EQUITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO Mahejabeen Ebrahim Director of Equity 27 March 2014 Women’s rights or religious rights: which come first? A professor believes his university is offering too much religious accommodation. Ontario’s Clarion Call for Putting Diversity to Work March 14, 2014 Minister of Citizenship and Immigration makes the case for why hiring skilled immigrants is essential to business. By Ranjit Bhaskar, Maytree Strategic Plan 2013 Equity • Value human beings ≫ ≫ Respect Recognize dignity and worth • Age, ancestry, colour, race, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity/gender expression, sex and sexual orientation • Full participation ≫ ≫ Inclusion Engaging fully and fairly • Substantive Equality = Equity Strategic Plan 2013 Establishing an Equity Office ≫ ≫ ≫ Vision Structure Plan Strategic Plan 2013 Achieving Excellence in Equity Fostering equitable learning, teaching, working and living environments to advance excellence and innovation at the University of Waterloo Equity benefits all Individuals Society Strategic Plan 2013 University AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO EQUITY Strategic Plan 2013 Equity is about… • Recognition of human diversity • Fostering a culture of respect • Promoting inclusion ≫ ≫ Supportive climate Understand discrimination • Do not withhold/limit access to opportunities, benefits, advantages for some that other members of society enjoy Strategic Plan 2013 Equity is about… continued • Ameliorating the position of those who have been disadvantaged by exclusion Representation ≫ Barrier removal • Creating systems that are inclusive by design ≫ • Accessibility ≫ Accommodations Equity - Everyone has a role in it Strategic Plan 2013 Moving Forward: The Plans • University Strategic Plan ≫ Sound Value Theme • Equity Office Strategic Plan ≫ Role of the Equity Office Engaging and supporting stakeholders Strengthening systems Working for the benefit of stakeholders, the University and society Strategic Plan 2013 Strategic Plan 2013 Strategic Plan 2013