British Columbia Institute of Technology
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), the British Columbia Government and Services Employees' Union (BCGEU) Local 703 Support and Instructional Bargaining Units, the BCIT Faculty and Staff Association and the BCIT Student Association agree that all members of the BCIT community are entitled to work and learn in an environment free from Bullying and Harassment and Discrimination. To that end, these parties:

• Are committed to providing a learning environment where the individual differences of all students and employees are valued and respected.


• Will not condone and will not tolerate any Discrimination, Bullying or Harassing behaviour which undermines the dignity, self-esteem, and productivity of any student or employee.


• Consider Bullying and Harassment and/or Discrimination by any employee or student to be a serious breach of human rights which requires immediate resolution. Such resolution may include disciplinary measures up to and including dismissal or expulsion.

All members of the BCIT community are expected to promote a learning and working environment of mutual trust and respect. Nothing in Policy 7507 or its associated Procedure 7507-PR1, Harassment and Discrimination derogates from the responsibility or the role of managers of BCIT to ensure a work and educational environment that is free from Bullying and Harassment and Discrimination. BCIT is responsible to prevent and remedy situations of Bullying and Harassment and/or Discrimination as they occur.

Policy 7507 Harassment and Discrimination: https://www.bcit.ca/files/pdf/policies/7507.pdf

BCIT is committed to providing a learning and working environment free from discrimination, bullying and harassment. The Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion (RDI) office is a resource to the BCIT community involving issues and concerns relating to discrimination, bullying and harassment and is available to help at all times. RDI follows the response protocol set out in BCIT Procedure 7507-PR1, Harassment & Discrimination. This procedure provides a fair and equitable process for the resolution of complaints of Bullying and Harassment and Discrimination, enabling Bullying and Harassment or Discrimination to be stopped as soon as it occurs. This procedure applies to BCIT students, employees, and contract employees. This procedure can be accessed at https://www.bcit.ca/files/pdf/policies/7507_pr1.pdf.

Managers, supervisors, and instructors have a duty to intervene when they suspect that harassment or discrimination has occurred. Anyone can intervene when they believe harassment or discrimination is occurring. If it is not safe to intervene, or if the individual finds it difficult to intervene, the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office can provide help and support.

BCIT also provides support through the Employee and Family Assistance Program which includes a confidential counselling program for employees at no additional cost. Free and confidential one-on-one counselling is also available to all students through Counselling and Student Development.

Early Assist is a confidential online platform that provides employees and students an opportunity to identify students who may be struggling personally or academically, and offer them appropriate support and services at an early stage. The earlier a student gets connected with appropriate supports, the better chance they have to improve their performance and wellbeing.

BCIT is committed to the safety of every member of its community. As such, we’ve developed resources to help students, faculty, staff and guests become Safety Wise. These include a mobile app, a video series, and this website: https://www.bcit.ca/safety-security/safety-on-campus. Safer walk is a program where anyone can call to have campus security walk with them anywhere on campus and is available 24/7. They will wait with you until your ride comes. https://www.bcit.ca/safety-security/security/safer-walk/

There are emergency telephones on campus so assistance can quickly be summoned. They are found in parking lots, walkways, elevators, and in-house telephones at the Burnaby, Aerospace technology and Downtown campuses. BCIT Security Communications Centres are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer calls for assistance. Emergency telephones can be used to report emergencies, request a safer walk, request first-aid, report suspicious activity, and to request assistance (e.g. for car problems, lost, etc.) https://www.bcit.ca/safety-security/security/emergency-telephones/.

