Menstrual Equity Program, which helps to address barriers related to menstrual health by ensuring free and accessible menstrual products across campus. Additionally, the designation of all-gender washrooms represents another milestone in our efforts to create safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces for individuals of any gender identity or expression. Another notable success was the hosting of the first inaugural Celebrating Black Communities event, held under the empowering theme "You Are Good Enough, Just As You Are."  Hundreds joined us as we celebrated the vibrant and resilient spirit that thrives within our Black communities.

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Our office and the broader community navigated several challenges this year, including addressing and responding to safety concerns on campus, such as the the tragic violence in Hagey Hall, to ensure the well-being of all community members. Additionally, while operating within budgetary limitations and striving to meet the community's diverse needs and expand our initiatives, we assisted in addressing the impact of global events, including protests and encampments, which have local repercussions and influence the campus climate. We are dedicated to building a culture that actively dismantles systemic barriers and promotes equitable opportunities for all. 

As we move forward, my role is to ensure that our EDI-R initiatives are not just statements but are translated into tangible actions that make a lasting impact. This includes expanding EDI-R competency and capacity building and addressing institutional inequities in recruitment, retention, and advancement processes.   We will continue to support the Waterloo at 100 vision of an inclusive community of communities. To accomplish this, we will continue to develop partnerships with diverse communities, both within and outside the institution, to ensure our efforts are inclusive and far-reaching. 

In the upcoming 2024-25 year, the Office of EDI-R is committed to: 

  • Developing strategies to better support and include trans and queer community members within the university. 

  • Collaborating with campus leaders to enact recommendations from the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) and the Scarborough Charter to drive systemic change. 

  • Continuing to provide educational tools and resources to enhance understanding and implementation of equity and anti-racism practices. 

  • Measuring the effectiveness of our initiatives to ensure they meet the intended goals and serve the community effectively. 

We remain dedicated to building trust, raising awareness, and fostering collaboration through focused and intentional outreach and communication efforts. Our vision is to inspire a collective commitment to a more inclusive and equitable future for all University of Waterloo community members. Together, we can create a campus where every individual feels a genuine sense of belonging and where equity, inclusion, and anti-racism are woven into our very fabric.  

I am excited to lead this work and collaborate with all community members to create a more , inclusive, and equitable future for all. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Christopher Stuart Taylor
AVP Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-racism

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In 2023/24, the Office of EDI-R committed to leading and facilitating transformational change throughout the University of Waterloo, anchored by five strategic objectives.

The objectives, along with their respective commitments and initiatives, are outlined in the sections below.