SDG 10: Reduce Inequality

Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to creating a culture of inclusion where our community feels accepted and can experience a powerful sense of belonging. To advance SDG 10, we strive to provide barrier-free, welcoming and affirming learning and working environments and engage in activities that enable all people to fully participate in every aspect of day-to-day life at the university and beyond.

Highlights of Progress

The work that Laurier completed in 2023 to advance SDG 10.

'Diverse representation matters:’ Laurier hosts second annual Increasing Teacher Diversity event

Laurier is working to broaden the diversity of Ontario’s pool of teachers. Its second annual Increasing Teacher Diversity event had a special focus on recruiting future educators from equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous students.

Laurier honoured for EDI efforts at global Triple E Awards

Laurier was honoured for its sustainability and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) efforts at the 2023 Global Entrepreneurship and Engagement Excellence Awards in Higher Education, held in Barcelona, Spain. The Triple E Awards acknowledge the contributions of universities in their communities and are open to institutions around the world.

Laurier supports international students every step of the way, from prospect to alumni

Student success is at the heart of Laurier’s internationalization efforts, which are centred on attracting and supporting engaged international students at every step of their academic journey. With an international population representing about 6% of Laurier’s total student body (2022 Registrar’s report), Laurier’s goal is to grow the number of international students while ensuring international student growth is sustainable, ethical and aligned with the student experience the university is known for.

Tracey-Mae Chambers’s #hopeandhealingcanada exhibition comes to Laurier’s Robert Langen Art Gallery

Renowned Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers brought her artwork that explores decolonization in the pursuit of Truth and Reconciliation to the Robert Langen Art Gallery at Laurier’s Waterloo campus in the exhibition #hopeandhealingcanada.

Laurier teaching candidate Kiara Daw fostering EDI in education through inspired research

While studying the experiences of Black high school students as part of her master’s degree, Kiara Daw learned that her passion lies at the intersection of education and EDI efforts. Through Laurier’s work-study program, she worked with the Office of the Associate Vice-President: EDI to develop an inclusive research course. Now, while pursuing her Bachelor of Education degree, she continues to immerse herself in EDI-centred research at Laurier.

Laurier undergraduate student finds queer community on campus through research and advocacy

In her research paper titled “Limp Wrists, Clenched Fists,” Neha Verma studied the use of queer performance art as a tool for political resistance. She felt uplifted by queer artists who channeled their oppression into drag and parody, using humour and eroticism to resist bigotry.

Laurier recognized for data-driven approach to equity, diversity and inclusion work

The Government of Canada recognized Laurier as a Dimensions institution at the Construction stage. The Construction designation recognizes that Laurier is strategically addressing EDI in a coordinated way, has engaged in critical self-assessment and reflection, and has developed and implemented an action plan.

Equity case work and support coordinator assists Laurier students experiencing systemic, interpersonal harm

As part of Laurier’s focus on fostering a diverse and inclusive community, the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management created a role to provide equity-focused support to students, staff and faculty experiencing systemic and interpersonal forms of harm, which disproportionally impact those from equity-deserving groups.

Laurier celebrates World Refugee Day

June 20 marks World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe and celebrate the strength and courage of those who have been forced to flee their home countries to escape war, conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an opportunity to build empathy and understanding for the plight of refugees and recognize their resilience as they rebuild their lives.

Laurier alum Brent Kaulback awarded Meritorious Service Medal for work to amplify Indigenous storytelling, revitalize languages

When Brent Kaulback (BA ’75) left Toronto and moved to the Northwest Territories, it was only supposed to be for a year or two. He was a teacher looking for adventure and excited to see other parts of Canada. Almost 40 years later, he’s still there – and he has made profound contributions to life in the North. Kaulback was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) by Governor General Mary Simon during a ceremony held at Rideau Hall on June 21, 2023, National Indigenous People’s Day. Kaulback was recognized for his work amplifying Indigenous storytelling and revitalizing Indigenous languages by publishing more than 300 children’s books and a series of dictionaries incorporated into school curriculum.

Research Centres

Laurier research centres advancing SDG 10.

International Migration Research Centre

The International Migration Research Centre (IMRC) serves as a node of excellence in scholarship and research, social and cultural debate, and policy formulation pertaining to international migration. The IMRC's mission is to create platforms for debate, research, policy analysis, community engagement and proposal development related to international migration and mobility at global, national, regional and local scales.

