Western University
PA-7: Support for Future Faculty Diversity

Western focuses on improving retention and recruitment of faculty and staff members from diverse backgrounds through a variety of programs supported by the Equity & Human Rights Services: - Employment Outreach: The University advertises all positions in media targeted at members within diverse groups. Western is also continuously developing relationships with external clients to introduce greater diversity within the university community. - Training sessions and information packages: These employment equity and diversity tools have been developed for appointment committees and those involved in hiring and promotion decisions on campus - Special initiatives to encourage the recruitment of women faculty members: Financial support is provided to Faculties to assist with the recruitment and retention of tenured/probationary female academics. These funds may cover special expenses as well as support general recruitment and retention programs (e.g. mentoring programs in teaching or research). - Coordinated central support for recruitment and retention of faculty members: Under the direction of the Vice-Provost (Policy, Planning and Faculty), the Office of Faculty Recruitment and Retention (OFRR) has been established. This office acts as a resource to prospective, new and current faculty members and their spouses/partners at Western. In addition to offering assistance with spousal/partner employment placement, the OFRR has information on a variety of topics, including housing, childcare and eldercare, healthcare, ethno-cultural programs and immigration. Additionally, the Teaching Support Centre offers a 'Western Certificate in University Teaching and Learning' (WCUTL) program. The goal of the WCUTL program is to enhance the quality of teaching by graduate students and to prepare them for a future faculty career. The presentation and group facilitation skills gained while completing the Certificate will not only benefit graduate students in pursuit of a faculty position, but are also valued by employers in business, industry and other non-academic fields. Program participants receive a certificate and a letter of accomplishment after they complete the following five program components: 1. TA Training/Microteaching Requirement 2. 10 workshops in the Future Professor series 3. The Teaching Mentor Program for Graduate Students 4. Submit a Teaching Portfolio 5. Submit a 10-page written proposal Information on Western Certificate in University Teaching and Learning found here: http://www.uwo.ca/tsc/graduate_student_programs/western_certificate/