VPAC's commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion & anti-racism
Equity, diversity and inclusion are core values at UVic and form the foundation on which we do our work and interact with others. They are central to our university plans, and we each have a responsibility to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive community.
Much has been done to advance this work at UVic, yet faculty, students and staff continue to face multifaceted systemic barriers. Racism, discrimination and intolerance cannot under any circumstances be overlooked. Words and short-term actions are not enough to bring about systemic change. We must work together to identify and address barriers that impact members of our community. In this regard, VPAC is enhancing its efforts to make UVic a safe and healthy place for everyone.
Advancing the Equity Action Plan
In 2022, UVic launched the Equity Action Plan, intended to create the conditions in which everyone feels a sense of belonging as connected and respected parts of the university community. In developing the plan, Equity and Human Rights worked with leaders, faculty, staff and students using equity-centred design principles and process to co-create five universal goals and targeted actions to address identified barriers to achieving equity.
Here are some examples of how VPAC is advancing the five Equity Action Plan goals.
Equity-centred culture
When submitting requests, academic units must address how new or revised programs promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and whether there are opportunities to include perspectives on decolonization of the curriculum and/or program. IACE is consulted on all program developments and redesigns. Supports committed actions: 6 and 9.
VPAC promotes equity-centred training for faculty and staff, including:
- Indigenous Cultural Acumen Training
- Equity in Decision-Making Processes
- Anti-Racism Awareness Workshops
Supports committed action: 5.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to decolonize their curriculum and other academic offerings through . Supports committed action: 7.
Relationality & belonging
Supportive Communities provides peer support opportunities for faculty and librarians from marginalized groups. Supports committed action: 10.
VPAC's community of practice for chairs and directors launched in 2023 and includes regular community building and information sharing events such as forums. Supports committed action: 10.
Student Affairs integrates an anti-oppressive and anti-racist lens into student services and supports the prioritization of voices and perspectives of students from equity-deserving groups. Supports committed action: 8.
In consultation with Indigenous communities and leaders, we received permission to name our two new student housing buildings Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ (Cheko’nien House) and Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ (Sngequ House) and are in the process of renaming Lansdowne Residence #1. Supports committed action: 3.
Units are encouraged to nominate visiting lecturers for the Distinguished Women Scholars. Supports committed actions: 5 and 6.
A revised policy on academic accommodations (AC1205) was approved by Senate in 2024. This version better aligns with current law and best practices while also advancing the priorities of the Accessibility Plan and Equity Action Plan. Supports committed action: 7.
The annual Provost's Advocacy and Activism Award acknowledges and profiles exceptional scholars and community members advancing work in equity, diversity and inclusion. Supports committed actions: 5 and 6.
Effective May 2024, new course outline guidelines have been adopted which encourage instructors to adopt inclusive and universal deign for learning principles in developing courses where appropriate. Supports committed action: 7.
The VPAC portfolio regularly hosts events that build an inclusive campus and culture, including:
Supports committed action: 4.
Annually, UVic recognizes outstanding teachers and researchers through our REACH Awards. In 2023, VPAC and VPRI revitalized the program and developed two new awards recognizing Indigenous scholarship. Supports committed action: 6.
Recruitment & retention
Academic units must outline how their hiring priorities and anticipated hiring plan support employment equity during external reviews. Supports committed action: 1.
VPAC works closely with Human Resources and Equity and Human Rights to ensure that available tools are used for fair and equitable hiring practices. Supports committed action: 8.
UVic is working to increase the overall number of Indigenous students for undergraduate and graduate programs. Over the past 10 years we have seen a dramatic growth in Indigenous undergraduate and graduate enrolment. K-12 pathway programs, financial supports and IACE cultural supports have played a large part in these increases. Supports committed actions: 2 and 4.
We are working to achieve our student recruitment targets focusing on diversity through K-12 pathway programs like Indigenous Mini U, HighTechU and Science Venture, as well as through scholarships, bursaries and other awards. Supports committed actions: 2 and 4.
UVic plans to offer a new Computing Gateway program at the West Shore campus beginning in 2025/26, which aims to bring new learning opportunities to Southern Vancouver Island residents and improve transition rates from K-12 to post-secondary education. Supports committed actions: 2 and 4.
Access & support
VPAC makes experiential learning more affordable by providing funding for students participating in practica or internships outside Victoria and through a wage subsidy program for Indigenous co-op student placements with Indigenous community organizations. Supports committed action: 2.
UVic prioritizes financial supports for Indigenous students including increasing scholarships and bursaries. Supports committed action: 1.
UVic offers the Youth in Care Award for students who spent time in the government care system. Funding assists eligible students with tuition, fees, books and/or living expenses. Supports committed action: 1.
Vikes, working with units like CanAssist, has established UVic as a leader in accessible, inclusive , including adapted strength and conditioning, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, blind soccer and inclusive spin classes. Just for Kicks is a volunteer-led, free indoor soccer program for children with special needs. Supports committed action: 6.
The is a collaborative program hosted by Student Affairs and student advocacy groups that aims to provide wellness and recreation access in an inclusive, safe, and equitable manner to students. Supports committed action: 6.
All UVic child care centres have been approved as $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres. We continue to explore future expansion supported by the BC Government's Major Capital Child Care Spaces Expansion Program. Supports committed action: 3.
In 2023, co-operative education expended their supports and staffing complement to ensure Indigenous students and students with disabilities can access co-op offerings in an equitable way. Supports committed action: 2.
Institutional accountability
VPAC is supporting the Better Data Project to explore and implement the collection of demographic data. Collecting this data will help in conducting evaluations of the outcomes of the Equity Action Plan. Data from this initiative will support UVic's annual Pay Transparency Report, first published November 2024. Supports committed action: 6.
Equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization elements are built into our accountability and reporting structures, including in academic program reviews. Supports committed action: 3.
Equity data is included in several of our annual reports to the Board of Governors, including the Academic Staffing Report, Report on Student Financial Aid, and Enrolment Analysis Report. Supports committed action: 2.
Equity reporting is included in UVic's submitted annually to the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. Supports committed action: 2.
The project and process to redesign UVic's budget model ensures an equity lens is applied to decision making through committee membership, accountability and transparency. Supports committed action: 3.
