Dawson College
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

 Dawson College recognizes that all its employees and students are entitled to a respectful and harmonious work and/or study environment free from violence, discrimination, all forms of harassment, and the abuse of power, where respect of the individual’s dignity, physical and psychological integrity are safeguarded. To this end, Dawson College will take all reasonable measures to prevent incidents of violence, discrimination, harassment and the abuse of power, and, when informed of such incidents whether informally or formally in writing, will intervene to address them.
Policy to Stem Violence, discrimination, harassment, and abuse of power (Policy updated every 5-7 years) specifically states:
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/human-resources/policies-procedures/
3.02 Discrimination: Direct, indirect or systemic unfair treatment of a person or class of persons in comparison to others because of race, colour, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, civil status, age except as provided by law, religion, political convictions, language, ethnic or national origin, social condition, a handicap or the use of any means to palliate a handicap which deprives them of equal rights or privileges in the workplace or place of study.
3.03 Discriminatory harassment: Vexatious or contemptuous behaviour that manifests itself by comments, actions or gestures related to race, colour, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, civil status, age, religion, political convictions, language, ethnic or national origin, social condition, a handicap or the use of any means to palliate a handicap that are repetitive, hostile or unwanted. This behaviour affects the individual’s dignity, psychological or physical integrity and leads to a harmful work or study environment for this person.
3.04 Psychological harassment: Vexatious behaviour that manifests itself by comments, actions or gestures that are repetitive, hostile or unwanted. This behaviour affects the individual’s dignity or psychological or physical integrity and leads to a harmful work or study environment for this person.
The management policy also outlines the following: "Effective human resource management recognizes the College’s obligation to respect the individual and collective rights of College employees, notably those that are outlined in the Quebec and Canadian charters of human rights, under laws, regulations and the Quebec Civil Code, and within the collective agreements and personnel policies to which the College is a party."
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/human-resources/policies-procedures/

HR employees receive bias training. When an incident is filed or an employee has a personal problem, Dawson's Employee Assistance Program has a variety of counseling, medical support and/or psychological support mechanisms that help support the employee. This can be assessed by the individual themselves or through a recommendation from a Response Team that has been convened to help with incidents. For example, an incident may influence ability to work, cause high levels of anxiety, cause relationship issues, financial issues or substance abuse. All of these situations can be addressed and help provided through the Response Team.

Document link: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/human-resources/employee-assistance-program/ All employees at Dawson are unionized and each union has its own protocol and committees to review grievances, including any act of discrimination. The College also has an Ombudsman office where students can make reports or go through the Health Services Department. Staff related discrimination claims follow the following protocol listed on the Dawson web site: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/wp-content/external-includes/spdocs/documents/bog-hr-01-stem-violence-discrimination-harassment-and-abuse-of-power.pdf

Dawson follows government guidelines for hiring employees representing underrepresented groups: females, visible minorities, ethnic minorities, or people with particular needs. This is mentioned on job descriptions that are posted publicly. Job applicants that need special accommodations during the interview process are provided with their specific need. 

Dawson has visits to local high schools and invites guidance counsellors to the College to review the support mechanism on site. We have a separate program and facility space for Indigenous students that supports them and guides them through college life. First Peoples' College Transition program: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/journeys/
First Peoples' Activities: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/first-peoples-initiative/
First Peoples' Friendship Centre offers daily activities.
First People's Student Association: The student association is run by students. This is an opportunity to bring activity and awareness to the college.

Update 2024:

