University of Waterloo
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Waterloo’s Policy 33 – Ethical Behaviour, states: That the University of Waterloo is committed to providing an environment which supports and rewards its members on the basis of such relevant factors as work performance and achievement. Harassment, discrimination and the abuse of supervisory authority, for example, are inimical to this environment. Further, as required by the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the University has a responsibility to provide an environment free from harassment and discrimination, and accordingly must deal effectively, quickly and fairly with any situation involving claims of harassment or discrimination that come to its attention (taken from https://uwaterloo.ca/secretariat-general-counsel/policies-procedures-guidelines/policy-33)

Responses to discrimination are described under Policy 33: Policy 33 – “aims to ensure an environment of tolerance and respect and believes that the right of individuals to advance their view openly must be upheld throughout the University.” Policy 33 outlines general and specific principles related to ethical behaviour, providing examples of violations of the policy such as harassment and discrimination. Policy 33 also addresses who receives a complaint and what they should do – line management – have a responsibility to act promptly and advise their supervisor of a complaint. The manner in which the complaint is dealt with is generally a decision made by the complainant (ie. formal or informal) but the concern needs to be reasonably addressed by line management. Line management can seek conflict management services or investigative services from Waterloo's Conflict Management and Human Rights Office (CMAHRO) upon request. If there is a finding that someone violated policy 33 then management and HR discuss remedies to address the concern, from an oral warning to termination. CMAHRO provides confidential consultations to all community members with regard to general conflict at work to concerns related to harassing and/or discriminatory behaviour. CMAHRO will listen to concerns and provide general information related to their concerns, followed by a discussion of formal and informal options to address their concerns. Further information on support services and resources are available on the CMAHRO website: https://uwaterloo.ca/conflict-management-human-rights/about-conflict-management-human-rights/conflict-management-services https://uwaterloo.ca/conflict-management-human-rights/about-conflict-management-human-rights/human-rights-services

Waterloo has several ongoing programs to recruit indigenous students, students from Northern Ontario, and for Ontario Crown Wards. The University of Waterloo continues to partner with St. Paul’s University College and the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre to attended recruitment events targeted for indigenous students (such as the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Information Program). The University has also participated in tours through Northern Ontario to reach typically underserved and often marginalized populations, and has attended and participated in events that support recruitment for Ontario Crown Wards.

A wide range of programs are available through Counselling Services, the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre, The Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and AccessAbility Services. Counselling Services provides a wide range of services available to any student at the University of Waterloo at no charge. These could include individual appoints in a private and confidential setting, seminars and workshops on cultivating resiliency, managing emotions, alleviating anxiety, developing self-compassion, stress reduction, and group therapy. The Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre provides services premised on understanding, respect, and trust, as well as a recognition of and sensitivity to the different cultural values and rights of Indigenous peoples and cultures. The Centre facilitates the sharing of Indigenous knowledge and provide culturally relevant information and support services for all members of the University of Waterloo community, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, and faculty. AccessAbility Services provides academic support for students who have both permanent and temporary disabilities, including full-time, part-time, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as students completing a degree online.

Requests can be made to Housing to seek accommodation depending on the preference of the student, such as for a single room, or suite-style for more private washroom use. https://uwaterloo.ca/feds/feds-services/glow-centre-sexual-and-gender-diversity/trans-resources