Pride Convergence – Summer Edition, July 31
UBC Alumni and the Equity & Inclusion Office invite UBC LGBT2SQIA+ staff and faculty to the Summer Pride Convergence on July 31.
Meet other members of the UBC LGBT2SQIA+ community, enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and hear from UBC’s new Provost and VP Academic Professor Andrew Szeri.
RSVP to events@equity.ubc.ca
Date: July 31, 2017
Time: 4:30-6:30 PM
Location: Main Floor, Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
UBC named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2017
UBC has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2017. These awards recognize Canadian companies that stand out through their efforts to create inclusive and respectful workplaces.
Why UBC was selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2017:
- UBC offers an Equity Enhancement Fund to support community-based initiatives that enhance equity, diversity, inclusion and cultural understanding at the university.
- UBC hosts an annual “Thrive” week to encourage dialogue and awareness on mental wellbeing and participates in the “Not Myself Today” campaign — additionally, the university offers meditative and mindfulness programs and provides mental health training to faculty representatives.
- In addition to maintaining an on-campus Positive Space campaign for LGBT communities, UBC’s Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice supports CampOUT, a community-based summer leadership camp to help queer, trans and allied youth develop leadership skills and build self-esteem.
Positive Space Training this Spring
The Positive Space Campaign is a campus-wide awareness and visibility initiative to make UBC more welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, trans and queer students, staff, faculty, alumni and allies in all our working, learning and living environments.
It aims to foster a welcoming atmosphere and inclusive, respectful dialogue on campus for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities by identifying spaces where sexual and gender diversity is supported and valued.
Staff, faculty and students in the UBC community can take part in our renewed Positive Space training this spring:
Vancouver campus
- April 21 – 10:00 to 12:00pm, Irving K Barber Learning Centre
- May 16 – 1:00 to 3:00pm, Irving K Barber Learning Centre
Register at http://positivespace.ubc.ca/workshops-vancouver/
Positive Space Workshops (Spring 2017)
The Equity and Inclusion Office is hosting three Positive Space workshops this spring at the Vancouver campus:
- Feb. 23: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- April 21: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- May 16: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Register online at http://positivespace.ubc.ca/workshops-vancouver/.
The Positive Space Campaign is a campus wide awareness and visibility initiative to make UBC more welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, trans and queer students, staff, faculty, alumni and allies in all our working, learning and living environments.
It aims to foster a welcoming atmosphere and inclusive, respectful dialogue on campus for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities by identifying spaces where sexual and gender diversity is supported and valued. Workshops are offered through the Equity and Inclusion Offices at the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
UBC Equity Enhancement Fund 2017: Apply by Feb. 28, 2017
Do you have a bright idea to help make UBC even better, but are unsure how to fund it? The UBC Equity Enhancement Fund can assist.
The fund supports community-based initiatives that enhance equity, diversity, inclusion, and intercultural understanding at UBC.
Small and large project applications are welcome. All student groups, academic or administrative units are invited to apply by February 28, 2017.
Learn more at http://equity.ubc.ca/eef-fund/.
Update to Policy #3 (Discrimination and Harassment)
On Dec. 6, 2016, the Board of Governors approved the amendments to Policy #3 (Discrimination and Harassment).
The amendments to the Policy reflect the change in the BC Human Rights Code by adding “gender identity or expression” to the list of enumerated grounds covered by the Code in section 2.1, and removing “gender identity” and “gender expression” from the list of examples provided as interpreted grounds under the ground of “sex” in section 2.2.
Read more about this policy change at the UBC Equity & Inclusion site.
Inclusive Winter Celebrations at UBC
This winter at UBC, in addition to Christmas, our community is celebrating events and holidays from around the world. Our students, staff and faculty come from many cultural backgrounds and faith identities, and at this time of year, we have an opportunity to celebrate the cultures that make up our UBC community.
