Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The MRFA is Committed to EDI

• The MRFA has a long standing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in its member approved mission statement. However, the Association will be engaging members in discussions on how this statement can best be updated and strengthened with respect to our commitment to EDI within the MRFA and in the wider MRU community moving forward.
• The MRFA will, also, be developing an Equity Diversity and Inclusion Policy early in the 2022-2023 academic year. Once drafted it will be made available for member comment here.
• To ensure that the Association’s commitment to EDI is integrated in all of the Association’s operations, the Association will be undertaking an organizational and structural review in 2022-2023 with the plan to bring forward bylaw changes in 2023 which will see the creation of an EDI council that will both reach outward to the MRU Community and be integrated in the MRFA’s standing committee structures.

MRFA Diversity And Equity Committee

The MRFA’s Diversity and Equity Committee (soon to be renamed the MRFA’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee) regularly hears from and communicates with the membership on specific and important matters relating to EDI in the MRFA and the MRU community. Members are encouraged to view the committee webpage for more information about the work of this committee.

MRFA 2025 – Building an Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive Association

The MRFA has been developing the 2025 Plan since the 2020-2021 academic year, and the plan is to be officially launched on March 25, 2022. For more information on the development of this plan, please view the MRFA 2025 webpage.

The MRFA 2025 Working Group is in the process of developing an annual report card template which will be used to assess progress on the plan each Spring. That report card will be posted here for information and will be shared with the MRFA membership annually at the Annual General Meeting.

MRFA Census – Learning about and from our Members

The MRFA has administered an annual census since 2017. In recent years the census was modified to include self-identification questions and, in 2022, to include questions about members’ experiences of racism and discrimination on campus. The results of the census are analyzed annually to identify concerns and work toward improvements for our members.

EDI in the Collective Agreement

The current Collective Agreement is available here and members are encouraged to refer to the following articles relating to EDI:

• 22.1 Non-discrimination
• 22.2 Harassment
• 22.3 Occupational Health & Safety
• 24 Diversity & Equity

EDI at MRU

• MRU Offices, Committees, and Related Pages:
  • MRU Office of Safe Disclosure
  • MRU Office of Indigenization and Decolonization
  • Iniskim Centre
  • Faculty of Science and Technology EDI Webpage
  • MRU President’s EDI Advisory Committee
  • MRU Signs on to the Scarborough Charter
• MRU Resources:
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDI) Resource Page
  • MRU EDI Resource Page
  • Culturally Inclusive Calendar
• Students’ Association (SAMRU) Pages and Groups:
  • SAMRU Cultural Inclusion Centre
  • SAMRU Pride Centre
  • EDI Science Students’ Affiliation
  • Women in Science and Technology

Pay Equity at MRU

• Slides from August 2022 Pay Equity Information Session
• Related Documents from 2020-2021 Academic Year:
  • JDEC Report Cover Letter
  • Pay Equity Study Report (redacted)
  • Applicable Collective Agreement Excerpt (page 145)
  • Invitation email to Pay Equity Study Town Hall
  • Answers to questions – provided by JDEC

EDI in MRU Policy

Content to be added

MRU Joint Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

MRU Taskforce on EDI

• EDI Taskforce Terms of Reference
• Taskforce Members – MRFA Appointees
  • Jebunessa Chapola
  • Joseph Osuji
  • Paul Varella

Events & Observances

The Faculty of Science and Technology compiled a calendar to assist members of the MRU community to be culturally inclusive. This calendar is available here. Members may add this calendar to their google calendar by clicking on the “+Google Calendar” in the bottom right corner.

(from the Science and Technology Faculty Website) “”The Faculty of Science and Technology is committed to respecting the religious, cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices of all members of our community. This calendar list is a diverse collection of traditions, holidays and celebrations that may be considered when planning events, activities, and course schedules and due dates. The significant days provided here will be updated by 2021 year end to align with the University’s religious and spiritual traditions/observances/holidays.

Our list may not entirely capture representation of our community’s many diverse faiths. We welcome you to share your holy days with us and provide feedback to edifst@mtroyal.ca so that our calendar remains accurate and inclusive.”

Further Information and Contact Info

Members with any concerns, questions or comments relating to EDI issues are welcome to submit these to the MRFA at edi@mrfa.net. All emails will remain confidential.

MRFA Organizational Review Session Notes (Fall 2020)

Presentation on Pronoun Use – the First International Pronouns Day

• Pronouns Day Website
• National Advocacy Website for LGBTQ Communities
• What is Oppression (The Icarus Project)
• Gender Neutral Writing Guide
• International Pronouns Day blurb for students