Thompson Rivers University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

TRU's International Student Advisors provide personal counseling for international students both before arrival in Canada and during their time at TRU. They also provide information and coordinate housing, orientation, and settlement services. TRU’s International Student Activities Program (ISAP) plans and co-ordinates a number of on and off-campus student activities for International and Canadian Students. TRU’s Aboriginal Services Team provides support with everything from day-to-day life to funding applications and support accessing daycare and housing programs. They also act as liaisons to faculty and other networks on campus, and work to recruit, retain, and help aboriginal students be successful at TRU. The Elder in the House Program at The Gathering Place bulding on TRU’s Kamloops campus also provides mentoring, counseling and support.The Gathering Place also offers aboriginal students with the following: on site computers, kitchen and lounge area, assistance in locating basic facilties (daycare and housing for example), educational support like homework and scholarship and bursary applications, assisting with band funding applications, one-on-one tutoring, library outreach program, and personal development seminars (at no charge). The health and wellness program at the Gathering Place advocates for students on important issues such as discrimination and harassment. It offers on site counseling three days a week (plus there's counseling available all week in the Old Main building). Social support systems are set in place to enhance the sense of community and social activities, like Potlucks and games. On November 13, 2014, approximately 180 Aboriginal high school students partcipated in the Transition to Post Secondary program at TRU. It gave students in Grades 10-12 a chance to see what campus life is like. It also allowed them to participate in activities, presentation, and tours; highlighting what resources are available, the services on campus, and courses being offered. This program built upon a strong partnership between TRU, School District 73, and local Aboriginal communities that oversee a common goal of Aboriginal students attending post secondary schools. More information is available at: http://inside.tru.ca/2014/11/07/180-aboriginal-high-school-students-to-envision-university-experience/. TRU Disability Services provides access services to all eligible TRU students (on-campus or Open Learning students). Disability Services assists in facilitating equal access to educational opportunities at TRU by reducing the physical, attitudinal and systemic barriers for students. Disability Services facilitates and/or provides a variety of services and accommodations for eligible students with disabilities, ranging from exam accommodation, alternate format text material, sign language interpretation, access to adaptive technology, and the facilitation of in-class note-taking.

Thompson Rivers University promotes teaching, scholarship and research, and the free and critical discussion of ideas. TRU is committed to providing a working and learning environment that allows for the full and free participation of all members of the University community. Discrimination undermines these objectives, violates the fundamental rights, personal dignity and integrity of individuals or groups of individuals, and may require remedial action by the University. This policy responds to the University's responsibility under the Human Rights Code of British Columbia to prevent discrimination, to provide procedures to handle complaints, to resolve problems, and to remedy situations when a violation of this policy occurs. The University will offer educational and training programs designed to support the administration of this policy, and to ensure that all members of the University community are aware of their responsibilities under the Human Rights Code and this policy. This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff on campus. It is overseen by the Board of Governers.

Information regarding the Gathering Place and services available for Aboriginal students can be found at: http://www.tru.ca/aero/students/gath_place/gatheringhouse.html