Seneca Polytechnic
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

It is the policy of Seneca College to retain a leadership role within the educational community by continually building on our progress and expanding its efforts to reach out and include those who come from all segments of the population. Seneca will reflect and promote our diverse society to effectively engage their students, faculty, and staff, and at the same time provide equal access to opportunities. It is only through such a commitment that the College can address major societal issues of the past, present and effectively influence the future of post-secondary education and the world of the twenty-first century. Seneca will ensure a learning and working environment in which all members of the College are included, welcomed and respected. Seneca's continuing commitment to diversity means recognizing and celebrating varying experiences, beliefs and customs to immerse them into the academic curriculum, student life and employment practices of our institution. Seneca will recruit and retain a diverse student body, faculty, administrative and support staff that is reflective of society and will ensure that diversity is respected and enmeshed into the policies, systems and structures of the College. In this regard, we will provide challenging educational, personal experiences and intellectual stimulation that provide growth and academic excellence that can only come from engaging and learning to respect a broad range of people with differing characteristics, backgrounds, life experiences, beliefs and ideas. Seneca has functioned as a leader and a catalyst in the advancement of equity and inclusion, from accessibility to ethno-cultural events to gender-based initiatives. Seneca's many constituents value diversity and admire the commitment to diversity and inclusion. Operating within Seneca's Human Resources department, the Diversity and Inclusion Office offers a wide range of services and programs, all focusing on the critical objective of advancing Seneca's position as a richly diverse environment i which to learn, work and collaborate. The Diversity and Inclusion Office under the Human Resources umbrella, is responsible for the education, training, awareness and prevention programs to support a diverse, safe, accessible and positive climate for all members of the College community. This office also coordinates and assists with College activities promoting diversity such as Black, Asian, Hispanic Heritage Months, Multicultural Communications Month, National Disability Awareness Month, Women’s History Month, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. Student Conduct Office oversees the investigation of policies related to diversity and equity regarding students. Equity activities are overseen by Human Resources as well as the Seneca Student Federation.

Seneca College spends about $240,000 annually on professional development for all employees. Seneca offers tuition subsidies for courses related to an employee's current position. Seneca promotes the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) mentoring program to employees. Seneca offers Career Development Series that include: Interview Like a Pro, Ace the Interview, Tapping Into Your Network, Resume Guidelines for Employees, Leveraging LinkedIn, and in-house and online training programs such as AODA, WHIMS, and creating accessible documents.