Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

VP Academic

VP Academic / Equity, Diversity and Inclusion / EDI Resources

EDI Resources

The Provost’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Initiative has partnered with the SFU Library to develop an EDI resource guide. This EDI guide is made up of curated resources to help you think more deeply about EDI and understand how these concepts are central to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive SFU community.

Additional materials and resources include:

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)

Simon Fraser University is a founding employer partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI). CCDI helps employers effectively address the full picture of diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace.

CCDI’s mission is to help those we work with be inclusive, free of prejudice and discrimination, and to generate awareness, dialogue and action helping people to recognize diversity as an asset and not an obstacle.

As part of the partnership, staff and faculty have access to a free webinar series that provide invaluable insight into the latest thinking about diversity and inclusion in Canada. Topics include:

  • Equity vs. equality
  • Cultural competence
  • LGBTQ2+ Intersectionality
  • Transition in the workplace

Staff and Faculty are also invited to attend free, in-person events as a part of the CCDI Community of Practice.

Membership also includes access to CCDI’s Knowledge Repository - an eLibrary containing recorded webinars, as well as over 1,000 of the latest Canadian-specific diversity and inclusion reports, research articles, and news. Access to the Knowledge Repository is available to all SFU employees. Any employee who would like access can email their request to kr@ccdi.ca with the subject line: “Add to Knowledge Repository”.

To sign-up for webinars, complete the following steps:

For more information, please contact Suman Jiwani, Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion pro tem, Faculty Relations at suman_jiwani@sfu.ca or Rosie Dhaliwal, Specialist, Diversity & Inclusion and Education, Human Resources at rosie_dhaliwal@sfu.ca.

EDI Definitions

 

INCLUSION


Inclusion refers to belonging.  When you belong, you are accepted for the unique traits that make you different from other people, and you accept others for theirs. This means that you do not have to change or hide parts of yourself to ‘fit in’. You can be flexible in your approach to building relationships across differences – both to be yourself and to meet others as they are.  Achieving inclusion is the shared responsibility of everyone.
EQUITY


Equity is about fairness.  Equity recognizes differences and takes those differences into account to ensure a fair outcome.  This is different from equality, which is treating everyone the same.  Equity recognizes that injustices have occurred and continue to occur, and involves removing barriers, biases, and obstacles that impede equal access and opportunity to succeed.

 
DIVERSITY

 

Diversity involves respect. Diversity is a respectful acknowledgement of the many ways in which we are different.  At the heart of diversity is an invitation to learn more about different world views, philosophies, practices and ways of being. It is about moving beyond simple tolerance to authentically engaging the rich differences of each of us. It is about understanding each other.

 

EDI Resource Guide

Reconciliation; SFU Aboriginal Reconciliation Council Reports and Updates

Accessible Events

Implicit Bias

Mentoring

Microaggressions

Pronouns

Student Support

General

Join in the community conversation about belonging, inclusion, fairness and respect at SFU.

It’s Time to Listen, Talk and Reflect Conversation Tools

Here are some guides and tools to encourage and support conversations around the ideas of belonging, inclusion, fairness and respect at SFU, including:

NCFDD Mentoring for Faculty, Post-docs and Graduate Students

SFU has joined the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) as an Institutional Member. The NCFDD is an independent professional development organization dedicated to supporting academics throughout their careers by providing professional development, training, and mentoring resources.

The Institutional Membership is open to all SFU faculty members, graduate students, and post-docs and includes on-demand access to NCFDDs online, equity-based mentoring tools and resources, professional development courses, and work-life balance supports.

SFU has obtained this membership as part of the EDI Initiative and in response to the Salary Equity Recommendation Committee report (2016). NCFDD programming is intended to supplement other mentorship and professional development opportunities.

Areas of professional development include:

  • Dissertation Success curriculum 
  • Cultivating Your Network of Mentors, Sponsors, & Collaborators
  • Mastering Academic Time Management

SFU is committed to supporting the academic and career goals of our faculty, post-docs and graduate students.

To activate your NCFDD account, complete the following steps:

If you have any questions about the membership, please contact Suman Jiwani, Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion pro tem, Faculty Relations at suman_jiwani@sfu.ca. If you have any technical questions, please email NCFDD at Membership@FacultyDiversity.org.

Principles Guiding Community Conversations at SFU

Transparency

  • Our hope is to be clear about the objectives, scope, outcomes, and parameters of these conversations, including any constraints or boundaries.

