The University of British Columbia
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

For a full list of all resources, programs, and initiatives, and offices visit: http://equity.ubc.ca/academic-programs-research/ http://equity.ubc.ca/equity-diversity-related-offices/ ABORIGINAL PORTAL http://aboriginal.ubc.ca/ The Aboriginal Portal is a comprehensive website that offers information for Aboriginal students on Aboriginal academic programs and events, a list of Aboriginal faculty, links to faculty, student and community research, community and youth programming, Aboriginal alumni, information about the First Nations House of Learning and the Xwi7xwa library, and the UBC Aboriginal Strategic Plan. ABORIGINAL STRATEGIC PLAN http://aboriginal.ubc.ca/files/2013/01/ASP-FinalComplete.pdf The UBC Aboriginal Strategic Plan document is designed to provide a comprehensive framework. In order for the University to effectively contribute to Aboriginal education and research and create learning environments for all students that reflect the values and principles outlined above, the University must strategically engage in the following ten key areas of strategic engagement: 1. Pre-university, Recruitment, and Access Initiatives 2. Student Support and Retention 3. Curriculum and Public Programming 4. Recruitment and Support of Faculty and Staff 5. Research 6. Study and Work Climate 7. Community Relations 8. Internal and External Communications 9. Development Initiatives 10. Administration, Evaluation, and Resources ACCESS AND DIVERSITY OFFICE http://www.students.ubc.ca/access/index.cfm Access & Diversity works with the University to create an inclusive living and learning environment in which all students can thrive. This office provides leadership in examining policies, processes, and programs through the lens of diversity. Access and Diversity provides services such as disability-related accommodations for students, faculty and staff with disabilities, alternate format materials for people with print disabilities, resources for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities, Race and Ethnicity programs and events, the Equity Ambassadors Program, and the Womens’ Student Lounge. The Access & Diversity office provides a number of disability-related services and resources to UBC students and faculty and staff with disabilities. It also works with Instructors Accommodating Students with Disabilities and operates Crane Library to transcribe text and course materials for students, staff, and faculty members who require alternatives to print and to provide technical resources that permit independent access to information. ALLIES AT UBC http://www.ams.ubc.ca/campus-life/ams-resource-groups/allies-at-ubc/ Allies at UBC is an AMS resource group focused on engaging men in working to end violence against women and all forms of gender-based violence. While people of all gender identities and sexual orientations are allowed and encouraged to join, the group is primarily concerned with engaging men to work towards ending gender based violence, and is therefore comprised of mostly men. By facilitating workshops, running campaigns, hosting events and fundraisers, and volunteering our time with other anti-oppression/feminist organizations, the members of Allies work to create a campus which is inclusive and safe for all members of our community. We seek to empower individuals to live in such a way that does not condone or perpetuate gender based violence and oppression. AMS RESOURCE GROUPS http://www.ams.ubc.ca/services/resource-groups/ The UBC Alma Mater Society (AMS) resource groups are run by students and aim to support, protect, and celebrate the different backgrounds and beliefs of its membership. Resource groups include: Allies at UBC, Colour Connected, Student Environment Centre, Pride UBC, Social Justice Centre, and the Womyn’s Centre. UBC CONTINUING STUDIES - INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND DIVERSITY PROGRAMS UBC Continuing Studies offers a variety of intercultural communication and diversity courses and certificate programs, including the following: • Centre for Intercultural Communication: https://cstudies.ubc.ca/about-us/program-units/centre-intercultural-communication • Managing@UBC Intercultural Stream - UBC Certificate Program: https://cstudies.ubc.ca/programs/intercultural-studies-certificate/managing-at-ubc-stream • Intercultural Studies - UBC Certificate Program: https://cstudies.ubc.ca/programs/intercultural-studies-certificate • Intercultural Communication – UBC Award of Achievement Program: https://cstudies.ubc.ca/programs/intercultural-communication-award-achievement • Diversity and Inclusion - UBC Award of Achievement Program: https://cstudies.ubc.ca/programs/diversity-inclusion-award-achievement CENTRE FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY (CTLT) http://ctlt.ubc.ca/ The Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology’s programs are offered for faculty, graduate students, teaching