EDIA commitments and strategy
EDIA Plan
Overview
At Mount Royal University (MRU), we recognize that simply acknowledging and celebrating diversity is not enough.
We are committed to advancing the goals and direction of the University Strategic Plan regarding intersectional equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA). We are currently embarking on an EDIA planning exercise to advance university goals and determine how we can best embed the principles of intersectional EDIA and be a welcoming environment free from discrimination and systemic racism.
EDIA strategic planning is foundational to sustainable EDIA work. It will help MRU make the most of its diversity by creating an inclusive, respectful and equitable workplace and learning environment where people can show up as their true selves. The EDIA plan will:
- Strengthen our practical understanding of EDIA principles, values, best practices and the importance of creating an equitable and inclusive MRU. Our intention is that all students, staff and faculty feel connected to our community, share ideas openly and make tangible recommendations to co-create belonging on campus.
- Assist in evaluating the impact of services, programs and learning strategies on supporting institutional mission, priorities and values.
- Engage MRU community members to reflect on and assess barriers that prevent access to university programs and services.
- Create a brave space for feedback, introspection and the centering of community members’ voices and experiences with intersectional equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at MRU.
- Provide a means for establishing goals, setting priorities, benchmarks and measuring success.
- Assist in maintaining accountability and justifying work in addressing different barriers to inclusion and belonging in our workplaces, classrooms and campus.
- Enhance transparency on the connections between institutional EDIA goals and resources.
- Clearly define the purpose, work plan, communication plan, accountability plan and performance metrics for the EDIA plan.
EDIA Strategic Plan Advisory Committee
Through the EDIA Strategic Plan Advisory Committee, we are taking the necessary steps to create a strategic plan that aligns with MRU's EDIA goals and strategic plan framework 2023 – 2030.
We are engaging with students, faculty and staff to ensure that our work aligns with the vision and mission of the University, while also meeting the diverse needs of the MRU community.
Learn more about our committee members.
Planning Process
This table illustrates the EDIA strategic planning process and approximate timelines. We are currently at Phase 3. Please note that timelines may be subject to change.
|
Phase 1 (Winter 2024) |
Focus group consultations with the MRU community |
|
Phase 2 (Spring – Summer 2024) |
Draft “What we heard” report |
|
Phase 3 (Fall 2024) |
Share What We Heard report for MRU community feedback and identify strategic priorities |
|
Phase 4 (Winter 2025) |
Share draft EDIA Plan for MRU community feedback |
|
Phase 5 (Winter 2025) |
Refine and publish the EDIA Plan |
|
Phase 6 (Winter 2025 and beyond) |
Develop accountability and implementation plan |
Phase 1: Focus group consultations with the MRU community (Winter 2024)
Phase 1 consultations are now closed.
These consultations included open call focus groups, online form for anonymous feedback and sessions with Faculty Councils, Provost’s Council, Chairs and Academic Directors Assembly, EDI Community of Practice, President’s EDI Advisory Committee and HR.
Consultation by the numbers
- A total of 27 consultation sessions were completed.
- Across all formats, 552 members of the MRU community engaged in the Phase 1 consultations.
- 18 open call focus group sessions were conducted.
- 185 individuals registered, including 70 students and 115 employees, for the open call focus group sessions.
- 78 participants attended the open call sessions.
- 220 responses were received through the online feedback form.
- 298 participant responses between the open call focus groups and online feedback form
- Students: 130
- Employees: 159
- Alumni: 2
- Others: 7 (relationship with MRU not specified)
- 9 consultation sessions with Faculty Councils, Provost’s Council, Chairs and Academic Directors Assembly, EDI Community of Practice, President’s EDI Advisory Committee and HR
- 254 attended the consultation sessions with Faculty Councils, Provost’s Council, Chairs and Academic Directors Assembly, EDI Community of Practice, President’s EDI Advisory Committee and HR
During this phase, we actively engaged with various communities on campus through focus group discussions to gather diverse perspectives and insights. These consultations served as the foundation for understanding the unique needs and priorities of our community members. Participation in these discussions helped us identify priority areas for fostering a more inclusive campus culture where everyone feels valued and supported.
