| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.17 |
| Liaison | James Gordon |
| Submission Date | May 31, 2022 |
Thompson Rivers University
PA-6: Assessing Diversity and Equity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
James
Gordon Environmental Programs and Research Coordinator TRU Office of Environment and Sustainability |
Has the institution engaged in a structured assessment process during the previous three years to improve diversity, equity and inclusion on campus?:
A brief description of the assessment process and the framework, scorecard(s) and/or tool(s) used:
The company TransFocus conducted a Gender Diversity Audit in order to identify challenges and develop solutions for transgender, non-binary, and Two Spirit (TNB2) students and employees at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). The final report was released February 4, 2020.
The purpose of this project is to better understand current systems, spaces, and procedures at the university along with the current experiences, challenges, and unmet needs of TNB2S students and employees at TRU. The project was undertaken from March to December 2019. This project was intended to inform the development of meaningful and effective solutions to improve TRU’s supports for TNB2S people across five key areas: (a) communications; (b) gendered records; (c) gender data; (d) gendered facilities (including washrooms, change rooms, and residences); and (e) programs and services.
TransFocus conducted mixed methods research among administrative and student stakeholders. The administrative stakeholders were engaged during six interviews. The names of the interviewees and the dates of the interviews are summarized in Appendix 1. Tours of key facilities were undertaken at five buildings and three residences. Furthermore, all TRU employees and students (including TNB2S and cisgender people) were invited to participate in a 15 to 30 minute survey that contained 44 questions. Representatives of the TRUSU Equity Committee were also engaged for TNB2S issues in previous years.
Does the assessment process address campus climate by engaging stakeholders to assess the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of employees and students, including the experiences of underrepresented groups?:
Does the assessment process address student outcomes related to diversity, equity and success?:
Does the assessment process address employee outcomes related to diversity and equity?:
A brief description of the most recent assessment findings and how the results are used in shaping policy, programs, and initiatives:
Here is a brief description of the most recent assessment findings:
The report discovery process surfaced three key themes among TNB2S students and
employees, highlighting the urgent need for strong and effective measures to
address their specific challenges and barriers. It was also determined that
cisgender employees and students were unsure or uncertain of how gender
diversity fits at TRU. Many of these challenges and barriers operate together to
maintain a difficult status quo for TNB2S people studying and working at TRU.
However, they can be addressed with strategic system changes and clearer and
more effective communications.
Key Theme 1: Ongoing challenges handled alone.
Key Theme 2: Cisgender employees not knowing how to help.
Key Theme 3: Lack of systems preparedness that reinforce invisible challenges.(For further details about there 3 Key Themes, see Page 3 here: https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/TransFocus_Final_Public_Audit48712.pdf).
Here is a brief description of how the results are used in shaping policy, programs, and initiatives:
TransFocus developed a total of 23 recommendations to address these and other challenges detailed in this report. These are divided into five different areas, including: a) communications and interpersonal interactions; b) gender records; c) gender data; d) gendered facilities, and e) programs and services. Table 1 summarizes eight high impact solutions across the five areas, which are identified as the most pressing to implement for TNB2S wellbeing.
(For further details about there five different areas, see Page 4 here:
https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/TransFocus_Final_Public_Audit48712.pdf).
Are the results of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment shared with the campus community?:
A brief description of how the assessment results are shared with the campus community:
The report is available open to anyone to see from this part of the TRU Diversity and Equity website. Scroll down to 'Resources', then click on the last bullet - TransFocus Consulting's Final Audit Report - then go to 'Annual Progress Reporting' and click on link for 2019-2020: https://www.tru.ca/current/diversity-equity/2SLGBTQIA_.html
https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/TransFocus_Final_Public_Audit48712.pdf
Are the results (or a summary of the results) of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment publicly posted?:
The diversity and equity assessment report or summary (upload):
Website URL where the diversity and equity assessment report or summary is publicly posted:
Website URL where information about the institution’s diversity and equity assessment efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Sources:
Manpreet Dhillon - TRU Diversity and Equity Coordinator
Sources:
Manpreet Dhillon - TRU Diversity and Equity Coordinator
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.