Dear Colleagues,
It’s been a busy few weeks and I have some exciting announcements to tell you about.
Last year I formed the President’s Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to provide leadership in creating and fostering an environment that supports and creates best practices, policies, and pedagogy in EDI. During its first year, the Task Force gathered valuable information and engaged in many meaningful discussions. I’d like to thank each member of the Task Force and the seven working groups that were established to research the current state of EDI at UFV, as well as effective practices in EDI. This great work has informed what I am pleased to share with you today: UFV’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan.
The purpose of the Action Plan is to identify and address barriers to equity of access and opportunity for students, faculty, and staff. The plan consists of four overarching goals and thirty-eight action items. This plan is a living document and will be reviewed each year. An annual assessment reporting on deliverables for each action item will be created and shared with the UFV community.
One of the action items is the establishment of an Inclusive Community Fund to be administered through my office. This fund will further UFV’s EDI goals by providing financial support for student- and employee-led EDI initiatives that promote a more informed and inclusive campus community. The proposal process is now open and more information is available on the President’s Office website.
Apply to the Inclusive Community Fund
Please join us on October 8 for a virtual Town Hall, when members of the Task Force will present the Action Plan. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to attend the virtual session live, you can submit a question or feedback to my office, and we’ll also provide a recording following the event. I welcome community dialogue on the plan, and look forward to the ways that we will work together to create change.
Register for the EDI Town Hall
Speaking of Town Hall events, The September 1 Town Hall recording is now available. If you weren’t able to attend, I recommend watching the recording, which had updates on how UFV is keeping our students, faculty and staff safe this fall, as well as updates on UFV’s enrollment and budget.
Finally, last Tuesday was International Literacy Day, and in the most recent guest post on the President’s Blog, Dr. Awneet Sivia addresses the “importance of literacy and its direct relationship to human rights.” I hope you will take the time to read this thought-provoking post, if you have not done so already.
I wish you all a happy and productive September.
Be well, stay safe, and take care.
Joanne MacLean, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor