Durham College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Women The Women's Centre at Durham College is a safe and fun place for all genders to meet and dialogue, learn about women's issues and empower one another. The resource library offers a wide variety of brochures, books, journals, magazines, research articles and films. The centre co-ordinates gender-specific programming related to equality issues and violence against women. This includes women’s wellness sessions, an International Women’s Day celebration, and awareness campaigns in recognition of Woman Abuse Awareness Month. A number of wellness recreation programs are also offered through the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, geared specifically to women and those who identify as women. Persons with disabilities (exceptionalities) At Durham College, we are committed to creating a culture where individuals with exceptionalities receive an excellent college education on a campus free of barriers. We are committed to providing friendly, accessible and confidential services, and are focused on meeting the needs of all students and employees with exceptionalities. With that commitment in mind, an accessibility policy was created in September 2015. The purpose of this policy is to establish standards for ensuring that everyone at Durham College experiences an optimal and accessible working and learning environment. Members of visible minorities At Durham College, our approach is to be inclusive and ensure we recognize, celebrate and embrace the richness of diversity in our campus community and beyond. Employees and students who identify as members of a visible minority have become diversity ambassadors who then work together to create awareness campaigns and events that continually expose our campus to different cultures. In 2015, we celebrated Aboriginal Awareness Day, Black History Month, Pangaea, Chinese New Year, Nowruz, Holi, Eid, Ramadan, Mother Language Festival and Vaisakhi. The college has also incorporated major cultural and religious celebration dates in a calendar on both the diversity section of our public website and the main page of the Information Centre for Employees (ICE). Learn more in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZO7Kd3fEaE Aboriginal people Durham College’s Aboriginal Centre embraces teachings from all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, and we strive to recognize and support employees and students through various activities and teachings with the assistance of Elders from all backgrounds. Our commitment to indigenize the campus was evident with the signing of the Indigenous Education Protocol in October 2015. Durham College became one of 18 Ontario colleges, and 44 colleges in Canada to commit to more intentional support of indigenous learning. The protocol highlights the importance of structures and approaches required to address Indigenous Peoples’ learning needs and support self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities. In September 2015, the Aboriginal Working Group was created to advise and assist in the development and implementation of strategies for the advancement and improvement of Indigenous education at Durham College. The membership of this group is comprised of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from the various campus departments. The Aboriginal Working Group: • Disseminates information to various departments within Durham College on matters related to Indigenous Education and the indigenization of the campus • Strategizes toward indigenizing the campus • Continually revises current practices to include Indigenous ways of knowing • Share ideas and build relationships within Durham College and communities Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Two-Spirited and Queer (LGBTQ) The Pride and LGBTQ Centre at Durham College serves as a primary resource for crisis intervention, event information and referral services. The centre is also affiliated with several external organizations including, Rainbow Health Ontario, the 519 Community Centre, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Durham, Community Involved Committee, and the Aids Committee of Durham Region. Many LGBTQ-specific events are hosted by the centre including presentations and speakers’ series about equality issues, transphobia, hate and homophobic motivated violence awareness initiatives, negotiating safety and safety planning. The LGBTQ Centre also operates the Pride Committee, which is responsible for organizing a number of social events for staff and students on campus. Campus Pride Day was celebrated with a number of activities around campus and wrapped up with a drag show. In March 2015, Durham College was recognized with the PFLAG Durham Champion Award for our work launching all-gender washrooms on campus. We have also been recognized for our ongoing work in creating and maintaining inclusive spaces for all LGBTQ individuals. Religion There are a number of religious groups on campus who collaborate on a number of events and educational opportunities. Groups include Chinese Christian Fellowship, Association for Baha’I Studies, Coptic Orthodox, Campus Church, Campus Catholics, Muslim Group, and the Sikh Network. Many awareness and celebration events are held throughout the year to recognize and celebrate the different religions on campus, and annual events include Diwali, Ramadan, Eid, Easter, Holi, Vaisakhi and Rosh Hashanah. One of the more popular religious events held every year is Faith Mosaic, which sees representatives from many faiths work in partnership to inform and educate our campus community about key elements of their religion. There is also a multi-faith calendar posted on the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions’ webpage to inform the community of upcoming major holy days with brief explanations on the significance of those religious observances.

Durham College is committed to maintaining an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. The Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions investigates complaints of discrimination and harassment based on: • Age • Ancestry, colour, race • Citizenship • Ethnic origin • Place of origin • Creed • Disability • Family status • Marital status • Gender identity, gender expression • Receipt of public assistance • Record of offences • Sex • Sexual orientation. Complaints of discrimination and harassment can be made formally or informally. Informal complaint: Information complaints are usually managed through discussion or mediation with the diversity officer. Formal complaint: Formal complaints require a written complaint by the student and will result in a higher level of investigation. In-person visits may be made at the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions located in Room SSB 211-D of the Student Services building. Consultations are confidential and informal complaints are managed with your input. The Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions offers a safe, respectful environment for the informal discussion of discrimination concerns and quick, confidential resolution.

http://www.durhamcollege.ca/info-for/aboriginal-students http://www.durhamcollege.ca/services/services-for-students/diversity/religious-accommodations/multifaith-calendar http://sadcuoit.ca/services/outreach-services/ http://www.durhamcollege.ca/new-notable/campus-life/celebrate-black-history-month-durham-college http://www.durhamcollege.ca/new-notable/college-news/dc-recognized-diversity-immigration-champion-award http://www.durhamcollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/harassment-and-discrimination-policy.pdf http://www.durhamcollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/harassment-and-discrimination-procedure.pdf http://www.durhamcollege.ca/services/services-for-students/diversity/all-gender-washrooms