Laurier Centre for Community Research, Learning and Action

The Centre for Community Research, Learning and Action (CCRLA) is an interdisciplinary research centre located in Laurier’s Faculty of Science. The centre's work is focused on developing community partnerships and producing research, learning and action that advances community well-being and social justice. CCRLA facilitates community-based research by brokering linkages between community partners and Laurier student and faculty researchers. CCRLA provides an activity centre for social policy development and community action. The defining feature of the centre is its commitment to collaborative processes between university, community, industry and policy partners that honour the unique wisdom and skills of the non-academic community.

Initiatives

Laurier initiatives in 2023 that advanced SDG 10.

Tracking applications and admissions of underrepresented groups

Laurier tracks both applications and admissions of all applicant groups, including those who are underrepresented. Some indicators are publicly reported through Common University Data Ontario and Laurier’s Registrar’s Reports.

Laurier is a thriving academic community where EDI and Indigeneity are part of our core values as a learning institution. Laurier’s Strategic Action Plan and Academic Plan include commitment to diversify its student body and increase representation of students historically underrepresented on campus. Laurier’s EDI Strategic Plan highlights Laurier’s use of an EDI Data Specialist to collect, analyze and track demographic student data, including data on student applicants. The EDI Data Specialist develops and implement plans to address differential outcomes identified through data analysis with a view to identifying and reducing barriers to student success and wellness, including funding, bursaries and scholarships for students and student-athletes from equity-deserving groups.

Actions to recruit students, staff and faculty from underrepresented groups

The Laurier Strategy sets the mission for the institution that is guided by two distinct strategic themes: thriving community and future-readiness. As part of the thriving community theme, Laurier recognizes the importance of creating an inclusive community. Laurier excels at creating a culture of engagement that develops the whole person and builds reciprocal community relationships by fostering a highly personalized, equitable, diverse and inclusive community in which all members can experience the powerful sense of belonging that has distinguished Laurier throughout its history. The institution also seeks to integrate Indigenous knowledge and practices across the university.

By embracing the values of EDI, Laurier will be better equipped to attract, retain and advance the kind of talented staff, students and faculty who will move the university forward in new and exciting ways. To enhance the diversity of our community, Laurier has developed the following initiatives:

• Laurier has taken a step toward Indigenization, reconciliation and EDI by hiring six new Black faculty members and four new Indigenous faculty members through the Inclusive Excellence Initiative, with additional appointments of two Indigenous scholars in the coming years. These scholars will enhance research and teaching excellence at Laurier and strengthen collaborative and interdisciplinary initiatives. The Inclusive Excellence initiative is part of Laurier’s broader Faculty Rejuvenation efforts to advance strategic academic and research goals, enhance academic excellence and student experience, and strengthen collaborative and interdisciplinary initiatives.
• As part of Laurier's commitment to EDI, the Canada Research Chair (CRC) Program EDI Action Plan outlines how Laurier intends to identify, prevent and remove barriers to inclusion for those who identify as women, having disabilities, racialized, Indigenous and part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the CRC Program. As part of this program, Laurier must recruit and retain individuals who identify as women, having disabilities, racialized, Indigenous and part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to meet established targets.
• Laurier’s Undergraduate Indigenous Admission Policy encourages recruitment of Indigenous students. If an Indigenous student’s admission average is below the minimum admission average required for a program (to a minimum of 70%), the student may be eligible for admission through Laurier’s Undergraduate Indigenous Admission Policy. To be considered for admission, they must provide a written personal statement outlining work experience, achievements, educational goals and why the student believes they will be successful in postsecondary studies.
• Laurier understands that many refugees coming to Canada have unique situations and varied educational backgrounds. It may be be difficult for refugees residing in Canada to meet program requirements or have access to their required documents for admission, but they may still be eligible to complete studies at Laurier. The institution is committed to working with refugee applicants to help determine the best program that suits their academic goals. Laurier's Refugee Policy is a unique option for protected persons to receive the opportunity for direct admission, including entrance scholarships and transfer credits.
• Laurier has partnered with World Education Services (WES) to offer the Gateway Program to displaced persons who do not have standard proof of their academic achievement due to adverse circumstances in their country of education. Through the Gateway Program, WES can reliably assess and validate the education of international applicants who have been displaced by political unrest, conflict or natural disasters, and who do not have complete, verified documents. As a partner with WES, Laurier recognizes credential evaluation completed through the WES Gateway Program.
• For over 40 years, the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program has combined resettlement with opportunities for higher education for student refugees. The WUSC program at Laurier began in 1985, with the first refugee students arriving in 1991. Through the Laurier WUSC Scholarship, refugee students receive support to cover tuition and living expenses for four years. The scholarship is funded by an $8 annual student levy, the Office of the President and the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association. The WUSC student committee, which operates at Laurier’s Brantford and Waterloo campuses, provides peer support to help refugee students acclimate to their life and studies at Laurier.
• International Students Overcoming War is a student-led and student-funded humanitarian initiative at Laurier. This program responds to war's devastating impacts by providing full scholarships to students from conflict areas. It also educates Laurier students about the impacts of international conflicts by promoting intercultural learning and globally engaged citizenship.
• Laurier is a member of the global Scholars at Risk Network. The Visiting Researcher - Scholars at Risk Program was established to support scholars who are facing threats to their life, liberty or academic career, and/or have been forced to leave their academic position because of such threats. The program is fully remote and will allow scholars to remotely re-engage with academia after being pushed outside the university environment. The Visiting Researcher - Scholars at Risk Program assists Laurier faculty and students in creating and strengthening opportunities for research and collaborative engagement with scholars in areas of mutual interest. Scholars eligible for this program will have a Visiting Researcher appointment.
• Laurier is a signatory on the Scarborough Charter. By signing the charter, Laurier committed itself to compile baseline data to gauge levels of (under)representation and provide demographics on Black faculty, staff and students, and to foster inclusive teaching and research, community engagement, and representative and inclusive governance practices.
• Laurier is committed to creating a culture of inclusion where all members feel accepted and can experience a powerful sense of belonging. The institution’s Human Resources Office engages in many actions to recruit staff and faculty from underrepresented groups. These include:
  • Partnership with the following groups:
    • Immigration Partnership
    • Coalition of Muslim Women
    • Nation Talk
    • Grand River Employment and Training (GREAT)
    • Six Nations and Mississaugas of the New Credit Employment Centre
    • Employment Ontario
    • The Working Centre
    • Lutherwood
    • YMCA Immigrant Service
• The University Employment Equity Advisory Committee (UEEAC) is an ongoing advisory team comprised of employees interested in working on employment equity-related initiatives. The group identifies barriers to employment equity and provides support and feedback to administration on resource development and initiative planning. UEEAC is comprised of four working groups including the Women and LGBTQ2S+ Working Group, Indigenous Persons Working Group, Persons with Disabilities Working Group and Racialized Persons Working Group.

