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- 2022
- YABOME GILPIN-JACKSON NAMED SFU’S FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT, PEOPLE, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
- Message from the Vice-President, People, Equity and Inclusion
- Personnel updates in the VPPEI Portfolio
- Fall 2022 update from the Vice-President, People, Equity and Inclusion
- Supporting members of SFU's Iranian community
- Equity Compass conversations
- STATEMENT FROM THE VP, PEI: ADDRESSING RACISM AND HATE AT SFU
- 2022
- News
- Events
- Updates from the VP People, Equity and Inclusion
- Announcements
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About EDI at SFU
We all deserve an equitable, diverse and inclusive SFU
At Simon Fraser University, we are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive community where all feel welcome, safe, accepted and appreciated. This work is grounded in equity-centred principles and is aligned with SFU's priority to Uphold Truth and Reconciliation - work that will continue to be governed by our SFU Indigenous leadership and community.
The university recently launched the Equity Compass, SFU’s first strategic equity plan. The Compass outlines the focus for SFU’s institutional EDI work over the next five years (2023-2028), including core definitions for EDI, statements of purpose, vision and principles, and key strategic goals that will support a cohesive approach to transforming the SFU experience for our students, faculty, staff and community. The Equity Compass actions will be worked on at the institutional level, led, supported or coordinated by SFU’s inaugural Equity Office.
SFU's Values
Our values guide us as individuals and as an institution. The alignment and, in some cases, apparent tensions between the values encourage us to think carefully about the choices we make. We will embed these values in every decision and every action, and hold ourselves accountable for doing so.
- ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND CRITICAL THINKING: We honour the autonomy of intellectual enquiry and explore ideas with academic rigour.
- EXCELLENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY: We aspire to high standards and truth in information, accountable to one another and the public.
- RESPECT AND RECIPROCITY: We build and sustain relationships with care and a desire for mutual growth.
- EQUITY AND BELONGING: We create an inclusive, supportive, and affirming community, where all thrive.
- ENGAGEMENT AND OPENNESS: We seek and include diverse perspectives and a wide circle of involvement.
- RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY: We steward resources effectively, with the needs of present and future generations in mind.
- INNOVATION AND ADAPTABILITY: We learn, unlearn, and embrace uncertainty through discovery and failure.
The Equity Compass upholds all of SFU’s values and in particular operationalizes the value of equity and belonging.
Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, PhD
Vice-President, People, Equity and Inclusion
Email: vppei_ea@sfu.ca
Samir Traoré, PhD
Executive Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Administrative group
These EDI directors are responsible for delivering on the equity, diversity and inclusion priorities established by the Equity Office and outlined in the Equity Compass.
Suman Jiwani, MSc
Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Faculty Initiatives
Email: suman_jiwani@sfu.ca
Theresa Burley, MPH
Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Strategic Initiatives
Email: theresa_burley@sfu.ca
Jennifer Kandjii, PhD
Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Student Services
Email: jennifer_kandjii@sfu.ca
Special Advisor
Paola Ardiles Gamboa, PhD
Special Projects Advisor to the Vice President, People, Equity and Inclusion
Email: pardiles@sfu.ca
Advisory Council
The mandate of the EDI Advisory Council is to develop an aspirational vision for EDI at SFU that will guide and strengthen our commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces and learning environments, and equitable opportunities for all.
Specific responsibilities of the Advisory Council are to provide advice and guidance to the President on the following:
- developing an aspirational vision statement for EDI at SFU
- high-level, strategic reflections on EDI-related priorities
- communication strategies and outreach
- data collection and analysis
- programs and policies
- opportunities and systemic barriers
- university responsibilities
Composition
The EDI Advisory Council is composed of members including faculty, staff and students. The aim is to have diverse representation of career and educational stages, and experiences that reflect the diversity of our staff, faculty, and students, with a minimum of seven faculty members, seven staff and seven students. Rather than representing constituencies, EDI Advisory Council members will be asked to work together to consider the needs of the entire university and serve as EDI champions.
The EDI Advisory Council is co-chaired by Joy Johnson, president and vice-chancellor, and a volunteer from the council. Members of the executive subcommittee and administrative group serve as ex-officio members. The final approval of the slate of the advisory council will be made by the SFU Executive.
The term of the EDI Advisory Council is one year.
2023 Appointees
Faculty
Sherryl Bisgrove
Donald Estep
Rachel Fouladi
Maya Gislason
Adel Iskandar
Paul Li
Lesley Shannon
Venecia Williams
Natahnee Winder
Staff
Aslam Bulbulia
Dorothy Cucw-la7 Christian
William Gill
Shaheen Nanji
Alda O'Grady
Judy Smith
Dal Sohal
Valerie Spicer
Javier Tavitas
Nadia Van
Leah Weiner
Students
Evan Accettola
Tiara Cash
Olivia Nieves Echevarria
Nathan Grandjambe
Berthier Kyobela
Christina Lam
Gem Lee
Sonia Orlu
Vicki Parnell
Grace Shaw
Carolyn Tinglin
Kyle Yeung
Meeting Schedule
The Advisory Council will meet three to four times a year. The 2023 meeting schedule for the Advisory Council is as follows:
Fri, Apr 21 from 1.00 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.
Wed, Jul 5 from 9.30 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.
Wed, Nov 15 from 9.30 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.
Wed, Feb 14 from 9.30 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.
Meeting minutes for the 2022 Advisory Council can be found here.