Faculty of Arts and Science PICRDI and TRC Annual Implementation Reports 2019-20
The Faculty of Arts and Science PICRDI (Principal’s Implementation Committee on Racism, Diversity and Inclusion) and TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) Implementation Reports 2019-20 demonstrate that, while EDII initiatives were created and continued from the previous year, the Faculty has taken significant steps to create a climate of inclusion and to increase the number of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity (EDII) related initiatives across all academic units since the 2018-19 reports were submitted.
As parallel implementation documents submitted annually to the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), a number of FAS initiatives are cited in both progress reports. The reports are directly tied to recommendations in the PICRDI Report (2017) and the ֱ Truth and Reconciliation Commission Task Force Final Report Yakwanastahentéha Aankenjigemi Extending the Rafters (2017).
The PICRDI Report 2019-20 highlights the launch of the Faculty's Strategic Plan (2019-2024) with principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) woven throughout as evident in thematic areas identified by the Diversity and Equity Assessment Planning Tool (DEAP). Such areas include: Accountability and Leadership, Climate and Culture, Diversity, Diversification and Academic Programming and Training and Education. The report also highlights the creation of the FAS EDII Implementation Committee. The Committee was formed in Fall 2019 and is made up of students, staff and faculty across a range of units in the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS). The committee meets regularly to discuss EDII initiatives that impact teaching and learning in the Faculty.
The TRC Report 2019-20 outlines Task Force recommendations that the Faculty has seen movement on. We have identified progress for most recommendations, such as, “Take proactive steps to increase Indigenous student, staff, and faculty representation on governance bodies”; however, we recognize that there are recommendations that require continued planning and implementation on the part of the Faculty and we are working towards achieving outlined Indigeneity goals in the upcoming academic year.
These two reports provide snapshots of progress made over the past academic year. As such, we identify activities made in areas such as faculty and staff recruitment, new awards, policies and programs, curriculum, teaching and learning innovations, space transformations, improved representations and communications, and training. The FAS aims to continue making progress on the development of such important initiatives, as we partner with campus-based and community stakeholders.
As we reflect upon those initiatives undertaken from 2019-20, we strive to work with and solicit feedback from undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, community members and alumni. Further, we seek to work closely with under-represented groups, including racialized and Indigenous communities and will ensure that such voices are heard and prioritized as we embark on the next stage in the planning process.