Discussions with engaged community members have also highlighted areas where immediate action can begin. We have therefore established three implementation teams to begin taking immediate steps in the areas of Black, Indigenous and other racialized peoples Related Programming; Campus Representation; and Race, Culture and Ethnicity Awareness. Read more about each team below.
Another area of urgent importance noted by our community members is the need for a race-based data strategy. The Equity Office has identified that this work is already underway by their Office through their support and leadership of the Equity Data Advisory Group. The objectives of this Advisory Group are to provide guidance on the creation of an institutional equity data strategy.
- Black, Indigenous and Other Racialized Peoples Related Programming Implementation Team
- Campus Representation Implementation Team
- Race, Culture & Ethnicity Awareness Implementation Team
- Equity Data Advisory Group
Black, Indigenous and Other Racialized Peoples Related Programming Implementation Team
Mandate
Beginning immediately, this team will develop programing which introduces students to the black experience (history, culture, art, socio-economic, political and religious) in Canada and the wider world.
Responsibilities*
- Develop programing which introduces students to the black experience (history, culture, art, socio-economic, political and religious) in Canada and the wider world
- Explore new approaches, perspectives, analyses and interdisciplinary techniques as it relates to the black experience
- Enhance existing programming related to the indigenous experience, incorporating indigenous ways of knowing, content, perspective, discourse, and approaches.
* some elements of each working group’s core responsibilities may evolve based on discussion and members’ expertise.
Campus Representation Implementation Team
Mandate
Beginning immediately, this team will develop a plan including how targets related to representation will be established, how targets will be reached, expected timelines, and finally will implement hiring plans.
Responsibilities*
- Review representation on campus.
- Develop and communicate an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) commitment statement, and a commitment to contributing to reconciliation by responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC’s) Calls to Action.
- Develop a strategy for addressing the impact of systemic racism in hiring, retention and recruitment processes that reflects best practice and includes a plan for mandatory anti-racism training for key stakeholders to be identified by this Implementation Team, including selection committees.
- Develop targets and review current state related to representation, with data presented at an aggregate level to ensure individual anonymity.
- Create a campus representation plan for meeting targets and key milestones for the plan.
- Communicate an annual report on progress made toward representation.
* some elements of each working group’s core responsibilities may evolve based on discussion and members’ expertise.
Race, Culture and Ethnicity Awareness Implementation Team
Mandate
Beginning immediately, this team will coordinate and host monthly events over the 2020-21 academic year that promote education, awareness and a deeper understanding of race, culture and ethnicity across campus.
Responsibilities*
- Identify themes, speakers and event program for each monthly event.
- Create promotional and programmatic materials as appropriate to drive attendance and facilitate engagement throughout each event.
- Evaluate success of events through post-event surveys, and overall event engagement (number of attendees, social media engagement etc.), learnings achieved.
- Create mechanisms for reporting and ensure the events reflect the mandate of the Race, Culture and Ethnicity Awareness working group.
* some elements of each working group’s core responsibilities may evolve based on discussion and members’ expertise.
Equity data advisory group
Mandate
The Equity Data Advisory Group’s work aims to provide guidance and advice on:
- the kinds of equity data Waterloo should collect, including race-based data
- the wording of questions and self-identification options to accurately represent diverse identities
- strategies to build a culture of disclosure, where people feel comfortable and safe to self-identify, and
- recommendations to consistently use equity data to inform institutional processes and decision making
Learn more about the Equity Data Advisory Group by visiting the Equity Office’s website.
Last Updated: March 4, 2021