The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee has been established on July 1, 2020, and is a standing committee in the Department of Biology at University of Toronto Mississauga. Faculty, staff and student representatives serve on the EDI Committee which acts as an advisory body to the Chair of the Department and to the Biology Executive Committee, providing insight, advice and making recommendations on implementing measures to achieve the goals of increased equity, diversity and inclusion and upholding these values in the pursuit of our academic mission.
"The University of Toronto is committed to equity, human rights and respect for diversity. All members of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect where all members of our community can express themselves, engage with each other, and respect one another's differences. U of T does not condone discrimination or harassment against any persons or communities."
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you may contact the UTM Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office.
Recruitment Diversity Statement
The Department of Biology is committed to diversity in the faculty complement. Excellence flourishes in an environment that embraces the broadest range of people. We recognize that EDI is a complex and ongoing endeavor. In addition to traditional search methods, the department employs a proactive faculty recruitment strategy based on social networking, tapping into the opportunities offered by professional connections that our faculty have with leading academic peers in North America and around the world.
To strengthen the diversity of our faculty complement, the Department will focus on attracting excellent faculty from the following underrepresented groups: racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
If you are in crisis, there is help and one place to start is: The 24/7 Peel Crisis support line: 905-278-9036
The link below to the Sexual Violence and Prevention and Support Centre also has a number of helplines to find support including helplines including: Trans Life Line (877-330-6366), LGBT Youthline (800-268-9688), Hope 24/7: Sexual Assault Centre of Peel (800-810-0180), Info & Referral Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Violence (866-887-0015), First Nations, Inuit and Metis Hope and Wellness Line (855-242-3310) and many others. https://www.svpscentre.utoronto.ca/resources/24-7-emergency-or-crises-support/
Within the University
UTM’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office (https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/edio/home) they have a number of resources available including workshops and training initiatives, they host events, and they can assist with conflict resolution and complaints related to discrimination
They can be reached at: 905-569-4916 or email: edio.utm@utoronto.ca
UTM Indigenous Centre: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/indigenous-centre/
Sexual and Gender Diversity Office: https://sgdo.utoronto.ca/
This office can help with issues like a need to change your name for email and other U of T identifications: https://sgdo.utoronto.ca/resource-category/identification/
Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre: https://www.svpscentre.utoronto.ca/
The centre offers support on a number of levels including helping you decide what steps to take next and helping you navigate those steps including medical support, counseling, accommodations, and legal aid.
The Graduate Student Union and CUPE 3902 also have resources that students can access
University of Toronto Graduate Student’s Union (UTGSU) Main Page: https://utgsu.ca/ This also includes information about funding and insurance which may be helpful.
If you are uncomfortable bringing your issue to a member of the Biology Department, you can also contact the UTGSU for confidential advice and advocacy services.
UTGSU Advocacy Information (incl. contacts): https://utgsu.ca/services-2/advocacy/
They can also help connect you to mental health supports.
UTGSU Mental Health Support: https://utgsu.ca/services-2/mental-health-support/
Specific resources for TAs can be found with CUPE 3902 https://www.cupe3902.org/resources/
CUPE Funding provided to assist members of the union including:
Trans Fund: https://www.cupe3902.org/unit-1/benefits/tf/
Sexual Assault Survivor Support Fund: https://www.cupe3902.org/unit-1/benefits/sf/
Black and Indigenous Racism Fund: https://www.cupe3902.org/unit-1/benefits/biwf/
Resources for taking care of yourself
Health and wellness resources available through UTM: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/health/
For students who are face challenges related to their disabilities or who have faced discrimination related to their abilities or who may need modifications to classes or other aspects of their study and research Accessibility services is a place to start: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/accessibility/welcome-accessibility-services
Particularly important for students dealing with bias may be mental health services to handle the stress of those experiences. UTSGU and Sexual Violence and Prevention Centre can help you find resources (links above) and UTM also offers links to a number of resources including personal counselling: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/health/our-services/personal-counselling
Acknowledgment of Traditional Land
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
From: Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture
The University of Toronto aims to foster an inclusive workplace environment where all members of our community feel they belong, are respected, and can thrive. Workplace harassment and discrimination in any form are unacceptable and unwelcome at the University.