Some of the major events at this time of year are beginning in the upcoming weeks, including Hanukkah (Judaism), Yule (Paganism), Mawlid an Nabi (Islam) and Christmas (Christianity) are in just a few weeks’ time. In January, we will see festivities for the Lunar New Year (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist). See the full Days of Significance list to see all the events and celebrations coming up soon.
Ways to Celebrate in the Workplace
At this time of year, there is a great opportunity to celebrate the season together, in a respectful and positive way that includes everyone and can help us all build intercultural understanding.
- Display a multi-cultural calendar in your workplace to raise awareness of important cultural/faith events and holidays throughout the entire year.
- Celebrate all faiths present in your workplace.
- Consider having a New Year’s celebration party instead of a holiday party in December.
- Be flexible with the needs of different staff around faith and/or holiday celebrations.
- In your workplace or at celebration events, bring together decorations and food from the different cultures in your workplace, and encourage staff to share stories about their favourite traditions.
- Be respectful of religious holidays at this time of year when planning events and meetings. Check the Days of Significance calendar for details.
Office Decorations
Here are some tips to make your office decorations inclusive and respectful of all cultures and beliefs:
- Aim to maintain a neutral decor in the front-facing areas of your office
- Ensure your office is accessible and make sure decorations do not prevent or block access to public services.
- Consider how your office might celebrate dates significant to the members of your workplace community. When providing ideas for decorations, you can include Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Solstice as well as Christmas. Refer to the Days of Significance calendar.
- Invite staff from all faith identities to be involved in the office decorating discussion.
- Set an agreed upon limit to the number of days that your office will display decorations, and have a discussion about what other times of year you might want to decorate, in celebration of other events.
- Use the holidays as an opportunity to build community within your office, and with the people your office serves or supports.
If you are feeling excluded as a result of office celebrations, you are encouraged to reach out to a colleague or a supervisor and have a conversation about how you feel and how you would like your culture or beliefs to be included. At UBC we should all feel comfortable to share our culture and beliefs with others. You are welcome to contact the Equity and Inclusion Office or your HR Advisor to discuss.
We hope that this advice provides some suggestions on how to foster community and inclusion at this time of year through encouraging the celebration of our many cultures and faiths on campus.
Links
Considerations On Halloween Costumes
A guest post from the UBC Equity & Inclusion Office
It’s Halloween party season and many UBC employees are planning their costumes for events on and off campus. Halloween is the one time of year when people dress up for fun in costumes – some of us do this to honour or spoof themes of creatures of the night, witches and otherworldly beings, others dress up to reflect prevalent themes in society.
The Equity & Inclusion Office reminds everyone, when making your costume choices, Culture is not a Costume. Let’s keep people’s culture and race out of the costume. Take care not to wear blatantly and unabashedly racist and or sexist costumes. It’s a matter of respect. Do your part to create and sustain a respectful environment wherever you are. Share this message widely on social media and with your unit and in the classroom.
Best wishes for a safe and respectful Halloween.
Religious Holidays at UBC
With UBC’s diverse, international community there are times when administrators may be asked by a student, staff or faculty member for an accommodation for religious observance. Religion is amongst the human rights which UBC has a duty to accommodate under the BC Human Rights Code.
The Equity & Inclusion Office has put together some resources for administrators: Inclusive Practices: Our duty to accommodate for religious observance
- UBC Policy #65: Religious Holidays
- Interfaith Calendars
Sexual Assault Policy Information Sessions: Sept. 20 & Oct. 13 at the Vancouver campus
The UBC community is invited to the Sexual Assault Policy information sessions on Sept. 20 and Oct. 13 at the Vancouver campus. Learn about the proposed policy’s key principles, scope and features, and how to provide written feedback. Sara-Jane Finlay, Associate Vice-President, Equity & Inclusion, and Kimberley Beck, Legal Counsel will provide an overview and answer related questions.
Register for a session at http://equity.ubc.ca/2016/09/07/sexual-assault-policy-info-sessions/.
