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Student-focused initiatives

Supporting diversity and inclusion among Dal's student populations

The following list includes completed, continuing and/or committed initiatives, which are aligned to the Diversity & Inclusiveness Strategy’s Access and Success and Climate and Intergroup Relations pillars:

In November 2016, strategic initiatives funds were invested into an Ombudsperson role for a two-year pilot period. Additional strategic initiatives funds were secured for an Associate Ombudsperson to start November 2017, for the duration of the pilot period to November 2018, at which time the Office will be assessed.

The Senate Learning and Teaching Committee discussed and endorsed a new format for the Code of Student Conduct Report to the Senate in 2016. The format proposed both statistical analysis and narrative report of trends across student populations.

A Rapid Task Force consulted on and recommended new survey questions to collect better demographic data on student application forms and through the Be Counted Census. The new application forms were launched in October of 2016 and the new Be Counted Census will be launched this November.

AV¾ãÀÖ²¿ has secured a permanent Advisor position for the Indigenous Student Centre (one already exists for the Black Student Advising Centre), and will recruit a Recruitment and Community Liaison Coordinator of Mi’kmaq ancestry and a similar Coordinator of historic African Nova Scotian ancestry.

Strategic Initiatives funds have been secured to significantly augment the Elders-in-Residence Program and create a closer affiliation with the Indigenous Student Centre and the network of Faculty initiatives emerging to support the Indigenization of programs.

Strategic initiatives funds were secured in 2016 to double the staff complement in the Human Rights & Equity Services; the unit now includes a Director, a Personal Harassment/Conflict Advisor, a Sexual Violence Advisor, an Education Advisor and a Coordinator for Intake and Administration. A search for an inaugural University Advisor/Assistant Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion is currently underway.

The Bissett Student Success Centre received an infusion of donor funds which enabled the hiring of additional Student Success Advisors, increasing the representation of Indigenous, racialized and LGBTQ+ advisors among the team.

Secured provincial strategic initiatives funds for a Technology Diversity Program which includes moving the program into a larger renovated space on Sexton campus, with capacity to expand to serve Indigenous youth interested in STEM programs.

An external review of the now branded Student Health & Wellness was undertaken in 2016. Student Affairs is implementing a vigourous employment equity process to diversify the Counselling team, with an aim to increase representation among Indigenous and racialized persons.

Leveraged federal capital funds to renovate the Edward Street house which will be home to the co-located Indigenous Student Centre and the Black Student Advising Centre.