University of Calgary
PAE-9: Support Programs for Future Faculty

The University of Calgary strives to create and maintain a positive and productive learning and working environment in which there is respect for the dignity of all persons and fair and equitable treatment of individuals in our diverse community. The University of Calgary has articulated its commitment to diversity in its strategic direction, Eyes High. One of our foundation commitments states that people are our most valuable asset and that we will hire and retain talented individuals who skillfully provide the institutional support that is critical for individuals and teams of researchers to be leaders in their field. Our Workplace Diversity and the Employment Equity Plan focuses on building a strong sense of inclusion by promoting intercultural understanding on campus through communication and training, and removing barriers through enhanced accessibility and improved processes and community outreach. The Centre for International Students and Study Abroad (CISSA) promotes international education and awareness across communities. The centre administers international programs and develops and facilitates intercultural experiences for University of Calgary students and international students. One of CISSA’s core objectives is to provide support and services for international students adjusting to study at the University of Calgary and to life in Canada. University of Calgary International (UCI) facilitates and manages university-wide international agreements for collaborative research, joint academic and scientific activities, exchange of publications, student and/or staff exchange programs, training, internships, international practica, and collaborative degree programs. The team also provides services to faculties related to the contracting, administration and financial design, implementation and management of international projects and programs. The university plays host to many international visitors, university delegations, government officials and dignitaries each year. UCI helps faculty and staff develop campus itineraries and organize meetings, seminars and public presentations, advising on all related cross-cultural matters. Internationalization is one of our key strategic priorities as confirmed in our 2012 Academic Plan which is currently underway. In early 2013 we released our International Strategy which contains a number of goals that support increased diversity including: • we are targeting 25% of our graduate students to be international students by 2016 • Strategies for recruitment of research-graduate students o Support recruitment efforts of thesis-based graduate students o Develop an institutional–level thesis–based graduate student recruitment strategy • General recruitment strategies o Develop regionally differentiated strategies for recruitment of post–doctoral fellows o Develop recruitment strategies for non–traditional international students o Reach out to Canadian diasporic communities for targeted recruitment • Academic staff recruitment strategies o Within the constraints of Canadian immigration laws, all faculty recruitment will seek to identify the best candidates worldwide o Develop on–boarding and support programs for international faculty to ensure retention A number of initiatives and programs are underway that address a range of gender issues and that specifically focus on women. This includes developing programs to support and encourage women to pursue further education, and to ensure equal opportunities to undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and staff. The Advisor to the President on Women’s Issues makes recommendations to the President for action, and with the help of the President’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Issues, monitors results of previous recommendations, facilitates communication among university groups concerned with women’s issues, and participates in the development of employment equity policies and procedures. The Advisor’s most recent report focuses on the relationship between faculty retention and gender. The Women’s Resource Centre works to provide a safe and supportive place to advance women's equality and build community through sharing, learning and teaching where all experiences are valued, and everyone is offered the resources necessary to make informed choices. There are also a number of department-specific initiatives such as the Department of Biological Sciences which has an Equity Issues Committee (EIC) that works to help ensure equal opportunity for all members of the Department, including undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and staff. To this end, the EIC collects and distributes information pertinent to the Department and identifies initiatives that may improve the work environment for all members. The EIC is concerned about any group whose identity might influence individuals’ opportunities to succeed in their careers.

ucalgary.ca/careersuofc/diversity-equity/plan ucalgary.ca/uci ucalgary.ca/uci/students/cissa ucalgary.ca/advisoronwomensissues/reports ucalgary.ca/women/ ucalgary.ca/wao/ schulich.ucalgary.ca/gdec/