assistants, undergraduate students, staff, heads and directors. The following instructional topics cut across the program offerings, informing the learning path of each: Aboriginal issues; Equity and diversity; Teaching and learning practice; Reflective practice; Assessment of learning; Evaluation and research; Sustainability; Teaching and learning with technology; and Student engagement and success. The Diversity, Equity and Intercultural Understanding section of the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology’s website offers opportunities and resources to enhance teaching and learning on the issues of diversity, equity and intercultural understanding at UBC and beyond. CENTRE FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY (CTLT) – ABORIGINAL INITIATIVE http://ctlt.ubc.ca/programs/communities-of-practice/aboriginal-initiatives The primary focus of UBC’s Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology’s Aboriginal Initiative is to support the development of a higher standard of professionalism when conducting discussions on Aboriginal and other contentious social issues. The unit also initiates, advances, and maintains curriculum and academic resources to address the gaps and insufficiencies in knowledge around Aboriginal topics. COLOUR CONNECTED (AMS RESOURCE GROUP) http://www.ams.ubc.ca/campus-life/ams-resource-groups/colour-connected/ Colour Connected Against Racism is an AMS resource group that provides support and information to students who feel alienated and disempowered due to discrimination. Colour Connected organizes events on various issues pertaining to ‘Peoples of Colour’, lobbies the University and other institutions to implement necessary changes, and addresses issues of sexism, homophobia, poverty, domestic and global exploitation, and other social injustices. The centre is filled with resources where students can learn about their history, and share their experiences in a supportive and positive environment. DAVID LAM CHAIR IN MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION http://multicultural.educ.ubc.ca/davidlamchair.html David Lam Chair in Multicultural Education enables the Faculty of Education to provide leadership in research, teaching, and application of knowledge about multicultural education. EQUIPMENT ACCOMODATION FUND http://equity.ubc.ca/employment/equipment-accommodation-fund-eaf/ The purpose of the Equipment Accommodation Fund is to cover extraordinary costs associated with specialized adaptive supplies and equipment that facilitate the recruitment of well-qualified persons with disabilities into faculty and staff positions, and accommodate faculty and staff who suffer accidents or deteriorating conditions over the course of their careers at UBC. EQUITY ENHANCEMENT FUND http://equity.ubc.ca/employment/equity-enhancement-fund-eef/ The Equity Enhancement Fund (EEF) is a University resource designed to assist academic and administrative units in creating new initiatives that will enhance equity within the University. EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE http://equity.ubc.ca/ The Equity and Inclusion Office at the University of British Columbia works to prevent discrimination and harassment on campus, to provide procedures for handling complaints, and to coordinate UBC’s employment and educational equity program. The Office helps educate members of the UBC community about their rights and responsibilities. Workshops and training sessions for students, staff, and faculty on issues such as discrimination and harassment, equity, and diversity are offered regularly and are available on request. FIRST NATIONS HOUSE OF LEARNING http://aboriginal.ubc.ca/longhouse/ The First Nations House of Learning website provides links to the many academic programs with an Aboriginal focus in the Faculties of Arts, Education, Forestry, Graduate Studies, Land and Food Systems, Law, Medicine and Science; the College of Health Disciplines; the College for Interdisciplinary Studies; the Graduate School of Journalism; and the Sauder School of Business. The First Nations House of Learning also provides student services such as an Aboriginal Student Advisor, a computer centre, and the Xwi7xwa library. A full listing of Aboriginal faculty contacts is available at: http://aboriginal.ubc.ca/faculty/ FOCUS ON PEOPLE WORKPLACE PRACTICES AT UBC http://www.focusonpeople.ubc.ca/ Focus on People Workplace Practices at UBC is a contributing framework that sets out strategies and initiatives that work towards the realization of the University’s values of academic freedom, mutual respect, integrity, dignity, and inclusivity. FOCUS ON WOMEN IN COMPUTER SCIENCE COMMITTEE (FoWCS) https://www.cs.ubc.ca/our-department/women The Focus on Women in Computer Science committee (FoWCS), aims to increase the participation of women in UBC CS at all academic levels, including undergrad, grad, and faculty. INTERNATIONAL HOUSE http://www.students.ubc.ca/international/index.cfm International