MacEwan University
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

No, we do not have a designated diversity and equity committee or office at MacEwan University, but a variety of disparate University initiatives and services support inclusivity within a civil campus community. These include the operational work done by Student Services via its Student Life’s Services to Students with Disabilities, Wellness and Psychological Services, Student Leadership Development and Community Engagement. Security Services and Human Resources are also involved in the provision of a safe, productive and supportive work/learning environment at MacEwan. Integrated or multidisciplinary teams or committees such as the Student of Concern, the MacEwan Diversity Project, Student Success, Student Participation in Governance Working Group, Student Services Policy Committee, U Solve and others are deeply engaged in issues pertaining to diversity/inclusivity; these inherently support our compliance to legislation pertaining to AB Human Rights. MacEwan’s value pillars watermark us as a whole in having a unified commitment to the development of the “whole” person within a “connected culture”. SAMU leadership is heavily involved in many of these committee and initiatives. http://www.macewan.ca/wcm/ExecutiveandGovernance/BoardofGovernors/UniversityPhilosophyandDirection/index.htm#4 http://www.macewan.ca/wcm/ExecutiveandGovernance/BoardofGovernors/UniversityPhilosophyandDirection/index.htm#7 Student Services Policy Committee: This committee is charged under the authority of the Academic Governance Council of the University with a set of policies that primarily relate to the student experience outside of academics. These currently include: E3001 Student Government, E3101 Student Rights and Responsibilities, E3102 Student Discipline, E3103 Student Appeals, E3206 Recognition of Contribution to Student Life and Student Government, E3400 Students with Disabilities. These policies have a wide impact across an array of services and offices, and have a direct impact on students' lives and experiences at MacEwan University. The committee reviews existing policies and can recommend the creation of new policies so that the institution's policies are responsive to the changing context of society, students' lives and expectations, university vision and planning, legal and legislative compliance, and best practices. These policies speak to the whole university community and act as a tool to operationalize MacEwan University's core values for respect, integrity, citizenship and environmental stewardship. This committee will be merging with the Student Success Committee by June 2015. http://www.macewan.ca/wcm/ExecutiveandGovernance/BoardofGovernors/PolicyManual/index.htm MacEwan University Diversity Project Volunteers can be contacted for support, assistance in navigating other services, or if a student, staff, or faculty member is interested in joining the committee. The MacEwan University Diversity Project aims to bring visibility and resources to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer, questioning, (LGBTTQ) and allied communities. With a growing LGBTTQ student body at MacEwan University they strive to educate university students, staff, and faculty about the community. This group offers initiaves and opportunities, such as the Sticker Campaign, to invite MacEwan University and Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU) employees to show their support of the LGBTTQ community on campus. Those displaying a sticker are committed to offering support, providing information, and directing individuals to other resources. Other Past Events: • Edmonton Pride Festival - June 7, 2014 • InQUEERies to walk in the Edmonton Pride Parade on Saturday, June 7, 2014. • Supporting the InQueeries student club • Diversity training • Classroom Speakers Series • Community mixers SAMU http://samu.ca/programs-services/ http://samu.ca/programs-services/social-wellness/ http://samu.ca/programs-services/clubs/club-listings/

CAFÉ: The Centre for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFÉ) has been running a range of programming that deals directly with cultural competence. They have ongoing offerings for faculty related to Diversity (for example the “(RE)Doing Difference: A New Approach to Equity and Inclusion Workshop Series” which provides opportunities for faculty to engage in discussion and dialogue to identify barriers to inclusive curriculum and pedagogy ) and the cross-cultural classroom (e.g., the “Getting Onto the Same Page: Teaching Academic Integrity Across Cultures” workshop, which provides faculty with insights into defining, understanding, and teaching academic integrity across cultures to ensure international and ESL students succeed and avoid policy violations.) In Fall 2014, CAFÉ will be starting a Faculty Learning Community on Diversity/Difference, as well as one on Internationalization. Global Awareness Week: MacEwan University’s Global Awareness Week is an annual event held during late January-early February. Through a collaboration between MacEwan International and the Students’ Association of MacEwan University a week-long series of activities raises awareness of global issues ranging from human rights, gender equality, and poverty eradication to international peace and environmental sustainability. The goal of the week is to inspire MacEwan University students, faculty and staff to become more active and informed global citizens. The week also serves to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism and to promote dialogue and discovery. Victims of Sexual Violence and Supporters against Violence: http://www.macewan.ca/wcm/StudentServices/MacEwanDiversityProject/Services/index.htm https://www.facebook.com/USOLVE https://www.facebook.com/USOLVE/photos/a.346166528804335.84625.332491810171807/694673330620318/?type=1&theater https://www.facebook.com/USOLVE/photos/a.346166528804335.84625.332491810171807/694673330620318/?type=1&theater Aboriginal Students: The Aboriginal Education Centre offers a diverse range of services, including academic counselling, personal support services, and cultural programming. Cultural activities include an annual feast, Aboriginal Cultural Day, and an Elders-In-Residence program. Aboriginal Elders are invited throughout the year to share their knowledge and traditions through workshops and special sessions. The Centre is a unique community environment where students gather, study, and learn. All are welcome. http://www.macewan.ca/wcm/StudentServices/AboriginalEducationCentre/index.htm http://www.macewan.ca/wcm/StudentServices/AboriginalEducationCentre/EldersinResidence/index.htm http://www.macewan.ca/contribute/groups/public/documents/document/pfw_018990.pdf Disabled Students: http://www.macewan.ca/wcm/StudentServices/ServicestoStudentswithDisabilities/index.htm New Students and First in Family or First Gen Students: https://www.facebook.com/MacEwanUniversity Career Services: https://www.facebook.com/MacEwanUniversityCareerServices https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphcqfaWCkt8LRfH3gzOd943UVsF3rqJV Going Global Educational Series International: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JBgc00FMRM&list=UUFcEBreAYxXJn6D_JMWxp_A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPv6bfUPExE&list=UUFcEBreAYxXJn6D_JMWxp_A Lynda.com: Lynda.com is a library of online training resources and tutorials that are taught by industry experts. The service is available for MacEwan University students, staff, and faculty to access at anytime, anywhere. It offers various resources that relate to developing cultural competence skills, including: - "Communicating Across Cultures" course that teaches the importance of understanding underlying values, beliefs, and history in order to effectively communicate in a cross-cultural business setting. - "Communicating across devices, continents, and cultures" tutorial teaching tips for managing remote teams across continents. - "Appreciating diversity" tutorial teaching how appreciating diversity is key to building relationships and developing emotional intelligence. - "Harnessing diversity" tutorial discussing how diversity is a driver of creativity and the benefits of having functional, gender, and cultural diversity when creating a team. Speakers: MacEwan University has also hosted speakers that have lectured on various aspects of diversity and culture. Examples include: - On February 26, 2014, Dr. Shiv Ganesh, professor of Communication at Massey University in New Zealand, delivered a public lecture at MacEwan University about the principles and processes of communicating from one culture to another and barriers to success in intercultural communication. He also offered event attendees tips to increasing their cultural intelligence and understanding why it matters. - On March 20, 2014, Dr. Brenda Dixon-Gottschild, Professor Emeritus at Temple University in Philadelphia, provided a key note presentation entitled "'Can We All Get Along?' Addressing Racial Bias in Divisive Times" to commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21st.