Equity Statement
The following statement is from the UTGSU Policy Handbook and is read at UTGSU events:
Students Union solidarity is based on the principle that all members deserve to be equal, respected and should be understood. As members of the Union, mutual respect, cooperation and understanding are our goals. We do not condone or tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity of any individual. Expressions of hate such as intimidation, harassment, offensiveness or hostility will not be tolerated.
We will struggle against all forms of discrimination and harassment, including but not limited to: anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, racism, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, antisemitism, xenophobia, sexism, classism, casteism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and ageism expressed in the form of sentiments and remarks. We all have an obligation to ensure that an open and inclusive space, free of hate, is established. We stand against the harassment, doxxing, and surveillance of students and the use of police or other authority to oppose the creation of open and inclusive spaces or as a means of dissuading students from organizing, debating, or practicing any other form of academic freedom. We support growth and understanding and believe in providing opportunities for individuals to acknowledge the impact of their remarks, with the understanding that the experiences of those impacted by discriminatory sentiments or remarks will be privileged.
If you are not here in an understanding of good faith or you have violated this understanding, you will be asked to leave. Do you agree?
Equity-Related Concerns & Disputes
The Equity Officer assists the UTGSU with equity-related policy development and dispute resolution.
The Equity Officer is responsible for intaking complaints or disputes regarding racism, transphobia, sexism, homophobia, and other charges that violate the UTGSU’s equity statement. They may facilitate an informal resolution process or assist in the navigation of a formal process. The Equity Officer is also responsible for enforcing the UTGSU’s equity statement in General Meetings, and ensuring that the UTGSU’s policies and procedures are aligned with the tenets of the statement.
The current Equity Officer is Laurie Baker (she/her). Laurie is a second year MA student in OISE’s department of Social Justice Education. Throughout her time at the University of Toronto and McMaster University, Laurie has worked with a variety of social justice-oriented organizations on and off campus, including UofT’s Sexual Education Center (SEC), McMaster’s Pride Community Center, McMaster’s Sexual Violence & Prevention Office, and SACHA. Laurie is excited to be working with the UTGSU this year, and is happy to chat about any equity-related concerns you may have.
Submitting an Equity-Related Complaint or Dispute
The Equity Officer will only intake complaints or disputes that violate the UTGSU’s equity statement, or other equity-related issues. For all other complaints or disputes, please contact the Executive Director, Corey Scott, at executivedirector@utgsu.ca who will help navigate the appropriate dispute resolution process.
To submit an equity-related complaint please fill out the complaint form and submit it along with any additional documentation to the Equity Officer equityofficer@utgsu.ca.
Barring any extenuating circumstances, the Equity Officer will contact the complainant within 7 days after the complaint form has been received.
Quicklinks
- UTGSU Equity Statement
- UTGSU Equity Policies: G6 (anti-oppression), H3 (Equity & Anti-Discrimination), & O16 (Equity Officer)
- Equity Response Protocol
- Bylaw 14 – Internal Dispute Resolution
Contact
The Equity Officer, Laurie Baker, can be contacted at equityofficer@utgsu.ca.