House provides International Student Advisors, peer programs, orientations, and a wide range of assistance to and programming for international students. International House is a community centre open to all members of UBC and their families. INTERCULTURAL UNDERSTANDING http://equity.ubc.ca/intercultural-understanding-workshops/ Director of Intercultural Understanding at UBC offers workshops to grow intercultural fluency at UBC including: intercultural understanding for faculty and staff; intercultural communications skills, developing cultural literacies, vital soft skills for the classroom and workplace; and intercultural skills clinics. POSITIVE SPACE CAMPAIGN http://positivespace.ubc.ca/ The Positive Space Campaign is an initiative intended to help make UBC more receptive to and welcoming of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* (transgender, transsexual, trans-identified), two-spirit, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBT*TQIA+) communities, individuals and issues of sexual and gender diversity on campus. It aims to foster a welcoming atmosphere and inclusive, respectful dialogue on campus for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities by identifying spaces where sexual and gender diversity is supported and valued. PRIDE UBC http://www.ams.ubc.ca/campus-life/ams-resource-groups/prideubc/ Pride UBC is an AMS resource group that provides peer support to members and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered communities at UBC; assists those who are coming out by providing a forum for discussion on sexuality; educates the greater UBC community about the variation of human sexuality and the rights of queer people; and hosts events and discussion groups. SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT CENTRE (SASC) http://www.ams.ubc.ca/services/sexual-assault-support-centre/ Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC), a service of the AMS, provides survivors of sexual assault (female, male, and trans, as well as their friends, family members, and partners) with free and confidential emotional, medical, and legal support, and resources. SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTRE http://www.ams.ubc.ca/campus-life/ams-resource-groups/social-justice-centre/ The Social Justice Centre is an AMS resource group that aims to serve any and all students interested in finding progressive solutions to societal injustice. The Social Justice Centre works toward progressive social change by raising awareness about social justice issues and providing contacts to socially active people and organizations; providing a forum for discussion on these issues; and facilitating concrete actions in response to discussions and fostering students with skills and techniques to engage in activism. STUDENT FAMILY HOUSING http://www.housing.ubc.ca/student-family-housing Student Family Housing provides information and application forms for year-round, on-campus student family housing for couples or families with one or more children. WOMEN IN ENGINEERING PROGRAM http://blogs.apsc.ubc.ca/wie/ The Women in Engineering (WIE) program aims to support and connect female engineering students and faculty members and build mentoring relationships, social and study groups, and professional networks. WOMEN IN SCIENCE PROGRAM http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/career/women The Women In Science UBC Website provides information on department specific efforts for female students. WOMYN’S CENTRE http://www.ams.ubc.ca/services/resource-groups/womyns-centre/ The AMS Womyn’s Centre is a space where women can feel safe, empower each other, and organize against sexism and violence. The Womyn’s Centre offers a wide variety of resources including an extensive library and events aimed to empower and inform.

POLICY 3: DISCRIMINATION AND HARRASSMENT The University of British Columbia has responsibility for and is committed to providing its students, staff and faculty with an environment dedicated to excellence, equity and mutual respect; one that is free of Discrimination and Harassment; and one in which the ability to freely work, live, examine, question, teach, learn, comment and criticize is protected. Academic Freedom and freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression carries with it the expectation that all Members of the University Community will conduct themselves in a responsible manner so as not to cause, condone or participate in the Discrimination or Harassment of another person or group of persons. The University’s commitment to maintaining and respecting human rights at every level of the institution is central to this Policy.

Further information about UBC’s equity and diversity programs is available online at: http://equity.ubc.ca/equity-diversity-related-offices/ http://students.ubc.ca/campus/diversity For trans* housing accommodations and inventory of gender neutral bathrooms, visit http://students.ubc.ca/campus/diversity/sexual-orientation