University of Calgary
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

The non-discrimination policy is enshrined in the University Code of Conduct (http://www.ucalgary.ca/policies/files/policies/code-of-conduct.pdf) and complemented by the Employment Equity Policy and Harassment Policy. The Code of Conduct communicates the University's expectation with respect to the behavior of employees, academic staff members, students, postdoctoral scholars, appointees and staff members. These expectations are based on the principals of respect for the dignity of all, fair treatment of individuals, respect for academic freedom, respect for university resources and respect for individual property.

The Code of Conduct, the Harassment Policy, the Non-Academic Student’s Misconduct policy all have procedures in place to address these issues. These policies are available online. The duties of the Protected Disclosure Advisor are also outlined, this advisor undertakes misconduct investigations as required. These investigations are confidential but typical actions can include counseling, support, advocacy, reports to police, and disciplinary measures as provided for under policy procedures
Additionally, The Student Ombuds Office offers a safe place for undergraduate and graduate students of the University of Calgary to discuss student related issues, interpersonal conflict, academic and non-academic concerns, and many other problems.

Students:
Transition-year program for Aboriginal students. This program, titled Aboriginal Student Access Program, offers first-year university classes and additional advising, cultural support, peer support and tutorials. This transition-year program provides an opportunity for students, who are not fully admissible to faculties, to take university level credit courses designed to improve academic success and gain access to faculty based programs. This full-time university program qualifies for student loans as well as other sources of funding.
International Student Services provides UCalgary International Students with programs and services which directly relates to their unique needs. These programs include the Global Friendship Program, the Global Families Program, a mentorship program, Language Bank program and international student advising, all tailored to the needs of international students.
Staff:
Employment equity is a process adopted by the University as an employer to identify and eliminate discrimination in employment procedures and policies, remedy the effects of past discrimination and ensure appropriate representation of the designated groups throughout an employer's workforce. Employment equity is compatible with the concept of diversity. Both approaches aim at achieving and valuing a workforce that reflects the diverse composition of Canadian society. The university reports on workplace equity annually. These reports include short and long-term goals for equitable hiring. These reports are published here: http://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/workplace_diversity_employment_equity
Faculty:
The University of Calgary is part of the Federal Contractors Program which requires us to establish an employment equity program. Employment equity programs are mandated federally by the Employment Equity Act and the Federal Contractors Program. The Employment Equity Act requires all federally-regulated companies, such as banks, airlines, and crown corporations, to report on the workforce distribution of the four targeted groups. The University participates in the Federal Contractors Program because our researchers bid on and receive research contracts with the Government of Canada.
Workplace Diversity and Employment Equity Committee:
The purpose of the committee is to advise the Associate Vice-President (Human Resources) on plans and initiatives to support our commitment to diversity and employment equity. The Associate Vice-President (Human Resources) is the senior official responsible for employment equity at the University of Calgary. The Director, HR Services will chair the Workplace Diversity and Employment Equity Advisory Committee.
The terms of reference of the committee are to:
• Communicate and promote the implementation of employment equity activities,
• Assist in the promotion of the workforce survey, the review of employment policies and practices, the consolidation of employment equity activities and the development of a new Workplace Diversity and Employment Equity Plan, and
• Identify specific needs of designated groups in the University’s workforce
The Committee will consist of one representative of each of the University of Calgary Faculty Association and the Management and Professional Staff Association and two representatives of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Local 52
Additional members representing various university faculties or units and members of the designated groups under employment equity will be appointed by the Chair.
The Committee will also include the Human Resources staff members representing analysts, advisors and partners, workforce administration, and recruitment and retention.
Information on specific equity policies and practices can be found on the university’s Human Resources website: http://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/climate_equity

Programs that support underrepresented campus members specifically (students, staff and faculty can access these programs):
-The University of Calgary Women's Resource Center provides mentorship and leadership training to women on campus. Their mentorship program pairs female UCalgary members with women in the community in mentoring relationships which provides skills-based leadership training including communication, goal setting, and networking workshops. (https://www.ucalgary.ca/women/)
-The Q Centre’s Queer Mentoring initiative provides opportunities for undergraduate students and campus community members from sexual and gender minorities to empower themselves by pairing them with established, queer-identified peers. They work on skills related to coming out, identity, networking, friendship, dating, volunteering, working, other extracurricular activities, stress, relationship issues and health and wellness. https://www.su.ucalgary.ca/programs-services/student-services/the-q-centre/
-The Faith and Spirituality Centre creates a multicultural community by encouraging cultural and religious literacy, community building, and social change as part of the campus experience. A variety of support programs, services and workshops are held for members of a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds (https://www.ucalgary.ca/fsc/)
-The Native Centre on campus at UCalgary offers a variety of programs and events that create learning and support opportunities for Indigenous campus members. Through these, students, staff and faculty members can gain knowledge of and support for Indigenous learners, their communities and cultural traditions. (https://www.ucalgary.ca/nativecentre)

