McGill University
PAE-8: Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups

McGill has a very diverse student and staff population. There are innumerable student clubs where students of particular groups have self-organized into support/social networks (http://ssmu.mcgill.ca/?page_id=83). The University has offices dedicated to supporting under-represented groups, including but not limited to the following:

"The Social Equity and Diversity Education (SEDE) Office is committed to fostering a fair and inclusive environment that respects the dignity of each member of the McGill Community. By actively educating, heightening awareness, and providing opportunities for dialogue about equity and diversity-related issues, we strive to strengthen the Community in our shared responsibility toward a truly equitable society."
-Source: http://www.mcgill.ca/equity_diversity/welcome/

"The First Peoples' House believes that innovative partnerships should exist between McGill University and Aboriginal communities. The First Peoples' House aims to provide Aboriginal students with a "home away from home" and envisions the following:
* To increase the admission and retention rates of Aboriginal students studying at McGill.
* To promote and increase the accessibility of student services of McGill to Aboriginal students.
* To meet the concerns of Aboriginal communities, which include educational programming and policies that are culturally relevant to Aboriginal peoples.
* To promote collaborative research and learning between McGill University and Aboriginal communities.
* To raise awareness within the McGill University community regarding the past, present, and future aspirations of Aboriginal peoples through the promotion of activities that encourage personal, social, intellectual, and cultural interactions between Aboriginals and McGill students and staff.
* To work on the creation of an Aboriginal Studies Program with the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada."
-Source: http://www.mcgill.ca/fph/mission/

"The Office for Students with Disabilities provides reasonable academic accommodations and support to students with disabilities in order to facilitate their equal academic participation at McGill."
-Source: http://www.mcgill.ca/osd/services/

"McGill is home to more than 6,000 international students, who make up nearly 19 per cent of our student population. International Student Services works hard to promote the growth, development and success of this burgeoning community, and ease their transition to McGill and Montreal."
-Source: http://www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/issoffice/

The McGill University Mentor Program is committed to diversity. Students from under-represented groups or minorities may prefer to be matched with someone who has expressed an interest in mentoring such a participant.

McGill Chaplaincy Services is committed to "assisting individuals or groups in achieving spiritual growth and personal maturity within a university environment without proselytizing or coercion; respecting the integrity of different religious traditions and the encouragement of others to do likewise; respecting those without religion; working cooperatively to encourage an ethical approach to common concerns; working together with other student services; and promoting interfaith understanding."
-Source: http://www.mcgill.ca/students/chaplaincy/about/

The McGill Student Parents Network is an international, multi-generational community of parents, children, and student volunteers. We offer a number of support services for students and their families, including in-house babysitting, "Study Saturdays," and regular social events for fun and fellowship. The MSPN is coordinated by McGill Chaplaincy, but is not a faith-based initiative.
-Source: http://www.mcgill.ca/students/chaplaincy/studentparents/

Each of the five equity subcommittees (on women, persons with disabilities, race and ethnic relations, First Peoples, queer people) are composed of faculty, staff and both graduate and undergraduate student members. Each subcommittee is required to host regular meetings, address new and existing priorities, and make recommendations to the Joint Senate-Board Committee on Equity (JSBCE). For example, the Senate Subcommittee on Women prioritizes the following in pursuit of its mandate:

1) Advocacy of Women’s Rights and Promotion of Women

* Providing positive action regarding the employment and promotion of women at McGill University
* Promoting equity for women in salary and pension issues
* Monitoring representation of women on University committees and in administrative positions
* Monitoring policy and practices affecting women
* Providing advocacy for the problems of obtaining research funding - Supporting research and teaching on women

2) Initiation and Consolidation of Women’s Activities

Will collaborate with the Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies (IGSF) when there are issues of mutual interest. As well, SSCOW will continue to offer its own advice about, and support to, the activities of women students and all staff.

3) Liaison and Networking for Women

* Assisting in the sponsorship of conferences on issues pertinent to women in academic and workplace contexts
* Facilitating contact with other women’s groups at the University as well as regional and national organizations

http://www.mcgill.ca/senate-subcommittee-women/senate/

The organizational structure of our equity subcommittees (on women, persons with disabilities, race and ethnic relations, First Peoples, queer people) place an emphasis on 'community-building' without separate membership categories reserved for faculty, staff and student members. All subcommittees are required to sustain a diverse membership in order to maintain its representative quality. Each subcommittee is also required to host regular meetings, address new and existing priorities, and make recommendations to the Joint Senate-Board Committee on Equity (JSBCE).