Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 59.32
Liaison Lindsay Walker
Submission Date Oct. 14, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Humber College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 3.00 Lindsay Walker
Sustainability Manager
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a publicly posted non-discrimination statement? :
Yes

The non-discrimination statement, including the website URL where the policy is publicly accessible:

The Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning and the University of Guelph-Humber (hereafter referred to as “Humber” or “the College”) has the right, as well as the legal and moral responsibility, to ensure that all its members are treated fairly, equitably, and respectfully, in order to provide a learning, living and working environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. This policy outlines Humber’s position related to acceptable and unacceptable behavior with respect to human rights and the responsibilities of the College, students and employees.

http://www.humber.ca/policies/human-rights-policy


Does the institution have a discrimination response protocol or committee (sometimes called a bias response team) to respond to and support those who have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination or hate crime?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team (including examples of actions taken during the previous three years):

o Our process is to inform students of their options for recourse, often referring them to Human Rights, Equity and Diversity office.
o Should they choose not to proceed with that route, we may refer them to counselling, or other community organizations that can offer ongoing support related to the particular issue they are facing. Example: student needing refugee application assistance on the basis of persecution for sexual orientation is referred to refugee and newcomer services.
o Student conduct is another option if there is an incident involving another student, and is directed to our Office of Student Conduct.

Human Rights Policy: http://www.humber.ca/policies/human-rights-policy
Human Rights Complaint Resolution Procedures: http://www.humber.ca/policies/procedures/human-rights-complaint-resolution-procedures-0


Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit students from underrepresented groups?:
No

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit staff from underrepresented groups?:
No

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit faculty from underrepresented groups?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs to recruit students, staff and/or faculty from underrepresented groups:

The Educational Advisor visits each of the five Humber Community Employment Centre’s each week to provide advising services for community members looking to return to post-secondary education. The Education Advisor is knowledgeable about issues concerning immigrants and second-career individuals and is familiar with the programs and courses available full-time and part-time at Humber College.

Humber runs annual advertisements in several community journals and our Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Diversity send all of Humber's job postings to a list-serve that include diverse organizations and underrepresented groups.


Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs to support students from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support faculty from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support students, staff and/or faculty from underrepresented groups:

Humber's Diversity Committee (described in PA-4) promotes leadership, innovation, collaboration and information sharing on all matters relating Employment Equity and Diversity within the college. The committee works within the college to increase representation many underrepresented groups within its faculty and staff. More information about the support for related to faculty and staff specifically is noted in the committee description of PA-4.

Counselling, peer tutoring and academic support services are available and free to all Humber students. Specific programs are in place to support the success and retention of aboriginal students, students with disabilities and LGBTQ students.

Humber's Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Diversity supports the Humber's Student Federation with training that provides the skills necessary to meet the needs of the LGTBQ community within the student body.

Humber's First Year Experience (FYE) program has a cohort for first generation students. More information can be found here: http://www.humber.ca/student-life/fye/supports-services/first-in-family

Humber's LGBTQ+ Resource Centre offers drop in for students to connect with one another and build those relationships for peer support, particularly as it relates to issues around sexual orientation and gender identity. The LGBTQ+ Resource Centre works to provide a safer space for LGBTQ+ students to connect with one another and build community. We offer resources and refer students to programs and services on and off campus that will aid in their success and overall health and well-being. We strive to create opportunities for students to develop a sense of belonging within the larger Humber community by promoting visibility and providing support.

Humber's LGBTQ+ Resource Centre also:
- refers students in distress to counselling
- don't directly offer academic support, but do often provide information to students seeking to learn more about gender and sexual diversity, either for personal interest or academic reasons
- offer weekly discussion groups in the fall and winter semesters for LGBTQ identified students, we explore a variety of topics that directly impact LGBTQ communities.

The Humber's LGBTQ+ Resource Centre primarily serves students, but everyone is welcome to drop in to the Centre. There is a library and other resources available to all (students, staff or faculty). When the centre is open, there is someone there to speak to and can make referrals as needed.

The Easy Start Transition Program for students with disabilities aims to provide new students with resources and information to assist in transitioning to post-secondary studies at Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber. The program includes interactive opportunities to explore Humber’s services and learn about accessing academic accommodations. Students will also have the opportunity to meet with returning students registered with Accessible Learning Services.
http://www.humber.ca/student-life/swac/accessible-learning/easy-start


Does the institution have training and development programs, teaching fellowships and/or other programs that specifically aim to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
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Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution offer housing options to accommodate the special needs of transgender and transitioning students?:
Yes

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Humber residence offers all gender living options (students opt in with a mandatory question on the residence application) in both suite and single room buildings. All gender 3-piece washrooms are available R building (single rooms).

All-Gender Washrooms North Campus: http://www.humber.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/humber-college-north-campus-main-floorplan.pdf

All-Gender Washrooms Lakeshore Campus East: http://www.humber.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/humber-college-lakeshore-campus-east-floorplan.pdf

All-Gender Washrooms Lakeshore Campus West: http://www.humber.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/humber-college-lakeshore-campus-west-floorplan.pdf

Humber's Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Diversity coordinates the college's employment equity efforts. The plan includes:

-Attending community events and representing Humber college in the GTA community
-Maintaining visibility by advertising in media targeted at under-represented groups, including women, visible minorities, people with disabilities and aboriginal persons.
-Sponsoring children from high-risk communities to attend youth camps
-Hosting an employment open house specifically targeting under-represented groups.
Humber College is also a member of the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education.


Humber residence offers all gender living options (students opt in with a mandatory question on the residence application) in both suite and single room buildings. All gender 3-piece washrooms are available R building (single rooms).

All-Gender Washrooms North Campus: http://www.humber.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/humber-college-north-campus-main-floorplan.pdf

All-Gender Washrooms Lakeshore Campus East: http://www.humber.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/humber-college-lakeshore-campus-east-floorplan.pdf

All-Gender Washrooms Lakeshore Campus West: http://www.humber.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/humber-college-lakeshore-campus-west-floorplan.pdf

Humber's Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Diversity coordinates the college's employment equity efforts. The plan includes:

-Attending community events and representing Humber college in the GTA community
-Maintaining visibility by advertising in media targeted at under-represented groups, including women, visible minorities, people with disabilities and aboriginal persons.
-Sponsoring children from high-risk communities to attend youth camps
-Hosting an employment open house specifically targeting under-represented groups.
Humber College is also a member of the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education.

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.