Diversity and Inclusion Training

What is Diversity?Diversity includes all the ways in which

people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that

make one individual or group different from another.

What are some examples of DIVERSITY at McMaster?

• Age• Gender• Sexual Orientation• Program of Study• Religion• Country of Origin

• Learning styles• Family status• Income• Language• Race and Ethnicity• Ability

Diversity is both visible and invisible.

What is Inclusivity?

The act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and offers respect in words and actions for all people.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion at McMaster

The Office of Human Rights and Equity Services (HRES)

• Purpose: Work with campus and community members to ensure that McMaster University is a place where all students, staff and faculty can learn, work and live in an inclusive and barrier-free environment that fosters equality, respect and accessibility.

Members of the HRES Team

The Office of Human Rights and Equity Services (HRES)

What Do They Do for Students?– Offer education opportunities, address

harassment and discrimination complaints and work to make Mac a more accessible place.

– If you have a Human Rights Complaint, you can speak to a Human Rights Officer (HRO). Conversations with an HRO are CONFIDENTIAL

• They are located in: MUSC 212

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards

• Promotes student rights and responsibilities by administering the Student, Residence and Athletic Codes of Conduct

• Students can commit a MINOR offence and a MAJOR offence– Minor: actions that go against our community standards

(e.g. Excessive noise, disruptive behaviour)– Major: actions that endanger the safety/security of others

(theft, threatening verbal non-verbal communication)

• As members of the Mac community, we each have rights and responsibilities:– A RIGHT: a freedom that is protected– A RESPONSIBILITY: a duty or something you should do

Security Services

• Work to protect the persons and property within the McMaster community

• Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• Red Assistance Poles– Located in various places on

campus– One activated, it connects

directly to Security Services and the blue light flashes Example of a Red

Assistance Pole

PACBIC

• President’s Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community–Work to identify and anticipate issues

affecting equity-seeking communities– Discuss, reflect and learn about issues of

inclusion, equity and community-building

– Create space for respectful debate on important social issues

Want to learn more? Click here for their 2012 – 2013 Annual Report

HOW DOES THIS FIT IN WITH WELCOME WEEK?

Welcome Week Guiding Principles

• There are 5 guiding principles which define our values in the creation of the Welcome Week experience and successful transition of first year students.

• They are:– Equality– Freedom of Choice– Celebration of Diversity– Respect for Individuality– Privacy

What does that mean?

• As Reps, you will need to make many decisions throughout Welcome Week– Do I wear flip flops or sneakers today?– What t-shirt do I wear?

And more seriously...– Do I help the student on crutches find

the accessible access point to our next event or do I stay with my group?

– Do I speak to my fellow rep who is walking around with an offensive sign or just let it slide?

We want everyone to have the best Welcome Week experience possible!

We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone feels safe and secure during

Welcome WeekSo, we need to recognize the impact of our

actions and words at all times and work to act and speak in an inclusive way.

The Impact of Our Actions• As Welcome Week Reps, we are leaders. The choices

we make will impact on the beliefs, feelings and participation of the first year students.

Consider the Three C’s 1. Be Considerate: Everyone is different. The needs

and wants of First Years throughout Welcome Week are diverse. Work to make sure everyone can participate to their comfort level. Work to remove barriers as you see them.

2. Be Compassionate: Don`t make assumptions. Ask questions and value their response.

3. Be Creative: Work to remove barriers so that all students can participate and enjoy their Welcome Week experience.

The Impact of Our Words

Respectful Communication =

Inclusive Communication

Ways you can use inclusive language:• use “person first” language (e.g. Person with a disability)• Let all people speak for themselves rather than assuming

what they want or think• Use the phrase “partner” or “spouse”• Mention age only when it’s relevant• Avoid using adjectives as nouns (e.g. “the deaf”; use

instead “student who is deaf”)

Have a greatWelcome Week!