Policy Framework
All University of Toronto faculty, librarians, and staff work under a common set of workplace conduct policies and guidelines, as set out below. These workplace policies and guidelines are available online:
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Policy with Respect to Workplace Harassment and the associated Workplace Harassment Program guidelines:
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Policy with Respect to Workplace Violence and the associated Workplace Violence Program
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Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
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Accommodation Guidelines for Employees with Disabilities
These policies and guidelines set out the University’s expectations of behaviour and conduct, and outline the processes used when community members bring forward concerns and complaints.
Raising a Concern or Complaint
If you are experiencing workplace incivility, harassment, or discrimination, you may raise it with the University by contacting any of the University’s 13 Divisional HR Offices or any of the University’s equity offices on the St. George, UTM, and UTSC campuses. You may approach whichever HR office or Equity Professional you are most comfortable speaking with, even if they are not a part of your local Divisional HR Office. A list of offices and their contact information is set out below. Faculty members may also raise concerns and complaints with their Office of the Dean.
All employees may also seek support or file a formal complaint via the University’s Workplace Investigations Office.
If you are experiencing sexual violence or sexual harassment, you may raise it with the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre. The contact information for this office is also listed below.
All concerns and complaints will be treated confidentially, and support offered. There are to be no reprisals for raising a concern or complaint.
Accommodation
The University of Toronto recognizes its obligation to prevent discriminatory impacts on members of its community that arise from the failure to accommodate based on disability, religion/creed, and family status (i.e., primary caregiving responsibilities for parent/guardian or child). The duty to accommodate is made up of several overlapping and mutually reinforcing principles, including respect for dignity, individualization, integration, and full participation, as well as inclusive design.
Employees are encouraged to communicate accommodation needs to their immediate manager, supervisor, Chair, Director, or Dean. You may also contact your local Human Resources representative. It is the responsibility of both the University and the individual seeking accommodations to work cooperatively and respectfully to explore and implement appropriate accommodation options.
All employees of the University community can connect with the offices listed below for accommodation or support.
Reporting Vandalism
We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for everyone at the University of Toronto. This includes the physical spaces in which we learn and work. Providing an inclusive environment for everyone in our community means ensuring our physical spaces remain free from hateful messages, including racist or homophobic slurs, sexist language, or other discriminatory comments. Please report any vandalism or graffiti to Campus Safety, the Institutional Equity Office, the UTM Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, or the UTSC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office.
Available Resources
We encourage anyone concerned about conduct towards them within the context of our community to reach out to one of the resources listed above, or to contact their Divisional HR Representative for more information on available supports. Access to Faculty-level equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) offices and supports can also be obtained by speaking to any of the institutional Equity Offices listed below.
Training
The University provides information on harassment and discrimination related resources to all employees as part of its Basic Health and Safety Awareness Training. All current employees are required to take this training, which is updated periodically. If you have not taken the training or if you would like to refresh your training, you may register to do so.
The University also provides online training on Unconscious Bias that is available to all faculty, librarians, and staff. The first two Unconscious Bias Education Modules introduce information and provide examples of how Unconscious Biases can arise from stereotypes and result in discrimination. The online Unconscious Bias training modules, available via SuccessFactors: Learning, were created at University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) in an initiative led by Professor Maydianne Andrade, Department of Biological Sciences at UTSC. EDI learnings are also available through the Centre for Learning, Leadership & Culture.
Additional training on harassment and discrimination is delivered regularly by our institutional Equity offices. You can find this training on the SuccessFactors Learning system, on the Institutional Equity Office Events Calendar, or by contacting any of the offices listed above.
Additional Supports
In addition to the resources provided by our Divisional HR Offices and Equity Offices, staff, faculty, and librarians have access to the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), offered through LifeWorks. This is a free, confidential counselling service available for staff, faculty, librarians, and their families whenever they need it. You can reach out to LifeWorks directly at any time by calling 1-855-597-2110. Information on the program is available on the People Strategy, Equity & Culture website.