Office in support of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Laurier prioritizes enhancing EDI through university-wide strategic initiatives and is actively working to increase the diversity of our students, staff and faculty. The Office of the Associate Vice-President, EDI offers resources and training for faculty, staff and students on embedding EDI into research, teaching, service and professional practice. As Laurier's current AVP: EDI, Andrea Davis is responsible for implementing Laurier’s Strategic Plan for EDI and engaging with equity-deserving groups, delivering strategic expertise to the multicampus academic and administrative units. Davis also directs the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management to advance supports for Laurier students and communities.

Mentoring programs to support students, staff and faculty from underrepresented groups

Laurier is committed to ensuring the success of all member of our community, including historically underrepresented groups. A number of initiatives have been put in place, including:

• Laurier's EDI faculty colleague brings recognized disciplinary knowledge and understanding of EDI, including expertise in related research, scholarly work and assessment practices in the field. Working closely with the AVP: EDI, the EDI faculty colleague:
  • Mentors and provides support to faculty and librarians from underrepresented groups experiencing barriers to inclusion;
  • Initiates activities to promote discussion and understanding of EDI;
  • Assists with institutional research to better understand the experiences of those from equity-seeking groups at Laurier;
  • Participates as a member of Laurier's EDI community-of-practice and the bilateral University-Association Employment Equity Advisory Committee (Article 22.5); and
  • Assists in developing and delivering EDI-related training initiatives.
• Women’s faculty colleagues provide support, information and events related to issues affecting female faculty members, and offer direct support and advice to female faculty around equity issues. Working closely with the AVP: EDI, women's faculty colleagues initiate activities within the university to promote discussion and understanding of issues affecting women-identified faculty.
• The Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CSEDI) works to cultivate a culture on campus that respects and promotes EDI and social justice in all aspects of Laurier, from classrooms to residence communities. Students can find support and mentorship related to race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, spirituality, ability and culture through personal support, mentorship and education. Student services and groups offer safer spaces for students (and their allies) and various mentorship opportunities:
  • Black Student Services and Associations
  • Middle Eastern Students Associations
  • Muslim Students Associations
  • Student Advocates for Accessibility
  • Rainbow Centre
  • Queer Sphere
  • Centre for Women and Trans People
  • Laurier Brantford Women’s Centre

Accessible facilities

Laurier is building a more accessible built environment by embedding accessibility into our foundational plans. This includes the Accessibility Plan, Capital Plan, Campus Master Plan, Landscape Master Plan, Signage Guidelines and Parking Plan. Through the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification, Laurier employees have been trained to be Accessibility Assessors and audit the current built environment. Notable highlights on some ways Laurier is building a more accessible built environment include:

Accessible parking spaces

Laurier's campuses offer designated accessible parking spots in most of our visitor and permit lots. These spaces are clearly identified by the Ministry of Transportation symbol on a posted sign and/or marked pavement.

