Updated April 2021
The University is undertaking key strategic initiatives with the overarching mission of dismantling institutional Anti-Black Racism and reimagining our structures, processes, procedures, systems, services and culture to create a safer, more just, and more positive campus experience for the Black members of the university community.
Data-Driven Accountability
Purpose
(a) To actively engage the Black communities on campus to learn about student, staff, and faculty experiences of Anti-Black Racism across UWindsor; and (b) identify, review, and recommend policies, programs, pedagogical practices, research, and other concrete actions that foster and support equitable, safe, and engaging environments for Black students, staff, and faculty on campus.
Current Status
- Task Force membership finalized
- Chairs elected: Professor Camisha Sibblis and Jessica Bona-Mensah
- Subcommittees have been established
Next Steps
- Report with final Calls to Action to be produced by Summer 2021
Questions?
Contact Marium Tolson-Murtty, Strategic Planning Officer, Anti-Black Racism
Purpose
Building on the work of the Racialized Data Collection Framework Working Group, the University has formed the Rapid Action Unit (RAU) to expedite the Racialized Data Collection initiative. This team consists of Dr. Clinton Beckford, Dr. Phebe Lam, and Lorraine Grondin. The RAU will lead the larger Racialized Data Collection Implementation Steering Committee (RDC-ISC) comprising stakeholders across campus. The purpose of this committee is to consultatively develop and implement the process to collect and store racialized data as well as the mechanisms by which these data are reported.
Current Status
- RAU which leads the Implementation Steering Committee (ISC) has completed an initial meeting to review the information that has currently been collected
- We have established the Implementation Committee and will begin monthly meetings starting May 4th
- The Project Coordinator begins May 1st
- Consultation Meetings with stakeholders will begin mid-May
- Technical progress: The Student Diversity Survey Tile for Phase 1 racialized data collection is on UWinsite and is being tested and modified
- Please note that due to the start of the UWinsite Student Upgrade Project, any technological changes are on hold until the end of November
- Tentative Timeline: Communication Campaign will begin July 2021. Live Launch of the Student Diversity Survey tile on UWinsite will be September 2021
Next Steps
- Reviewing summaries of the information collected to identify gaps and best practices
- Identifying communication, collaboration and consultation processes for moving this important work forward
- Reaching out to other institutional partners to determine best practice
- Investigating technical solutions for collecting and reporting racialized data
- Developing communication package
- Conducting the data collection survey
Questions?
Contact Tony Vo, Project Coordinator
Equity of Opportunity for Black Faculty & Students
Diversifying Campus Voices & Leadership: Black Scholars Hiring Initiative
Purpose
To increase the number of Black faculty members participating across all areas of the university.
Current Status
- 12 Black scholars will be hired by 2023
- Working with BIPOC Consulting to develop strategic approach to diversified hiring
- Provost’s office is mapping forward planning of faculty hiring needs and opportunities with deans
Next Steps
- Consultation with Senate and the ABR Task Force planned for February 2021
Questions?
Contact Daniella Beaulieu, Executive Director, Academic Initiatives, Provost's Office
Purpose
- Provide opportunities to support Black scholarship
- Support the development of Black-focused courses and programs and pedagogies that address racism and anti-Black Racism
- Provide research and leadership opportunities for Black students
- Provide professional development funds
Current Status
- Calls will begin to launch January 31st, 2021
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Black Scholarship
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Research Grants
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Anti-Racist and Black-Focused Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Grants
- Anti-Racism Pedagogies Teaching Leadership Chair
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Leadership and Research Opportunities for Black Students
- Student Leadership Experience Fund
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Professional Development focused on addressing Anti-Black Racism and for Black staff and faculty
- Professional Development Fund
Next Steps
- Launch of all grants by June 2021
Questions?
Contact Marium Tolson-Murtty Strategic Planning Officer, Anti-Black Racism
Purpose
The University of Windsor has established a $250,000 goal for the new Black Student Scholarship Initiative that will begin to support Black-identified students in Fall 2021. To achieve this milestone, the University is committed to matching the first $125,000.
Current Status
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$105,250 has been raised, resulting in $230,250 in scholarship funds. For more information, please visit https://www.uwindsor.ca/supportuwindsor/black-student-scholarship-initiative
Questions?
