Polytechnique Montréal
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

In the Déclaration des droits et responsabilités des étudiants de Polytechnique Montréal (Polytechnique Montréal Declaration of Student Rights and Responsibilities), article 2.5 begins as follows: "Every student has a right to a quality environment and, among other things, relations with members of the Polytechnique community free from harassment or discrimination based on race, colour, ethnic or national origin, civil status, religion, political convictions, language, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, social condition (including family matters), personal disability or the use of any means to cope with such a disability." There is also a "Règlement contre le harcèlement" (Harassment Regulation) that applies to the entire community (students and employees). On December 13, 2018, the Board of Directors of Polytechnique Montréal adopted a policy on sexual violence, in accordance with the Act to Prevent and Combat Sexual Violence in Higher Education Institutions. These documents may be consulted here: https://www.polymtl.ca/conduite/en/students-rights-and-responsibilities https://www.polymtl.ca/carrefour-actualite/en/news/polytechnique-montreal-adopts-policy-sexual-violence

Students can obtain support from the Registrar or the Service aux étudiants de Polytechnique (Polytechnique Student Services) in any situation. The regulation against harassment describes the procedure to file a complaint, for both students and employees. In 2017 a social worker joined the Students Services team. For students, the complaint is filed and given to the Service aux étudiants. The Secrétariat general analyses the complaint and provides legal advice. If social consideration is needed, the student (whereas is the victim or has experienced a bias) will meet with the social worker. If required, the social worker will organise a meeting with Polytechnique’s psychologist, or he/she can refer to external resources if deemed appropriate. For employees, the complaint is usually directly filed and given to the Secréteriat general, which will provide legal advice. If the employee wants additional support they can call the Programme d’aide aux employés (Employee assistance program). If the situation is more complex, students or staff may bring it up with the Ombudsman. (For details on Polytechnique's ombudsman: http://www.polymtl.ca/ombudsman/) Polytechnique is currently setting up its Bureau d’intervention et de prévention des conflits et de la violence (conflict and violence prevention and response office).

As women represent only 28% of students enrolled in the Winter 2019 term, they are considered as an underreprensented group at Polytechnique. Polytechnique strongly advocates increasing women's role in engineering and this commitment was made even firmer since the tragedy of December 6, 1989 where 14 women were killed. To encourage women to pursue graduate studies, Polytechnique takes part in events such as "Des filles et des sciences, un duo electrisant" (Girls and science, an electrifying team) to promote engineering studies for girls in schools. Polytechnique also offers one scholarship to a woman though its "Bourse de l'ordre de la rose blanche" (Order of the white rose scholarship; http://www.polymtl.ca/aide-financiere/bourses/bourse-de-lordre-de-la-rose-blanche). Polytechnique Montréal endorses equal access and an equity employment programs for women, aboriginal people, visible and ethnic minority and people with disabilities. This statement is outlined in every job offer to encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. Since 2017, Polytechnique has also adopted an action plan for diversity and equity for the Canada research chairs "Chaires de recherche du Canada : agir pour la diversité".

Mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support is available for all students at the Services aux étudiants de Polytechnique. Specialised advisors are available for international students and for students with disabilities. For details: https://www.polymtl.ca/sep/nos-services With regards to employees, mentoring, support or specific needs (adaptation for employees with disabilities for instance) are always managed when necessary.