All MRU students and employees were invited to sign up for one of our focus group sessions in February and March. To support the participation of as many community members as possible, we increased the availability of sessions in March. All sessions were structured around the same five open-ended questions, which the community received in advance. Registration was on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the participant limit for a session was reached, registration was closed.
Participants provided confidential feedback through in-person or virtual focus groups, with both formats available for employees and students. Sessions were facilitated by an external consultant from the IDEA Advocacy Group. All employees, students and alumni also had the opportunity to respond to the focus group questions online over a six-week period. The online form was open from February 14 to March 27 for people to provide feedback anonymously.
The following questions were asked in the open call focus groups, online form for anonymous feedback and sessions with Faculty Councils, Provost’s Council, Chairs and Academic Directors Assembly, EDI Community of Practice, President’s EDI Advisory Committee and HR.
- What barriers must MRU address to create a more inclusive and accessible campus environment? What suggestions do you have to address these barriers?
- How can we make MRU a safer environment so that community members of all identities feel they belong here? By safety, you may think about physical, psychological or cultural safety. Psychological safety is where people can express ideas and feelings, ask questions or make mistakes without negative consequences. Cultural safety creates a physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually safe environment without challenge or denial of individual identity or needs.
- How can MRU create opportunities for meaningful representation of intersectional identities (racial, cultural, gender, etc.) in student, staff, faculty and leadership groups that reflect our broader communities? Intersecting identities is the concept that an individual's identity consists of multiple intersecting factors, including but not limited to gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, class (past and present), religious beliefs, sexual identity and sexual expression.
- What programs or educational opportunities would you like to see implemented to ensure students and employees understand the principles, issues and strategies related to EDIA and have skills/competencies in this area? (e.g., discrimination, micro-aggression)
- How can MRU improve communication or support for community members experiencing EDIA-related concerns so they can better navigate policies, procedures or dispute resolution channels?
Phase 2: Draft “What we heard” report (Spring – Summer 2024)
Following the community consultations, draft a “What we heard” report that summarizes key themes from the community feedback gathered during Phase 1. This report will also consider information from institutional source documents related to EDIA (e.g. the University Strategic Plan, Academic Plan, other cross-institutional plans, JEDIC task force anti-racism report, and institutional commitments such as the Scarborough Charter).
The draft report will be provided to the EDIA Strategic Plan Advisory Committee and university leadership for feedback.
Next steps
Phase 3: Share What We Heard report for MRU community feedback and identify strategic priorities (Fall 2024)
We invite you to review the What We Heard report and provide your feedback on the most important EDIA needs for Mount Royal to address in the next five years.
Key themes in the What We Heard report will be used as a framework for identifying strategic priorities in consultation with university leadership, relevant departments and the broader university community.
The community feedback we receive will be used to refine the strategic priorities.
Phase 4: Share draft EDIA Plan for MRU community feedback (Winter 2025)
We will prepare a rough draft of the EDIA Plan that will be provided to the Advisory Committee and university leadership for initial thoughts and feedback.
Once the draft EDIA Plan is developed, it will be shared broadly with the MRU community to invite additional input and feedback. This collaborative process will ensure that the EDIA Plan accurately reflects our community’s collective input.
Phase 5: Share draft EDIA Plan for MRU community feedback (Winter 2025)
Integrate community input and feedback from Phase 4 to prepare a final draft of the EDIA Plan for review by the Advisory Committee and approval by MRU’s president. This document will represent the culmination of extensive community engagement and collaborative efforts to develop a comprehensive and meaningful EDIA plan for MRU.
Following the president’s approval, the finalized EDIA Plan will be published to the entire MRU community.
Phase 6: Develop accountability and implementation plan (Winter 2025 and beyond)
Develop a robust accountability plan supported by rigorous performance measures and reporting systems, including the use of dashboards, to track progress.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the development of the plan or the current phase of consultations, please contact us at EDIAstrategicplan@mtroyal.ca.