To: University of Waterloo students, faculty, and staff
From: James W.E. Rush, vice-president, academic & provost
Date: August 4, 2020
Subject: Organizational review of the Office of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion
Note: This email is for information
I am announcing today that the University of Waterloo will undertake an organizational review of the Office of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (HREI).
As with previous reviews of units and departments at Waterloo, we will engage external experts who will consult with the members of HREI and with interested stakeholder and community members from across campus. The review panel will provide the University with valuable recommendations that will inform the future structure and resourcing of the work done by various portfolios, as well as the leadership profile required.
The current mandate of HREI includes working to bring members of our campus community together to facilitate understanding and address systemic barriers to equity, inclusion, and decolonization through five portfolios:
- Indigenous initiatives,
- equity,
- sexual violence prevention and response,
- conflict management and human rights, and
- education and awareness.
Over the coming weeks we will finalize the mandate and scope of the review, and I look forward to providing additional details as they become available. I want to ensure that the people who are engaged and affected by the work of this office will have an opportunity to participate during the review.
I would like to publicly thank Jean Becker for agreeing to take on the role of interim associate vice-president of HREI while we undertake this review. Her leadership throughout her career, as well as in her role of senior director, indigenous initiatives, gives me full confidence in her ability to provide interim leadership for the important work of the office.