BCIT does not tolerate any form of sexual violence and misconduct and expects all members of the BCIT Community to abide by the provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada and all other applicable laws. BCIT recognizes that each incident of sexual violence and misconduct is unique. We are committed to working with individuals who have experienced sexual violence and misconduct to ensure they are provided with the support and resources that they need. BCIT recognizes the traumatic effects of sexual violence and misconduct and encourages the efforts of individuals to seek support and recover. In 2017, following input from the Institute Community and an extensive review of best practices, BCIT released Institute Policy 7103 – Sexual Violence and Misconduct and Institute Procedure 7103-PR1 – Response to Sexual Violence and Misconduct. More information can be accessed at https://www.bcit.ca/safety-security/safety-on-campus/sexual-violence-misconduct/

Indigenous Programs

Kory Wilson, Kwakwaka’wakw, BCIT’s Executive Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships is one of British Columbia’s best-known advocates for Indigenous education. BCIT had 2,007 Indigenous students enrolled in 2022/23, and Indigeneity is increasingly reflected in the curriculum and teaching practices. A brief description of a few of the programs to recruit Indigenous students are provided below:

• The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program recognizes that Indigenous students are underrepresented in the student population and in the profession of nursing. BSN, in partnership with Indigenous Initiatives, has formed the BSN Indigenization Circle working group. The circle’s vision is “Reconciliation in Action” and this team actively works to promote reconciliation activities for students and faculty. The goal is to indigenize the BSN program by welcoming and working with Indigenous students. By improving how they recruit, support and successfully graduate Indigenous students, as well as recruit and retain Indigenous faculty and staff, they hope to strengthen the program. To encourage and support Indigenous applicants the program has a dedicated admission process with five reserved seats for Indigenous students per intake. More information: https://www.bcit.ca/programs/nursing-bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-full-time-8875bsn/#page3


• BCIT Computing recognizes that Indigenous students are underrepresented in the student population and industry. Preferred candidacy is given to Indigenous students in select full-time computing programs. In partnership with TD Bank and Mastercard, the Computing Department offers bursaries and entrance awards specifically for Indigenous Computing students. Up to $20,000 per year is available in multiple computing programs. More information: https://www.bcit.ca/computing-academic-studies/computing/indigenous-student-support/


• The Bridge Watch Rating program teaches the essential knowledge and skills related to the practice of seamanship, navigation, standards of safe working procedures, and the hazards associated with the marine environment. This program is designed to provide entry-level personnel with base-level knowledge of seamanship to prepare them for a career at sea working on tugboats, ferries or deep sea vessels. The Enhanced Bridge Watch Rating (BWR-E) program is specifically for Indigenous people and women and these underrepresented groups are eligible for subsidized tuition. Steve Perry, Dean, School of Transportation: “The BCIT Bridge Watch Rating program represents a crucial step towards bridging the gap between the marine industry’s need for skilled labour and the shortage of available personnel. By providing new career opportunities for women and Indigenous peoples, this program provides a solution to the labour shortage, and also helps to foster diversity and inclusion in the marine industry. Employers stand to truly benefit from the introduction of diverse perspectives and skill sets, making this program a win-win for all involved.” https://www.bcit.ca/programs/bridge-watch-rating-associate-certificate-full-time-2933acert/#enhanced

Women in Trades

BCIT has a long history of encouraging and supporting women in trades. BCIT offers a 16-week Trades Discovery for Women program for women who are eager to join the industry but want to explore the variety of trade options available. The program is designed to allow participants extensive access to the available trades and technical training at BCIT campuses. These highly practical and relevant training programs prepare participants to successfully enter and complete trades/technical training or seek apprenticeship. Students gain hands-on experience in approximately 15 different trades disciplines. Some examples of activities are: lay out and fabrication, general piping, carpentry framing, welding, wiring and working on mechanical systems in automobiles, aircraft, and heavy equipment. The program includes two weeks of unpaid work experience, partnering education with industry and the community. More information: https://www.bcit.ca/programs/trades-discovery-for-women-associate-certificate-full-time-1190acert/

Immigrant Students

BCIT International actively recruits and provides support for prospective immigrant students. BCIT has a diverse learning community with approximately 3,400 International students in 2022/23. The International Student Center (ISC) is an essential resource for international students and provides a wide range of assistance to and programming for international students. More information on the ISC is available in the following section.