• Brantford campus map
• Waterloo campus map
• Laurier’s Kitchener location includes accessible spots located in the parking lot behind the building. The adjacent door has an automatic door operator and easy access to the elevator.

Service animals on campus

Laurier welcomes persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal on our campuses as per our 7.2 Animals on Campus policy.

Campus waste and recycling units

As part of her research and pilot project, Laurier student Hilary Scanlon created a series of rubber floor signs to help people with vision loss decipher between recycling, garbage or compost bins on the Waterloo campus.

Safety for all

Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Management (SHERM) works together with management, employees, students, and the equity and accessibility officer to provide individualized emergency response plans and accessible formats of emergency and fire safety procedures. Specific building fire evacuation plans – including the use of strobe lights attached to the fire alarm system – have detailed instructions for persons who are unable to evacuate, which may include persons with disabilities.

Capital Plan

Laurier is in the process of completing its first Capital Plan, which lays out constructing history and existing conditions. It also provides a list of significant future capital projects. The Capital Plan provides a list of existing conditions as they relate to accessibility and the need for improvements.

Campus Master Plan

Both the Waterloo and Brantford campus master plans highlight areas where accessibility needs to be addressed in future development. This includes the design of corridors, paths of travel, building entrances and connection between buildings. In developing the new Waterloo Campus Master Plan, stakeholder engagement meetings included the perspective of persons with disabilities and best practices in accessible built environments.

Landscape Master Plan

To develop the Landscape Master Plan, stakeholder engagement meetings were conducted, which included the perspective of persons with disabilities. Accessibility, Indigenization and equity are key principles in the vision of the plan.

Signage guidelines

Developed in 2017, Laurier’s signage guidelines take into consideration best practices in accessibility and compliance with the updated building code regulations. Products which allow for accessible signage have been sourced and are available, and emphasis on improved directional and wayfinding signage is a priority of the plan.

Upskilling

To support internal knowledge and competency in building accessible built environments, Laurier has supported three employees on the Facilities team to complete the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification to become Accessibility Assessors. There are plans to train more employees in the future.

Supports for students with disabilities

Laurier is committed to creating an accessible and barrier-free environment for our students. Laurier offers various accessibility services, mentorship programs and other initiatives to support disabled students, including:

Student Advocates for Accessibility

Student Advocates for Accessibility (SAFA) is a student service creating a more accessible and inclusive campus for all. The collective was founded on continuous experiences of inaccessibility and ableism that are inherent within institutions and systems everywhere. While members all have intersecting identities, they strive to uplift the experiences of those within disabled and chronically ill communities by engaging in conversations about personal experiences and concepts learned from other disability justice advocates, and by creating programming for the Laurier community. SAFA strives to be a safe(r) space and provide peer mentorship, advocacy and education.

Accessible learning services

The Accessible Learning Centre (ALC) provides students with temporary or permanent disabilities access to accommodations that remove barriers and allow opportunities for equal participation. Support is provided in a way that aids students in completing the essential requirements of their courses and program without jeopardizing academic integrity.

Accessibility on campus

Laurier is committed to creating a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities, as well as promoting accessibility and equitable access to services and facilities.

Funding opportunities

Students with disabilities at Laurier may be eligible for funding to help with disability related costs they incur because they are attending university.

OSAP is a government-funded program that helps eligible students pay for their post-secondary education through grants and loans. Students can identify as having a disability by having their health-care provider complete the OSAP Disability Verification form. Visit OSAP for Under-Represented Learners for more information.

The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) helps eligible students pay for disability related services and equipment they require to participate in university studies.

Students not eligible for OSAP or the BSWD may qualify for the Accessible Learning Accommodation Bursary or the Accessible Learning Accommodation Bursary – Graduate Students.

Laurier, supported through donors, endowments and student contributions, established these bursaries to help students with disabilities cover some of their disability related costs incurred while pursuing university studies.

Other Scholarships and Awards

• Laurier Financial Aid
• Laurier’s Scholarships and Awards Search Engine
• Awards for Canadian Postsecondary Students with Disabilities