Contact Gemma Grey-Hall, Acting Director, Advancement
Building Capacity & Competency for Challenging Racism
To learn more about the Anti-Black Racism Training & Educational Framework, view the document here.
Purpose
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To raise awareness and understanding of Anti-Black Racism, whether intentional, unconscious or systemic
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To build capacity and competency at the individual and organizational level to challenge racism and support individual/organizational change
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To develop and implement proactive and remedial strategies to deal with Anti-Black Racism.
Current Status
- Foundational and Enhanced Learning programs (launched Fall 2020)
- Online resources (launched Fall 2020)
- Transformative Learning Program (Launching Spring 21)
- Enhancing Curriculum and Research (grant-funding, preliminary program launching January 21 as Anti-Black Racism Initiatives Fund)
- Mandatory ABR training for Board members and Academic Leadership
- First sessions offered to Academic leadership in November 2020 by Dr. Joy Mighty Title
- Board of Governors retreat held on January 23rd, 2021 with Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard
Next Steps
- Develop programming designed for students and student groups
- Expansion of existing programming to reflect emerging needs of community
- Next ABR training session for Academic Leadership planned for March 5th, 2021 with Joy deGruy
Questions?
Contact Kaye Johnson, Executive Director, Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility
Review and Revision of Procedures and Policies
Purpose
A review of the Procedures for Addressing Student Non-Academic Misconduct
Current Status
- Completed assessment by an external consultant of the Procedures against the legal and regulatory framework within which they operate, as well as a comparison of the Procedures with similar procedures at other Ontario universities resulting in External Consultant's Report.
- University community invited by email and Daily News to provide anonymous written feedback on report or meet directly with the external consultant (dates).
- Committee established to draft revisions to procedures
Next Steps
- Revise procedures using a procedural fairness and equity lens
- Seek additional feedback from the campus community on the draft revision; and)
- Further revise the Procedures based on this additional feedback
- Further campus consultation on revised draft
Questions?
Contact Daniella Beaulieu, Executive Director (Academic Initiatives), Office of the Provost
Purpose
To establish a new independent office that will be responsible for addressing infractions related to the Student Code of Conduct, Academic Integrity, Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct, Sexual Misconduct Response & Prevention, or for conflict mediation and resolution.
Current Status
- The Office of Student Experience will no longer have responsibility for investigation and discipline stemming from student misconduct
- Until the establishment of that independence office, the Office of the Provost will be responsible for investigation and discipline stemming from alleged student misconduct
Next Steps
- Campus consultation led by Dr. Mohsan Beg, Executive Director of Student Health, Counselling & Wellness to identify the appropriate mandate, structure, and resources for new office
- Environmental scan of similar structural organizations across the country
Questions?
Contact Mohsan Beg, Executive Director, Student Health, Counselling & Wellness Services
Purpose
- To review processes, policies and procedures in view of obligations under OHRC guidelines
Current Status
- OHREA and the University Secretariat are reviewing policies and procedures pursuant to the December 18th, 2020 letter from the Ontario Human Rights Commission. The letter reminds institutions that they have a responsibility to ensure appropriate policies and practices are in place to address discrimination and harassment and to monitor them to eliminate adverse impacts and discriminatory elements, including ensuring that complaint processes satisfy the six criteria set out by OHRC.
- Report was delivered at Senate in March 2021
- Current initiatives include, but are not limited to: review/revision of policies and procedures related to student misconduct, human rights policy revisions, establishment of a new office responsible for student academic and non-academic misconduct, racialized data collection framework, granular employment equity data regarding racialized groups and, a review of education, diversity and inclusion (EDI) structures and polices, and a number of education and support initiatives including counselling services specifically in support of Black and other racialized groups.
Next Steps
Questions?
Contact Daniella Beaulieu, Executive Director, Academic Initiatives, Provost's Office
Purpose
- To review broader institution-wide equity, diversity and inclusion processes, policies, programs, committees and reporting structures
Current Status
- Planning for external, third-party review underway
- More information to follow
Next Steps
- More information to follow
Questions?
Contact Beverly Hamilton, Chief of Staff, Office of the President