Indigenous Initiatives

Indigenous Initiatives provides a comfortable and welcoming place for students, families and staff through the Indigenous Gathering Place - called Mi Chap Tukw which means “a home away from home”. The hand logo, called Snewayelh (“teachings”), symbolizes the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next and it raised in the Coast Salish welcome gesture. Through cultural and educational activities, Mi Chap Tukw creates a sense of inclusion and belonging for Indigenous students. Students and staff across BCIT are invited to participate in ceremonies celebrating the diversity and richness of the Indigenous culture.

Indigenous Initiatives provides the following services to Indigenous students:

• Referrals to other BCIT departments and the wider community.


• Free computer, fax, telephone and photocopy access.


• A wide range of scholarships, awards, bursaries, and financial aid for Indigenous students. Support for application is available including a funding application checklist.


• Student lounge at the Indigenous Gathering Place. There is access to a full kitchen and coffee is always on.


• Indigenous peer to peer mentorship - an Indigenous peer mentor is a guide and a knowledgeable resource that assists fellow students (Indigenous mentee) in developing strategies to succeed in their post-secondary education. Check out the video at: https://youtu.be/49BCc6FJEK8 for more information. 

Accessibility Services

BCIT is committed to providing assistance to all its students with permanent or temporary disabilities and mental conditions. Accessibility Services addresses the barriers that limit their academic success, through accommodations, services, and disability-related information and resources to maximize their learning opportunities.

Accessibility Services can help to accommodate a wide variety of needs including:

• Exam and program accommodations


• Adaptive technology and ergonomic aids


• Note-taking, scribes, readers


• Funding and grant information


• Alternative format textbooks


• Learning strategies support


• Interpreting or transcribing


• Campus orientation and access to designated parking

International Student Centre

BCIT is committed to making the transition to Metro Vancouver and BCIT as simple and stress-free as possible for international students. The International Student Centre offers many resources, including information on:

• International orientation for new students


• Supporting and advocating for international students in the community


• Peer mentoring


• Study and work permits


• Info sessions, workshops and special events specifically designed for international students


• Working in Canada


• Medical insurance Resources are available online or in person at both the Burnaby and Downtown campuses.

Gender-Neutral Bathrooms

Every individual at BCIT has the right to use whichever washroom or changeroom they are most comfortable with based on their gender identity, regardless of their sex-assigned-at-birth. This includes facilities designated as “male”, “female” and “all-gender” (sometimes identified with a picture of what is in the facility, e.g., toilet, instead of words or icons describing who the space is for). If questioned about selection of facilities individuals are not required to justify or defend their choice. They may choose to say, “I’m in the right place.”

In 2021 BCIT, through TransFocus Consulting, Inc., undertook an assessment of all-gender washroom facilities which resulted in a 2022 report “Inclusive Washroom Guidelines for BCIT” (link below). To further recommendations made in the report, BCIT is actively working to increase the number of all-gender washroom facilities as a part of the commitment to equity and inclusion for all campus users. BCIT wants to create a campus environment that is modern, welcoming, and where no one is excluded from essential facilities. Learn more about these efforts and access and view a map of existing all-gender washroom locations and planned upgrades: https://www.bcit.ca/facilities/campus-planning/current-initiatives/all-gender-washroom-upgrades/

The 2022 report includes a washroom inventory by building in Appendix A: https://www.bcit.ca/files/respect/inclusive_washroom_guidelines_for_bcit.pdf

Gender Inclusive Housing

BCIT has gender inclusive housing with almost all suites gender inclusive. Rooms are not assigned based on gender with all genders sharing all floors and common spaces. All of the bathrooms and showers are single stall/single person use only and there are no shared bedrooms. Room assignments are made through self-identified gender for gender specific floors and this is explicitly stated on the applications. Applications have been updated so that they do not reflect only binary gender identities. Resident Assistant training includes a unit on gender diversity and Housing office staff also have this training. It is important to note that BCIT residences are shared accommodations, which may be a barrier for some trans, gender diverse, or Two-Spirit students.