Humber College
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

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.

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

Office of Student Community Standards

Any member of the Humber Community (student, staff or faculty) can contact the Office of Student Community Standards to consult about a matter involving discrimination/bias from a student, without lodging a formal complaint. The Office of Student Community Standards supports campus community development through assistance with conflict resolution, and as needed, investigates complaints using the Code of Student Community Standards. Humber College’s Code of Student Community Standards outlines individual and community expectations regarding student actions and behavior. The Code defines that students are responsible for acting in a manner that respects others and promotes their well-being and safety.

Should members of the Humber community choose not to proceed with this route, the Office of Student Community may refer them to counselling, or other community organizations that offers ongoing support/resources related to the issue they are facing. More information about the Office of Student Community Standards can be found here: https://humber.ca/knowthecode/

Human Rights Compliant Resolution Procedures

Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber (hereafter referred to as “Humber” or “the College”) are also committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive culture in which all members of the College community study, work and live free from discrimination and harassment. 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, working and living environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Through the Human Rights Compliant Resolution Procedures, a protocol is put in place if any acts of discrimination and/or harassment occurs. This procedure is guided by the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) as well as other legislation, policies and collective agreements. The prevention of discrimination and harassment must occur on both the individual and systemic levels to enable an inclusive environment. This procedure outlines the step-by-step process involved in reporting, investigating and resolving harassment and discrimination complaints by members of the College community and the responsibility of Humber College staff in all processes. This Procedure works in conjunction with Humber’s Human Rights Policy. More information on the

Human Rights Complaint Resolution Procedures can be found here: https://humber.ca/legal-and-risk-management/procedures/human-rights-complaint-resolution-procedures.html

Students

The mission of the Community Outreach and Workforce Development (COWD) is to support people in our communities that may not traditionally access education and employment. They do this by collaborating with Humber Schools and departments in partnerships with community agencies and government to offer a broad range of programs and services to assist youth, Aboriginal Peoples, immigrants to Canada, unemployed and underemployed individuals, to enter postsecondary education, apprenticeships and meaningful work opportunities.

Humber’s Youth Transition Program (YTP) is a post-secondary access program that assists local youth, 19-29 to transition successfully to college whether they have completed high school or not. Participants in the free 7-week Youth Transition Program, will have an immersive post-secondary experience that includes advising, mentoring, career exploration, and core academic skill-building. Participants will also be able to take part in a variety of hands-on learning opportunities in areas like Media, Science, Business or Design. Transportation and lunch is provided, as well as a morning snack. The program times are 10-2:30, 3 days a week plus a weekly scheduled advising appointment. Students will also earn a bursary that will waive the cost of their college applications and/or associated testing fees. They will also receive ongoing Humber support in the form of an advisor for up to a year after completing the program. This program is a great transition into Academic Upgrading or applying directly to post-secondary programs.

In 2021, COWD did a project with Blue Door which provided skilled training in the trades for youth who have been homeless. More information can be found here: https://constructgta.ca/support-our-trainees

Academic Staff

Humber’s Inclusive Hiring Initiative includes a division to recruit academic staff from underrepresented groups. With a focus on equity and diversity, the initiative focuses on increasing representation of Indigenous and Black full-time professors. Furthermore, to support Humber’s commitment to addressing equity, diversity and inclusion, the college has engaged in an inclusive hiring strategy to build a diverse faculty team committed to academic excellence. More information can be found here: https://humber.ca/academic-division/inclusive-hiring-initiative

Students
The Humber Equity and Inclusion (EIC) Committee (mentioned in PA 5 ) promotes leadership, innovation, collaboration and information sharing on all matters relating to Equity, Inclusion, and the Employment Equity program within the college. The EIC provides assistance to members of the College community in their roles as effective change agents, strategic planners and leadership developers.

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 First Year Experience (FYE) program has a cohort for first generation students. More information can be found here: https://humber.ca/student-life/fye/

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 Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee’s (GSDC) advances an inclusive, accessible, intersectional, and affirming campus for LGBTQ+ communities at Humber. The GSDC leads social programming and networking opportunities focused for LGBTQ+ staff and faculty at Humber.

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

The BSSE (Black Student Support and Engagement) Program is an equity hub within the department of Student Success and Engagement at Humber College. The BSSE Program seeks to provide students who identify as Black Canadian, Black African, and Black Caribbean (including Black Latinx, Black Indigenous and Black Mixed) with community, resources, and support to help them fully maximize on their campus experience. Our programming is open to students within Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber.

Indigenous Education and Engagement - Indigenous Education & Engagement works in partnership with regional Indigenous communities to ensure Indigenous students are supported and connected to their learning environment- academically, culturally and socially. We assist Indigenous students in making the transition and adjustment to the challenges of college life while creating an awareness and appreciation of Indigenous culture and history in the greater campus community.

Academic & Non-Academic Staff

Employee Resource Group are voluntary, employee-led groups that foster a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned with organizational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives. In 2020, Humber’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Taskforce launched 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group and Black/African Employee Resource Group. 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG) is establishing a scholarship fund for students who self-identify as 2SLGBTQ+ while Black/African Employee Resource Group is underdevelopment.

Humber's Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion 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 College voluntarily complies with the Ontario Employment Equity Act

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 College Gender Diversity Policy:

https://humber.ca/legal-and-risk-management/policies/human-resources/gender-diversity-policy.html

Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee – Terms of Reference
Final WEB GSDC Terms of Reference.pdf (humber.ca)

https://humber.ca/academic-division/inclusive-hiring-initiative#main-content