U Count at UBC: Take the Employment Equity Survey by Sept. 23
U Count at UBC! Remind your employees to complete the Employment Equity Census by Sept. 23, 2016. By completing the Employment Equity survey, you support the university in broadening job opportunities for all employees and UBC treats all current and prospective employees fairly.
Visit http://equity.ubc.ca/employment-equity/ to learn more.
Feedback Requested: Change Room Signage at the New UBC Aquatic Centre
UBC’s new Aquatic Centre will serve the growing residential neighbourhoods on campus, and Aquatic Centre staff are engaging with the aquatic community, pool users and the public as part of the process of developing programming and service levels for the new facility. In collaboration with the UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, the UBC Aquatic Centre is exploring options for signage in the new UBC Aquatic Centre to ensure the Centre is welcoming, respectful and inclusive to all its patrons. Please visit the feedback page to learn more, and to share your feedback on the signage options.
Sexual Assault Policy Consultation Deadline Sept. 30
The UBC community is invited to comment on proposed Policy #131 (Sexual Assault).
The proposed Policy is an important first step in improving UBC’s response to sexual assault. It outlines the key values and principles to which UBC will be held accountable and upon which all future work will be based. It also provides a single source of information on the supports, resources and reporting options currently available at UBC.
In particular, it provides clear direction and a more coordinated approach to help students, staff and faculty get the help and support they need if they have been sexually assaulted or if someone discloses a sexual assault to them. It also clarifies which UBC processes apply when a report of sexual assault is made against a member of the UBC community.
The proposed Policy is one element of UBC’s multi-faceted approach to addressing sexual assault. That approach also includes education and awareness programs, focusing on intervention and prevention.
The proposed Policy is now published online and all members of the University community are encouraged to provide their comments. Please submit feedback to either the Office of the University Counsel at university.counsel@ubc.ca or through this confidential feedback survey by September 30, 2016.
See full information on the policy consultation at http://universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policy-consultation/ and http://equity.ubc.ca/sexual-assault-policy-development/
U Count at UBC – Take the Employment Equity Survey (May 16-27, 2016)
UBC is asking all employees to fill out the Employment Equity census, May 16-27. Learn more at ubc.ca/ucount
About the survey
- The survey takes only a few minutes to complete
- Completing the census is mandatory, although answering all the questions is not
- Individuals can change or update their information at anytime
- Employees can either complete the survey online here: msp.ubc.ca or by paper (available early June)
Why should faculty and staff complete the census?
- It provides valuable data on the composition and diversity of UBC’s workforce
- The data supports the university in setting employment equity goals which can improve its hiring, promotion and retention practices
- High return rates ensure that UBC complies with federal employment equity regulations
- Everyone benefits from a fair and equitable workplace
Confidentiality
- Information from the survey (both online and on paper) is treated in strictest confidence
- Surveys will not be shared with supervisors/managers
- Paper surveys are to be returned in sealed envelopes to the Equity and Inclusion Office for entry
- Responses to this survey will be analyzed only in summary or aggregate form, and will be kept separately from employee records.
How can you help?
- Add the census to your staff meeting agenda and encourage completion by May 27
- Post the U Count at UBC poster in your workplace [download]
- Send a reminder to faculty and staff in your units
If you require more information about the census go to: http://ubc.ca/ucount
Positive Space Workshops this Spring
The Equity and Inclusion Office is hosting three Positive Space workshops this spring at the Vancouver campus:
- Thurs, April 21, 9-12:30pm
- Fri, May 27, 9-12:30pm
- Thurs, June 23, 9-12:30pm
Register online at http://positivespace.ubc.ca/workshops-vancouver/.
The Positive Space Campaign is an initiative intended to help make UBC more receptive to and welcoming of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* (transgender, transsexual, trans-identified), two-spirit, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBT*TQIA+) communities, individuals and issues of sexual and gender diversity on campus.
It aims to foster a welcoming atmosphere and inclusive, respectful dialogue on campus for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities by identifying spaces where sexual and gender diversity is supported and valued.
