Strengthen the School of Optometry and Vision Science as a sustainable, diverse and inclusive community.
Objectives
- Nourish a supportive, people-centred culture that fosters a sense of belonging, collective purpose and shared responsibility, including through celebrating individual and collective achievements and sustaining meaningful relationships with alumni, the profession and other partners.
- Promote a positive environment where staff and faculty are supported and engaged and wellness is prioritized.
- Be a sustainable and effective institution, including through the optimal use and planning of human, infrastructural and financial resources to realize the School’s long-term vision of success.
- Nurture a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and decolonization. Ensure these values are reflected in the curriculum, clinical spaces, recruitment and admissions processes, and relationships with community partners and equity-deserving groups.
Printable version
Goal 5: Accomplishments
Teaching cultural safety
Based on research informed by Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations and current practical theories in healthcare curriculum development, cultural safety training has been integrated within the School’s first- and second-year clinical experience courses and third-year patient care courses.
These courses focus on student self-reflection, a critical component of cultural safety training. Over the last several years, the curriculum has gradually been updated to focus on the five key principles of the cultural safety framework:* reflective practice, power differential minimization, engagement and discourse, decolonization and regardful care.
*Ryder et al, 2017
Improved internal communications
A monthly internal newsletter relaunched in October 2023 to help people feel more in the loop with happenings at the School. Initially only sent to faculty, staff and graduate students, the distribution was expanded to OD students in 2024. Part- time clinicians and retirees also receive the newsletter, which enjoys a relatively high average open rate of 66 percent. Informal feedback has indicated people feel better informed. The “kudos” section celebrating people’s accomplishments spotlights the wonderful work of our community.
In addition, SharePoint intranet home pages for faculty, staff and students were reorganized and are being updated more regularly to provide School community members with an easily accessible source of news, information and resources.
Finances
The Canadian post-secondary sector as a whole is facing financial challenges, and the University of Waterloo is no exception, with a structural deficit of $32 million for the 2025 fiscal year (F25; May 1, 2024–April 30, 2025).
The School of Optometry and Vision Science faced a mixed fiscal year:
- School revenue was up 3% over F24.
- Clinic revenue was down 6.7% over F24, largely due to disruptions from the clinic move.
- The long-term trend is increasing clinic revenue – compared to the 2020 fiscal year, F24 revenue was up 31.6%.
- Expenses are down 3.1% over F24 if one-time expenses for the interim clinic are removed.
- Cost control both at the School and the clinic has been strong, with non-salary expenses down 4.8% over F24 and 11.5% over F23 once one-time interim clinic costs are removed.
School revenue in millions
Clinic revenue in millions
Goal 4: In progress
Indigenous admissions pathway
In 2024-25, a new pathway for admissions was created for Indigenous students to reduce barriers. We received feedback that opportunities to shadow optometrists may be limited and fees for the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre could be challenging. Requirements like the minimum Optometry Admission Test score and six terms at a full course load were maintained for students to demonstrate potential for succeess in an academically rigorous program. Our pathway was modelled after a successful initiative by the School of Pharmacy.
A group of optometry students has started a club focused on Indigenous outreach. We are hopeful that we can attract more interest and partners to recruit and develop Indigenous optometrists to serve their nations in the future.
