Sheridan College (Ontario)
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Sheridan has established the Centre for Equity and Inclusion. CEI provides leadership in the development and coordination of programs, policies and procedures which support Sheridan's organizational and legislative commitments to provide human rights, equity and accessibility under the Human Rights Code of Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. CEI provides professional advice, guidance, education, and awareness-raising initiatives in the areas of human rights, equity and accessibility as well as oversight and expertise in matters of diversity and cultural change. CEI receives, investigates and addresses workplace harassment, human rights and accessibility complaints from student or employees and assists with dispute resolution. We act as the College’s key contact for external human rights complaints before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. CEI provides consultation and training to operational partners and also provides guidance to the Human Resources Business Partners on matters pertaining to accessibility, equity and human rights in the workplace. CEI serves as a thought leader for equity and inclusion and creates and implements equity and inclusion initiatives, aligned with organizational objectives, to build awareness and sustain an inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the Sheridan community. CEI provides leadership and expertise in promoting a positive working and learning culture that values diversity in its many forms, and fosters equity and inclusion through a mix of pan-Sheridan policy and program development, advisory service, resources, communications and training that support organizational and legislative commitments and increase understanding of equity and inclusion issues. As per AODA General Standards, Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, Sheridan consults with persons with disabilities as required through the Advisory Council on Sheridan Accessibility. This Council meets quarterly.

CEI does not do or promote cultural competence training. Cultural competency has been critiqued by many as centering whiteness, and “Western” and non-Indigenous cultural norms as the basis to which all other cultures and ways of knowing are compared, and viewed as alternative or “other than.” The cultural competency model tends to support dominant power structures and does not challenge folks to critique the status quo. CEI prefers an anti-oppression training model which enables an examination of underlying systemic issues, power relations and bias. We do however provide a range of training on equity and inclusion issues, including, but not limited to, gender and sexual diversity, power and privilege, training on Sheridan policies related to harassment and discrimination, accessibility, workplace harassment, workplace accommodation and return to work, workplace violence (in partnership with Occupational Health and Safety Services), Code for Professionalism and Civility (in partnership with Human Resources), and sexual assault and sexual violence. Some of this training is mandatory, some is voluntary, some are regular and some are on an ad hoc/customized basis. This said, the estimated proportions of these trainings would be: Students - Some Staff (including administrators) - Most Faculty - Most All employees are required to complete mandatory AODA training as well as “Inclusion at Sheridan: Human Rights, AODA, and the Sheridan Workplace” training, available through Sheridan College’s internal SLATE website. The orientation also includes an introduction and overview from CEI. New employees received a brief presentation from CEI on equity and inclusion which includes references to equity-related policies, and an invitation to consult with and partner with CEI on events, activities and training related to equity and inclusion.