Programs that support underrepresented students specifically:
-Academic advising is available to Indigenous students through the Native Centre and the Student Success Centre. The Native Centre provides advising and assistance for general program advising and financial needs among other concerns through culturally-based community experts. (https://www.ucalgary.ca/nativecentre/)
-The Aboriginal Student Access Program is a transition-year program that provides an opportunity for students, who are not fully admissible to faculties, to take university-level credit courses designed to increase academic success and gain access to faculty based programs. The program consists of first-year university classes, as well as supports such as advising, cultural support, peer support and tutorials. (https://www.ucalgary.ca/nativecentre/prospective-students/asap)
-The LYNX Aboriginal Student Career and Employment Program is a service designed for Indigenous university students looking for professional employment opportunities, internships, co-ops, summer and full-time employment positions. As well, LYNX Program Corporate Sponsors are featured as employers-of-choice to Indigenous post-secondary students and new graduates through their job postings, workplace profiles, and scholarships. (https://www.ucalgary.ca/nativecentre/current-students/lynx)
-The Aboriginal Student Success, Empowerment and Re-engagement Training (ASSERT) program takes a holistic approach to academic success by providing academic and cultural guidance to Indigenous students. The ASSERT Program provides customized academic, cultural, peer support, and leadership training primarily for first and second year Indigenous students attending the University of Calgary. (https://www.ucalgary.ca/nativecentre/current-students/assert)
-Refugee Student Program:
In partnership with the World University Service of Canada, each year the University of Calgary sponsors refugee students to come to the University of Calgary from refugee camps all over the world. The Student Refugee Program enables individual refugees to pursue their education and a better life in an environment free of violence and fear. To date, refugee students have come to the university from camps in Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, South Africa, Malawi and Thailand. The University of Calgary pays the cost of admission, tuition, textbooks and provides accommodation for the incoming first year students, totalling approximately $16,000 per student.
https://www.su.ucalgary.ca/programs-services/student-services/refugee-student-program/

Programs that support underrepresented staff and faculty members:
The University of Calgary has free mentoring and counselling programs that support those from underrepresented groups through the employee family assistance program (Employee and Family Assistance Plan-EFAP). Services provide employees support for life stage transitions from marriage to birth of a child, parenting, family challenges, career changes, bereavement or planning for retirement. They can also help deal with depression, anxiety, fear, addictions and provide immediate assistance in times of crisis. (https://www.ucalgary.ca/staffwellness/EFAP)
EFAP Services:
Counselling Services are available face-to-face, by telephone, video or online. Assessments and guidance are offered that may help with many personal challenges including, but not limited to:
-Stress management
-Depression and anxiety
- Support for members of LGBTQ2S+ community
-Alcohol/drug abuse
-Marital and relationship issues
-Family conflicts
-Gambling
-Violence/trauma
-Emotional/individual issues
-Bereavement and loss
Additional resources are outlined on the university’s Human Resources site: http://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/climate_equity

The University of Calgary aims to create a diverse, accommodating and accessible campus community by supporting students from underrepresented groups on their path towards becoming future faculty members. The University of Calgary provides financial support and assistance for students from underrepresented groups enrolled in terminal degree programs. Through this financial assistance, these students can pursue the graduate, doctoral or post-doctoral study of their choice.

Some examples of financial assistance available to graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral scholars from underrepresented groups at the University of Calgary include the following:
ii’taa’poh’to’p Graduate Scholarship:
This $20,000 scholarship which provides funding for Indigenous students pursing graduate studies.
https://iac01.ucalgary.ca/FGSA/Public/SpecificAward.aspx?AwardID=5259
Indigenous Graduate Awards Competition (IGA):
The Indigenous Graduate Award (IGA) program was established by the Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education to encourage Indigenous Albertans to pursue graduate studies in Alberta.
https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/indigenous/iga
Captain Nichola K S Goddard Memorial Graduate Scholarship:
Offered to citizens of Papua New Guinea or Afghanistan or members of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit or Metis people, and is provided to support these students with their graduate studies.
https://iac01.ucalgary.ca/FGSA/Public/SpecificAward.aspx?AwardID=5198
Metis Scholar Graduate Award:
The Metis Scholar Graduate Award is offered to those of Metis heritage in order to support the pursuit of graduate studies. https://iac01.ucalgary.ca/FGSA/Public/SpecificAward.aspx?AwardID=5206
Dr. Jeanette Nicholls Graduate Scholarship:
Applicants must be single parents who have primary custodial responsibility for their child/children. This scholarship provides financial assistance to single parents registered in a doctoral program. https://iac01.ucalgary.ca/FGSA/Public/SpecificAward.aspx?AwardID=5201

Along with financial support, the Faculty of Arts and Werklund School of Education are establishing formal routes for supporting Indigenous students in terminal degrees to prepare them for careers as faculty members. These faculties welcome cohorts of new Indigenous faculty members through cluster hires. These cohorts of Indigenous faculty members then form their own committees, which strive to offer support to Indigenous students throughout their academic career. The goal of this increased support for Indigenous students is the creation of a self-sustaining cycle in which faculty members support the students, prepare them for their careers and potentially hire them on as new faculty members. The Werklund School of Education is currently in the process of initializing a new series of cluster hires beginning in 2019.
https://arts.ucalgary.ca/news/greeting-our-new-recruits