Inclusive Participation 

  • Strive to use outreach methods that are accessible and inviting to all community members.
  • Reach out to a wide diversity of people, groups, and organizations. 
  • Invite university community members to participate in person, online, in groups, or as individuals.
  • Seek input when designing engagement opportunities.
  • Provide participants with information that is objective, clear, and accurate, in a variety of formats and in a timely manner. 
  • Apply inclusive event planning principles.

Establish a welcoming and supportive environment for participants

  • Set expectations for respectful dialogue.
  • Acknowledge emotional trauma and provide information about support. 
  • Address concerns about privacy.

Establish Expectations for Engagement in Conversations

  • Use active listening.
  • Be aware of one’s social position and privilege.
  • Recognize and acknowledge the difficult nature of the discussions and the personal levels of disclosure.

Establish timelines 

  • Ensure time is provided for respectful engagement thorough listening, speaking, reflecting, and discussing.

Student Support Services

Equipping SFU students with knowledge, skills, and experiences that prepare them for life in an ever-changing and challenging world is central to SFU’s strategic vision. This quick reference list of some frequently used SFU resources for students is intended to support students during the course of their studies, so that they can succeed and thrive.

Centre for Accessible Learning
778.782.3112
caladmin@sfu.ca
https://www.sfu.ca/students/accessible-learning/

The CAL provides disability related information and support. The Centre can recommend academic accommodations to students as well as assist students and faculty in the implementation of disability-related services.

Health & Counselling (HCS)
Burnaby: 778.782.4615
Vancouver: 778.782.5200
Surrey: 778.782.5200
http://www.sfu.ca/students/health/

The team of doctors, nurses, counsellors, psychiatrists, & health promotion specialists collectively and positively influence student health & well-being. Doctor and counselling appointments available in Burnaby and Vancouver. Counselling available by appointment in Surrey.

My SSP (Student Support Program)
1.844.451.9700
Outside North America call 001.416.380.6578
https://www.sfu.ca/students/health/support/mental-health/my-ssp

My SSP is available 24/7, via app or phone, to all SFU students (graduate, undergraduate and post-doc).  Students can access immediate and ongoing, confidential mental health and well-being support. Available in multiple languages from North America or abroad.

Human Rights Office (HRO)
778.782.4446
Marie Brunell, Director
mbrunell@sfu.ca
http://www.sfu.ca/humanrights

The HRO handles complaints from students, staff, and faculty under SFU's human rights policy which prohibits discrimination and harassment.

Indigenous Student Centre (ISC)
778.782.6929
ask_isc@sfu.ca
http://www.sfu.ca/students/indigenous/

The ISC is a welcoming gathering space that provides holistic student support and services to Indigenous students.

International Student Services
778.782.4232
Iss_office@sfu.ca
https://www.sfu.ca/students/iss

ISS offers supports and services to international students and to students seeking info regarding international learning opportunities. ISS works with faculty wishing to develop international and intercultural learning opportunities.

Ombudsperson
778.782.4563
ombuds@sfu.ca
http://www.sfu.ca/ombudsperson

The Ombudsperson is an independent, impartial and confidential resource for students. Provides information and guidance on students' rights and responsibilities in relation to SFU policies and practices.

Safety & Risk Services (SRS)
Emergency: 778.782.4500
General Enquiries: 778.782.3100 https://www.sfu.ca/srs

The SRS team responds to incidents involving safety and risk and supports individuals impacted by incidents that affect their safety or wellbeing.

Safe Walk
Burnaby: 778.782.3100
Surrey: 778.782.7070
Vancouver: 778.782.5029
http://www.sfu.ca/srs/safewalk

The Safe Walk Program provides a security escort to support individual safe travel on campus 24/7.

Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office (SVSPO)
778.782.7233
sv-support@sfu.ca
https://www.sfu.ca/sexual-violence

The SVSPO is a trauma informed and survivor-centered service which offers support to campus community members impacted by sexual violence and misconduct, regardless of when or where the incident took place. It offers confidential support, information and referrals at any SFU campus or an alternate location. The SVSPO also provides educational programming and initiatives.

Student Conduct Office
778.782.9456 or 778.782.6601
sco@sfu.ca
https://www.sfu.ca/students/studentconduct

The office works with a multi-disciplinary team to respond to incidents of student crisis or threat and provides consultation services, support and education to the SFU community on the identification and response to concerning behavior. Issues of non-academic misconduct can be reported to the SCO.

Student Learning Commons (SLC)
Burnaby/Vancouver: 778.782.4648
Surrey: 778.782.7614
Burnaby/Vancouver: learning-commons@sfu.ca
Surrey: slc-surrey@sfu.ca
https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/slc

The SLC offers expert and friendly help with academic writing, learning, and study strategies in an environment of collaboration, discussion, and peer learning.