Pictured here: Sheila Cote-Meek
At York University, we’re committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment that values diversity; and York is advancing a number of bold initiatives throughout the University that bring our commitment to life.
Last year the University announced the President’s Advisory Council on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), made up of members of York students, faculty and staff with different perspectives, lived experiences, and talents. The group is engaging in a consultative and collaborative process to develop a framework and strategy that will advance EDI at York.
The council was officially launched in November 2020 and is chaired by Sheila Cote-Meek, vice-president equity, people and culture.
“At York we see equity, diversity and inclusion as essential to our mission of educating the next generation of leaders – the people who will shape the future of Canada and the world,” said Sheila Cote-Meek. “One voice silenced keeps us from fulfilling that mission and diminishes all of us. I’m truly grateful to everyone in the university community who has stepped forward, made their voices heard, and helped move these crucial initiatives forward.”
In its first months, the council solidified its mandate and structure and did an environmental scan of the best and most promising EDI practices in post-secondary institutions, including a comprehensive scan of existing practices at York. Further review through an intersectional lens followed, and a draft university-wide EDI strategy will be shared for consultation and feedback from York community members in the near future.
The council has also sponsored Insights, a speaker series on EDI, to help inform and inspire community members and encourage open dialogue and critical thinking about EDI issues, strategies and planning. The first two virtual events in the series were held in Winter 2021, with hundreds in attendance.
In September, Cote-Meek announced the appointment of Professor Susan D. Dion to the inaugural role of associate vice-president Indigenous initiatives. Dion joined York in 2001 and was the first Indigenous tenure-track faculty member to be hired in the Faculty of Education at York. Dion has worked with Indigenous students and university administration to address student-identified needs and interests through advocacy and support of the establishment of Aboriginal Student Services and the Centre for Indigenous Students at York. Dion was a founding member of York’s Indigenous Council and served as co-Chair for three terms between 2004 and 2015.