George Brown College
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

GBC has the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Services office which houses our AODA Coordinator, four human rights advisors, an ASL / English Interpreter for staff and college events; Positive space program (orientations held every academic terms of staff and faculty at GBC to become supportive resource person for students who identify as LGBT; Employment Equity. The Diversity, Equity and Human Rights office Coordinates all diversity training in both classrooms and via our staff development office, as well as providing cross college events on a monthly basis related to diversity, equity and human rights. We have a Diversity, Equity and Human Rights office on each of our three campuses- Casa Loma, St. James and Waterfront.

: The Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Services Office does all sorts of training including: providing culturally sensitive feedback to students; understanding your role as a culturally competent teacher; preparation for international students preparing for job interviews; Speaking My Truth - Toronto book launch 2013; Reflections on Reconciliation and Residential Schools. The Office also provides a range of tools and resources for addressing diversity in the classroom.

As an example of the range of training and activities that the office offers, in 2013 Diversity, Equity & Human Rights Services provided forty classroom presentations for student and employee groups. In the same period the office organized eleven college-wide events. Classroom Workshop Development and Delivery Presentations comprised invitations from faculty needing expertise in Ontario human rights code, and diversity to supplement materials in the curriculum, as well as preventative or remedial measures to deal with concerns or behaviours that were arising in the classroom environment. Classroom presentations included courses in the Construction and Engineering Technologies, Business, Community Services and Early Childhood, International and Immigrant Education, and Preparatory and Liberal Studies. Employee Presentations Several presentations were specifically designed for employee groups for example Practical Nursing faculty, Marketing and Communications staff. The Diversity, Equity and Human Rights office also provided conflict resolution training for support staff and other employees at all three campuses. These three workshops were very well attended by staff and there have been requests for more facilitated skill development related to conflict resolution in the workplace. In addition to general education and training, other diversity awareness initiatives included: Positive Space Orientations;Black History Month Display; Post Card Series~Never Doubt That You Can Change History - You Already Have Film Project ~ “Why is Diversity at GBC Important?”;