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Our institution is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all community members.
This page outlines the University of Waterloo's commitments with respect to anti-racism and anti-hate to address all forms of racism and hate, and identify how the University is proactively creating an inclusive post-secondary environment.
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If you have experienced discrimination or hate, we are here to support you and take action. Whether you need assistance, wish to report an incident, or want to deepen your understanding of our commitment to equity and inclusion, this page is your go-to resource for promoting a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus environment.
Understanding your rights
As a student or member of our community, you should be able to learn and thrive in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. Understanding your rights empowers you to advocate for yourself and others while fostering a community built on equity and accountability. Here, we have outlined the key policies, protections, and resources available to help you understand your rights, regarding discrimination and harassment.
Reporting or disclosing racism and hate
Policy 33 - Ethical Behaviour is the University's core anti-racism and anti-hate policy. It defines acceptable conduct and provides an avenue to address instances of unacceptable conduct. Policy 33 outlines the content of required annual reports that will be submitted to the Board of Governors and publicly posted.
Policy 8 - Freedom of Speech
The University expects all members of the community and visitors to respect each individual's right to engage in free speech on university property and during university events without undue interference.
Supports for those who have experienced or witnessed racism or hate
At the University of Waterloo, we have a clear and accessible process for reporting concerns related to harassment, discrimination or other human rights issues. It is designed to ensure that all community members can seek resolution fairly, timely, and confidentially. This system aims to address issues effectively while fostering an environment of accountability and respect for everyone.
Anti-Racism and Equity unit
The Anti-Racism and Equity Unit in the Office of EDI-R is dedicated to addressing and eliminating racism in all its forms within our community. The Unit is committed to promoting fairness and equal opportunities for all members of our community.
Conflict Management Office
The Conflict Management Office provides a variety of services for persons dealing with conflict, human rights issues or workplace harassment.
Accommodations for racial trauma
The University also provides academic accommodations for trauma related to experiences of racism. Accommodations for Racial Trauma outlines the options and support available to help you navigate these challenges.
Student mental health supports
The University of Waterloo recognizes the importance of mental health and well-being for academic and personal success. Through our on-campus support, we offer comprehensive mental health services, including counselling and crisis support.
Employee & family assistance program
Proactively building an inclusive environment
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At UWaterloo, we are committed to fostering a culture of anti-racism, anti-hate, and transformative justice through proactive initiatives that prioritize dialogue, early intervention, and de-escalation.
The office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R)
The office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) aims to drive transformative cultural change by disrupting oppressive systems, dismantling institutional barriers, and embedding anti-racism, anti-hate and equity into its policies, processes, environments, and campus experiences. The office also encourages dialogue, early intervention, and de-escalation to promote a more inclusive and supportive community.
The Anti-Racism and Equity unit
The Anti-Racism and Equity unit focuses on embedding anti-racism and anti-hate principles through an intersectional framework, redesigning systems, addressing racism, and building anti-racism competency by amplifying marginalized voices. The unit also proactively addresses systemic barriers by leading university-wide equity initiatives, providing guidance for integrating equitable practices, and offering individual support for dialogue, early intervention, and de-escalation.
The Education & Outreach unit
The Education and Outreach unit offers customized training modules and workshops. We empower our campus community with the skills and resources needed to build competency and capacity in these crucial areas of equity, anti-racism, anti-hate and transformative justice.
The Policy and Programs unit
The Policy & Programs Unit is dedicated to developing and implementing initiatives that influence systems, policies, procedures, and physical spaces and foster dialogue, early intervention and de-escalation, as well as promote anti-hate and anti-racism across the University of Waterloo.
University Commitments
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President's Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) Report
The University of Waterloo focuses on proactively creating an inclusive postsecondary environment free from discrimination and hate. With the mission of embedding anti-racism into every aspect of campus operations, community engagement, pedagogy, and daily life, the PART Report is one of several measures implemented to address systemic racism and promote equity across the university's campuses. Through extensive consultations with the university community, PART developed 88 recommendations to combat racism in all its forms.
If you need help navigating policies or accessing support, please visit our intake form.
To request a written copy of information on this page, please email the Secretariat.