Reminder About HWIP, Equity Enhancement Workplace Funding Opportunities
We have two reminders about funding opportunities for the workplace:
- Closes April 1: The Equity Enhancement Fund supports community-based initiatives that enhance equity, diversity, inclusion and intercultural understanding at UBC.
- Closes April 15: The Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP) is a fund available to UBC departments and units to support grass-roots activities that promote wellbeing in the workplace.
Complicity and Complexity: Realities of Racism at UBC Conference: March 22
In recognition of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, UBC is hosting the Complicity and Complexity: Realities of Racism at UBC Conference focused on the need for greater literacy and conversation about race and racism on campus.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
9:00am to 4:00pm
Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive
The conference is free and open to the UBC community. You are invited to register for the full day conference or for portions of the day. Seating is limited.
Reminder About Workplace Funding Opportunities
We have two reminders about funding opportunities for the workplace:
- The Equity Enhancement Fund supports community-based initiatives that enhance equity, diversity, inclusion and intercultural understanding at UBC. Applications are due by April 1, 2016.
- The Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP) is a fund available to UBC departments and units to support grass-roots activities that promote wellbeing in the workplace. Applications close on April 15, 2016.
UBC Named One of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers 2016
UBC has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2016, as ranked by Mediacorp Canada Inc. This prestigious contest rewards Canadian companies that stand out through their efforts to create diverse, inclusive workplaces.
Why UBC was selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers 2016:
- UBC organizes an annual Gender Diversity in Leadership Forum to connect female faculty members to leaders in their faculty as well as within the university, and maintains a Leadership Advisory Group, responsible for expanding existing leadership opportunities at UBC and increasing diversity in related succession pipelines
- UBC offers an Equity Enhancement Fund to help promote initiatives that contribute significantly to the enhancement of equity and diversity at the university — funds of up to $25,000 per project are available at the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses
- UBC appointed a Director of Intercultural Understanding Strategy Development to help develop a framework for advancing UBC’s commitment to intercultural understanding, which acknowledges the existing and growing diversity of the university’s student body, faculty, and staff — as part of this initiative UBC conducted interviews with faculty and staff and organized student focus groups in order to identify barriers to intercultural understanding on campus
Apply for the 2016 Equity Enhancement Fund
Do you have a great idea to help make UBC a better campus? Apply for funding from the UBC Equity Enhancement Fund.
The Equity Enhancement Fund supports community-based initiatives that enhance equity, diversity, inclusion and intercultural understanding at UBC. The 2016 call for proposals is now open and applications are due by April 1, 2016.
Proposals should demonstrate benefits to the representation or experiences of historically disadvantaged groups within the UBC community.
- More information on the 2016 Equity Enhancement Fund.
In 2015, 19 groups received funding for the fund (14 from the Vancouver campus, and five from the Okanagan campus).
A sample of this year’s projects include:
- Race Literacies: A Black Canadian Speakers Series organized by Faculty of Education Professors Annette Henry and Handel Wright; the next event features Professors Malinda Smith and David Austin on March 1 at the Liu Institute for Global Issues.
- Mental Health First Aid training is being offered to UBC faculty and staff through an initiative by Human Resources’ Health, Wellbeing and Benefits, and Student Development Services. The goal of Mental Health First Aid training is to improve mental health literacy. If you are interested in attending a training session please contact hambler@ubc.ca at Student Development & Services.
- 2nd Annual Nehiyopasquaitsimowan Powwow at UBC, which will takes place at the AMS Student Nest on March 26. Last year’s event attracted hundreds of participants from across Canada and the US to share Indigenous cultural practices.
All academic or administrative units are invited to apply for funding. Student groups as well as other faculty and staff groups are also invited to submit proposals through their respective leadership.
Applications are accepted for a broad range of funding up to a maximum of $25,000. Preference is given to proposals that demonstrate some matching financial contributions from partners and are for projects that have the potential to be self-sustaining. Separate funding is available for the Okanagan and Vancouver campus.
- Read about previous fund recipients