Toronto Metropolitan University
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion partners with all areas of the university, including academic and administrative, to embed the values of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) throughout the organization. OVPECI provides leadership, consultation and progress assessments to leaders at Ryerson in the area of equity, diversity and inclusion. The Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) has a distinction of having a unique executive leadership position among Canadian universities that solely focuses on equity, diversity and inclusion. OVPECI addresses campus-wide systemic issues; plays a central role in education initiatives; expands partnerships within the university and the broader community; and provides expertise on matters related to human rights, EDI and Indigenous concerns. Vision/Mission/Mandate: Vision - Become an international Equity, Diversity and Inclusion leader in postsecondary education. Mission - Foster equitable, inclusive change. Mandate - Maintain a visible presence for EDI and Indigenous values as integral components across all teaching, learning, research, service, and administrative functions of the university, while addressing the range of systemic barriers at Ryerson. What We Do (Offices/Units): Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services (RASS) - Provides specialized services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students on campus while developing a mutually productive relationship between Ryerson and the Aboriginal community. Access Ryerson - Works to make Ryerson an accessible learning and working environment for students, employees and members of the Ryerson community through the identification, removal and prevention of barriers. Education and Awareness - Offers a range of consulting services and builds programs for participants to generate, discuss and share ideas that can make the university a more inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. Human Rights Services - Advocates for a community where the dignity of all members are respected and upheld. This office administers the Discrimination and Harassment Policy and manages Sexual Violence cases. Research, Planning and Assessment - Identifies and achieves equity, diversity and inclusion goals through the collection, analysis and reporting of Ryerson diversity data, the development of project proposals and the research and implementation of best practices.

The Office of the Vice President Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) plays a central role in leading and coordinating equity, diversity, social inclusion, human rights, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and education and awareness activities and training. These include but are not limited to: The Ryerson Soup and Substance series, which is a noon hour moderated panel discussion, where participants enjoy a warm bowl of soup and refreshments, and engage panelists in an open conversation on a range of diversity topics that address social inclusion, human rights, and anti-racism/oppression; Dine and Discourse, in which Ryerson community members are invited to learn from expert guest speakers and engage in an interactive working lunch to further explore ideas that focus on cultural or social inclusion topics that engage human rights, equity, diversity and inclusion issues at Ryerson; Mandatory training required for faculty, staff and students prevent to Human Rights, discrimination and harrassment violations; Online Accessibility for Onatrians with Disabilities Act (AODA) training for all employees, primarily new and shortly thereafter; Training related to Human Rights policy and the Sexual Violence Policy for on- and off-campus partners including, but not limited to, student organizations and unions, Student Affairs staff, academic departments, Human Resources, the Office of Vice Provost Faculty Affairs, The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (The Learning and Teaching Office, Human Rights Services), and Community Safety and Security (Security and Emergency Services). OVPECI through its various units also provides group and one-on-one and customized training and support for employees and students, along with reports and online resources related to EDI. The overall goal of the education and awareness training is to provide educational opportunities to mitigate risks associated with human rights violations and foster a welcoming, equitable, inclusive environment that is human-rights centered, for all to learn and work.