1. The Dawson Student Union (DSU) hires a full time person to coordinate "The Hive" - a specific space for students needing gender advocacy and has resources available for staff as well. From the DSU web site:  Advocates for a safer school environment by offering information and education to all students and staff, including the design and facilitation of mandatory workshops surrounding consent to all DSU club executives.
2. Dawson Student Single Parent Support Program: This program aims to provide financial support specifically to full-time Dawson students who are parents and have children under 18 years of age. 
3. Dawson has a Universal Design in learning (UDL) working group that works with students and staff. Its methodology models UDL practice and is a support for diverse equity-deserving staff and faculty. It also offers a yearly multi-day retreat for any staff member that wants a better understanding of how to support fellow employees or students in the classroom.
4. The Dawson Peace Centre has funded yearly workshops (2020-2024) to the Social Services Program students. Workshop series is called "Working with underrepresented populations".
5. EDIA Hiring Processes/Practices current:  Feedback from EDIA working group to HR resulting in reduced the minimum hiring requirements to ensure a more inclusive recruitment process to B.A + experience as a minimum requirement for underrepresented employees.
6. Student Services supports STEM peer-to-peer tutoring for and by underrepresented groups
7. Dawson works daily with the Mirom Home & Services, an organization that has an office and students  within the college. Miriam Home and Services is dedicated to providing the highest quality of educational, residential, vocational and community services to persons with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorders, so that they can reach their potential. It is an organization strives for the highest standards of excellence in clinical practice, research and education.

KIUNA College is an independent First-Peoples College was developed with their specific needs, their worldview, their cultures and their languages (ref.: partnership agreement document 2006). Dawson's responsibility is to help with pedagogical design, quality assurance (adhering to ministerial criteria), facilitating the respect of internal community politics and that of separate First-Peoples groups and their chiefs.

The Dawson College First Peoples’ Centre provides comprehensive services, including academic, para-academic and cultural support, for Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) students. In addition, the First Peoples’ Centre provides access to Indigenous resources, college-wide. The Centre offers a peaceful, culturally sensitive environment where students can learn, study, socialize, and find community. The Dawson First Peoples Centre supports Indigenous students with many programs, including wellness and counseling. 

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Workshops on decolonization and special guest lectures by First Peoples are hosted by the Dawson Peace Centre: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/peace-centre/2018/10/11/onkwakara-cultural-appropriation-with-stephen-puskas/
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/peace-centre/speakers-corner/

 Dawson's Student Accessibility Centre is a significant program offering services at the college that helps over 1000 students. The breakdown of Dawson's support is below:

23-24 Academic Year - Accessibility Centre breakdown of students with special needs:

Total students with accommodations: 1,185

• Students with documentation stating a clear diagnosis: 978
  • Auditory: 1.6%
  • Learning Disability: 23.7%
  • Mental Health (includes Anxiety): 22.2%
  • Motor: 2.9%
  • Neurological (includes ASD and ADHD/ADD): 45.5%
  • Organic: 3.4%
  • Visual: 1.1%
• Diagnosis:
• Students without a clear diagnosis or needing temporary accommodations: 207
• Total tests/exams invigilated: 11,523

G) Students get support from the dawson student assistance program: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/counselling/

H) Menatl Health Policy for all: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/wp-content/external-includes/spdocs/documents/dawson-college-mental-health-policy.pdf

B) Kiuna is a First People's College recognized by the Quebec Education Ministry that Dawson has formally mentored and supported through a signed partnership since its inception in 2006. This agreement is still active in 2024. It was formed and is directed by the Conseil en Education des Premieres Nations (CEPN), representing Quebec's 22 First-peoples groups. 
Kiuna College: https://kiuna-college.com/eng/

https://kiuna-college.com/eng/creative-efforts/

https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/ssap/projects/akwekonskatnemaamuu-journeys-in-leadership/

Creative Collective for Change: 

College-wide activity - A creative call for queer valentines from all lovers

This Valentine’s Day the Creative Collective for Change in collaboration with ETCETERA, the DSU, CLL, AR Cité, Sustainability, The Hive and the Warren G. Flowers gallery are reminding us that LOVE is not always about romance, and that love letters can go a long way in building a better world.

The Dawson Student Union hires a full time person to coordinate "The Hive" - a specific space for students needing gender advocacy and has resources available for staff as well.

Health Care for students (Free Doctor, psychiatrist, nurse visits): https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/health-services/

Walk-in clinics

Indigenous Student Resources: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/indigenous-students-resources/

Student Accessibility Centre: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/student-accessability/

Free Counselling (dawson has 5 full-time counsellors): https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/counselling/

Financial Aid: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/financial-aid/

A) Whistleblower poicy for all: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/wp-content/external-includes/spdocs/documents/bog-corp-02-whistleblower-policy.pdf