Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 59.07
Liaison Matt Wolsfeld
Submission Date March 5, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Saskatchewan
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.17 / 3.00 Erin Akins
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a publicly posted non-discrimination statement? :
Yes

The non-discrimination statement, including the website URL where the policy is publicly accessible:

Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy:

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to creating and maintaining a positive environment for working and learning that is free of discrimination, as outlined in the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, based on any of the following prohibited grounds: religion, creed, marital status, family status, sex (including: gender expression, gender identity and two spirit identity), sexual orientation, disability, age, colour, ancestry, nationality, place of origin, race or perceived race and receipt of public assistance.

Harassment is not limited to these prohibited grounds, and may refer to any repeated or single serious occurrence of inappropriate conduct, comment, display, action or gesture.

Furthermore, both discrimination and harassment are prohibited by law and will not be tolerated. The university will respond to reports of discrimination and harassment as promptly and effectively as possible and will take appropriate action to prevent and correct behaviour that violates this policy.

https://policies.usask.ca/policies/health-safety-and-environment/discrimination-and-harassment-prevention.php#AuthorizationandApproval


Does the institution have a discrimination response protocol or committee (sometimes called a bias response team) to respond to and support those who have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination or hate crime?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team (including examples of actions taken during the previous three years):
---

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit students from underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit staff from underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit faculty from underrepresented groups?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs to recruit students, staff and/or faculty from underrepresented groups:

Children in Care Initiative - The U of S provides one of the most comprehensive university-sponsored funds in Canada to students leaving the child welfare system. The Saskatchewan Youth From Care Bursary pays for up to five years' of tuition, student fees, required books, accommodation, meal plans, and a stipend for personal costs, as well as a laptop and software to help recipients complete their first undergraduate degree. The university has allocated $100,000 annually from its operating budget to support for up to five students per year.

Aboriginal Student Recruitment -- The Aboriginal Student Recruitment Officer is responsible for both recruiting and orienting aboriginal students, many of whom come from remote and northern communities.

The Aboriginal Career Start Program - The University of Saskatchewan, in partnership with Dumont Technical Institute (DTI), Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT), and the Saskatoon Tribal Council, launched an Aboriginal Career Start program in an effort to provide practical experience and training to Aboriginal students. Eighteen graduates from DTI and SIIT receive paid, on-the-job training in a variety of university departments, such as financial services and human resources. The initiative is designed to increase the number of Aboriginal staff members that work on campus and also to help ensure communities have well-trained Aboriginal people working in them. The program should serve as a stepping stone to a long-term career with the university.

An Aboriginal Initiative Fund for Faculty is under development.


Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs to support students from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support faculty from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support students, staff and/or faculty from underrepresented groups:

Students with disabilities -- Disability Services for Students (DSS) assists students by offering programs and advocacy services and fostering an accessible and welcoming campus.

Aboriginal Students -- Established in 1991, the Aboriginal Student Centre aims to increase the retention and success rates of Aboriginal students. Services include elders to provide spiritual teachings and counseling to students, financial assistance with scholarships, bursaries and awards, student loans, emergency loans and band funding and a graduation pow wow.
http://students.usask.ca/aboriginal/

International Students -- The international Student and Study Abroad Centre assists all international undergraduate, graduate and exchange students and their families in their transition to the U of S and Saskatoon with settlement support and referrals.
http://students.usask.ca/international/issac.php

Sexual Orientation -- The USSU Pride Centre works with students, faculty and staff of all sexual orientations and gender identities in an open and progressive environment that advocates, celebrates and affirms sexual and gender diversity.
(http://ussu.ca/main-page/centres/pride-centre/)

Indigenous Voices is a professional development program for faculty and staff that stimulates dialogue, encourages learning and supports collaborative action in building reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Collaborating with colleges, schools, divisions and individuals, tailored programs are developed to meet the unique needs of our partners and support the exploration of Indigenous histories, worldviews, ways of knowing and contemporary issues.


Does the institution have training and development programs, teaching fellowships and/or other programs that specifically aim to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
---

Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution offer housing options to accommodate the special needs of transgender and transitioning students?:
Yes

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

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.