Action Plan

Wilfrid Laurier University is a thriving academic community where equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and Indigeneity are part of our core values as a learning institution. We recognize that teaching and learning, and the creation and dissemination of new knowledge, must take place in an institution that recognizes the dignity and value of each and every one of its students, staff and faculty members.

We know that we must make a more concerted effort to realize our goals. In pursuit of these goals we have put an action plan in place for which we hold ourselves accountable. These actions are based on research and consultations recently undertaken within the Laurier community. We are indebted to the work of the authors of the 2019 Being Raced report, Paige Grant, Azka Choudhary, Joey Lee, Kate Harvey, Lauren Burrows, Laura Mae Lindo and Vanessa Oliver, and recognize the contributions of members of the EDI Community of Practice: Ciann Wilson, Eden Hennessey, Lauren Burrows and Humera Javed. Additional priorities have been developed from the Laurier Strategy (2019-2024) consultations and the Employee Engagement Survey (2019).

Two strategic plans are central to Laurier realizing its priorities. Laurier’s Indigenization strategic planning process is underway and the development of an institutional strategy for EDI was launched in fall 2020. A collaborative approach that includes community consultation will be key in developing both plans.

The relationship between Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Indigeneity at Laurier is in the spirit of the Two Row Wampum. They walk side by side, down the same path, in pursuit of partnership and mutuality in pursuit of an inclusive, welcoming and just community.

**Status of Action Plan for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity**
Initiative	Accountability Lead(s)	Timeline and Status
Institution-Wide and Administrative Initiatives
Developing an institutional strategy for EDI aligned with Laurier’s academic mission.	Office of the Associate Vice-President, EDI supported by President’s Cabinet	Implementation: Fall 2020 Completion: Fall 2021 Status: on track
Developing an institutional strategy for Indigenization aligned with Laurier’s academic mission.	Office of the Associate Vice President, Indigenous Initiatives supported by President’s Cabinet, and the Indigenous Education Council	Implementation: in progress; Completion: Fall 2022 Status: progress / some delays
Participating in the federal government’s Dimensions Pilot Program for EDI self-assessment. Learn more about the Dimensions Program at Laurier.	Office of the Associate Vice-President, EDI Human Resources Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CSEDI)	Implementation: in progress Completion: Spring 2022 Status: progress / some delays
Establishing a clear policy definition of racism and an accompanying reporting system of accountability.	Office of the Associate Vice-President, EDI Dean of Students Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CSEDI) Office of Dispute Resolution and Sexual Violence Support Human Resources	Implementation: immeditately Completion: Fall 2021 Status: progress / some delays
Undertaking a review of Special Constable Service with respect to the way the service interacts with Black, Indigenous, and racialized members of the Laurier community and how reports of racism are responded to and addressed.	Vice President, Finance & Administration	Completed Status: read the report
Reviewing Senior Administrator search procedures to further embed equity training and considerations, with the goal of increasing the diversity of university senior leadership.	Office of the Associate Vice-President, EDI Human Resources Provost’s Office	Completed
Implementing a Board of Governors initiative to develop a pool of diverse potential external board members, with the goal of increasing the diversity of Board membership so that it better reflects Laurier’s community.	University Secretariat Governance Committee of the Board of Governors	Implementation: in progress Completion: external pool developed 2020; board renewal beginning 2021 Search: ongoing Status: on track
Student-Focused Initiatives
Reassessing and relaunching student leadership training in core principles of EDI and reconciliation in an anti-racist and anti-colonial framework.	Vice-President, Student Affairs Centre for Student Equity Diversity & Inclusion (CSEDI) Indigenous Initiatives	Implementation: ongoing Completion: Fall 2021 Status: on track
Providing culturally competent counselling services and supports for students, including access to racialized and Indigenous counsellors trained in anti-racist and anti-oppression frameworks.	Vice-President, Student Affairs Deans of Students Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CSEDI) Office of Indigenous Initiatives	Completed
Revising the existing non-academic student code of conduct to address racism directly.	Deans of Students Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CSEDI) Office of the Associate Vice President, EDI	Implementation: in progress Completion: Fall 2021 Status: on track
Providing resource and support spaces for Black, racialized and Indigenous students.	Deans of Students Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CSEDI) Office of Indigenous Initiatives	Status: ongoing
Faculty- and Staff-Focused Initiatives
Including anti-racism training and training on Indigenous ways of knowing and doing in onboarding for all new faculty and staff; providing such training upon request to units and departments; and developing an EDI Certificate Program for staff.	Office of the Associate Vice-President, EDI Human Resources Office of Indigenous Initiatives	Completion: Four Seasons of Reconciliation training and Inclusive Workplace Certificate Program are now in place Status: anti-racism training for new faculty in development
Implementing new equity procedures in the faculty hiring process, as per the WLUFA collective agreement, to support the hiring and retention of diverse faculty.	Office of the Associate Vice-President, EDI Human Resources Faculty Relations	Completed
Implementing equity procedures in the staff and management hiring process to support the hiring and retention of diverse staff.	Human Resources	Completed
Updating the Employee Success Factors to include a focus on competencies related to EDI.	Human Resources	Completed See updated Employee Success Factors
Implementing the Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Initiative through a joint working group with WLUFA, with funding for up to six Indigenous faculty hires.	Provost & Vice-President, Academic Deans of Faculties Office of Indigenous Initiatives	Implementation: Fall 2020 Completion: June 30, 2023 Status: in progress; Inclusive Excellence launched
The recognition of Indigenous knowledge and practice in research and teaching and in Tenure and Promotion Guidelines.	Provost & Vice-President, Academic Office of Indigenous Initiatives	Implementation: in progress Completed: Fall 2021 Status: on track

"Curiosity driven teaching and research, academic freedom and inclusive excellence are the foundations of today’s multiversity."

Barrington Walker, PhD
Associate Vice President
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Professor of History

Vanessa Oliver, Interim Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

E: avpedi@wlu.ca

Action Plan

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