What is EDI?
Equity is the fair treatment of all community members through the removal of institutionalized barriers and biases.
Diversity is the representation of different worldviews, practices and experiences within a community. Individuals may hold diverse, intersecting identities along dimensions of race, Indigeneity, ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, socioeconomic status, age and abilities.
Inclusion is the valuing and welcome of all community members particularly those in underrepresented groups.
What does the EDI committee do?
The EDI Committee advises CUPFA’s Executive and assists them in advocating for part-time faculty, as well as educating members on a variety of EDI topics and offering confidential support to individual members.
How does the EDI Committee advocate for members?
The EDI Committee liaises with Concordia’s Office of Rights and Responsibilities, Ombuds Office, Equity Office and the Employer on individual cases and advocates for changes to policy that affect members.
How does the EDI Committee advise the CUPFA executive?
The EDI Committee stays informed and vigilant of EDI issues at Concordia and up to date on developments in EDI elsewhere in order to advise the CUPFA executive. We are in regular communication with the executive. Come to us with your thoughts!
How does the EDI Committee inform and educate faculty?
Through workshops for members and sharing resources and content on the CUPFA website.
How do I contact the committee?
Write to us at: edi@cupfa.org
What issues can I discuss with the committee?
We are here to provide you with support and guidance in any issues that may arise in your classroom, within your department or any aspect of the university’s administration or services.
We recommend that you contact us first to discuss situations where you may feel that you’ve been denied fair treatment, been discriminated against, or where racial, gender, or ability membership has not been respected.
Student complaints; requests for accommodation; ways of navigating quickly changing social concerns are just some of the things you can discuss with us.
Are the discussions confidential?
Information may be shared as necessary within the small EDI Committee, but personal identifying information such as your name, department, and sensitive information, e.g. a medical condition or belonging to an equity-seeking group, will not be shared with the CUPFA executive, staff, or others without your permission.
Please note that, without this permission, we may be limited in the assistance we can provide. We will also ask your permission before sharing information with other parties on your behalf, such as the Ombuds Office, Office of Rights and Responsibilities, Equity Office, or the Employer.
Can you help me with seeking a workplace accommodation?
Yes we can assist you in a request for workplace accommodation, and work with you during the process.
Can you advise me on EDI-related issues with my department chair, colleagues, or students such as accusations, misunderstandings, etc?
We can discuss complaints, whether you have a complaint, or a student, colleague, or chair has a complaint against you.
Should I contact you before going to the Equity office, the Ombuds, or the ORR?
Yes, we advise you to contact us before going to these offices.
Can you accompany me to meetings with the employer, the Equity office, the ombuds, Office of Rights and Responsibilities?
Yes, with the permission of all involved we can accompany you to meetings that pertain to your issue.
How do I stay informed of upcoming workshops?
Check your CUPFA email messages regularly (info@cupfa.org)
