Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion

Welcome to the BCIT Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion (RDI) website. Here you will find:

Harassment and discrimination information; Policies, procedures, and guidelines; Board of Inquiry Procedures

Tools; Pride at BCIT; and Free Courses – Relearning Gender, Anti-Racism, Understanding Unconscious Bias, Human Rights 101 and Respectful Workplaces

Student Voices: Gender & BCIT Event

Since the launch of Diversity Circles events in 2016, we have continued to ask questions and promote learning and discussion about gender diversity. We are excited to partner with the BCIT Student Association to highlight the perspectives and priorities of students on this panel. This year we will specifically focus on exploring issues around UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) and explore gender inequality in classroom settings.

Please visit the Diversity Circles Event page to register.

Purpose

The RDI department helps BCIT foster a respectful and inclusive working and learning environment by creating awareness and belonging through education, events, and training.  The RDI team provides assistance and support to individuals with concerns of bullying, harassment, and discrimination and strives to help people resolve conflicts informally. We also assist individuals who have formal complaints and coordinate workplace investigations.

As a stand alone department the RDI office reports directly to the President’s office.

BCIT Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office statement on human rights situation in Iran

On behalf of BCIT, we wish to express our support for the women, students, and courageous people of Iran who are risking their lives and freedom in support of gender equity and human rights.

We also wish to acknowledge and pay respect to those who have died in protest and in police custody, including Mahsa Amini, and the many others who continue to experience discrimination and repression.   Their courage reminds us that the work towards the elimination of gender-based violence must continue in our communities here in BC and abroad.

We are horrified by what is occurring and understand that these events may be particularly upsetting for those BCIT community members who are from Iran or have loved ones there.

Please remember that BCIT is here to support you.

For students

• Counselling & Student Development: are available to meet with you in person, via video, or by phone. You can book an appointment by calling 604-432-8608.
• Here2Talk: 24/7 phone or text-based counselling is available through Here2Talk.
• Early Assist: If you are feeling overwhelmed, concerned for your safety, or aren’t sure where to start, we encourage you to submit an Early Assist referral to be connected with one of our Student Life Managers, who can help you navigate BCIT’s supports.

For staff and faculty

• Homewood Health: Staff and faculty are able to access 24/7, confidential counselling through BCIT’s Employee and Family Assistance Provider, Homewood Health.
• Distressing Events: You might find it helpful to review these common responses to distressing events, and suggestions for taking care of yourself and others.

Sincerely, Jackie Gruber, Director, Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion

BCIT Accessibility

In accordance with the Accessible British Columbia Act, BCIT is establishing an Accessibility Steering Committee and related working groups. See the Accessible British Columbia Act FAQ’s for more information about the Act and Regulations.

The purpose of the committee is to assist the Institute in identifying barriers to participation and advising on how to remove and prevent such barriers in our community through the development of an Accessibility Plan. The BCIT community will have an opportunity to contribute to a more accessible and inclusive environment for staff, faculty, and students at BCIT.

Committee meetings will begin in the Fall of 2022. Guiding objectives for the committee are:

• Access: Persons should have barrier-free access to places, events, and other functions that are  generally available in the community;
• Equality: Persons should have barrier-free access to those things that will give them equality of opportunity and outcome;
• Universal design: Access should be provided in a manner that does not establish or perpetuate differences based on a person’s disability; and
• Systemic responsibility: the responsibility to prevent and remove barriers rests with the person or organization that is responsible for establishing or perpetuating the barrier.

The Committee will be co-chaired by the Associate Vice President of Academic Operations and the Director of the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion (RDI) Office, and will report directly to the President. Care has been taken to ensure the Committee is reflective of the BCIT community and the diversity of persons in British Columbia. At least half of the members will be either persons with disabilities or individuals who support person with disabilities.

BCIT Standing in Solidarity Against Racism and Injustice

We have witnessed and heard about the many incidents of race-based violence within Canada and around the world. This ongoing struggle has highlighted the systemic racism that persists against Indigenous, Black, and other People of Colour (IBPoC). They are continually subjected to harassment, discrimination, and violence, rooted in white supremacy and racism.

The Anti-racism Framework is a collaboration of various people from across the BCIT community who committed to moving BCIT forward. This Framework aims to address racism against Indigenous people, Black and African Diaspora communities, and all other racialized groups as well as intolerance based on the intersecting identities of ethnicity, country of origin, religion gender, sexual orientation, ability, and neurodiversity.

We strongly encourage our BCIT community to get involved and support this important work. BCIT offers many avenues to further increase your knowledge of anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion, such as online learning modules, the RDI monthly staff newsletter, and Diversity Circles events to name just a few. The priority actions are: Education and Raising Awareness; Data Collection, Analysis, and Utilization; Human Resources and Policy; and Inclusive Learning Environment.

BCIT takes the physical and psychological safety of our community very seriously, and has a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and injustice. We are committed to providing a learning and working environment that is inclusive and respectful to all, and as such, condemns any and all forms of discrimination and harassment.

Educate yourself.

Self education is an ongoing process and we must work to recognize our own privilege, biases, and systemic discrimination. Understanding the role we all play is the first step in preventing and addressing racism. These books are a great starting point:

• Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Xendi,
• White Fragility Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism by Robin DiAngelo
• they said this would be fun: Race, Campus Life, and Growing Up by Eternity Martis
• Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What we See, Think, and Do by Jennifer L. Eberhardt
• Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji & Anthony G. Greenwald

Free online courses.

• Understanding Unconscious Bias
• Respectful Workplaces
• Relearning Gender
• Anti-Racism
• Human Rights 101

Move from silent bystander to an active ally.

• Remember, silence empowers the oppressor. Learn what you can do when you witness racism or other forms of bigotry.
• Read – Subtle Act of Exclusion: How to understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions by Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran

If you have Privilege, acknowledge it.

• So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
• Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad

Take the  #DifferentTogether Pledge

Other Resources for education and understanding:

• Anti Racism Resources for White People
• Government of BC. Anti-Racism FAQs.
• Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC
• Act 2 End Racism
• Black Lives Matter
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• BCIT Indigenous Initiatives
• BCIT’s Harassment and Discrimination Policy [PDF] specifically prohibits harassment and discrimination on the basis of a number of characteristics, including, but not limited to race, color, ancestry, and place of origin.

Do you need help?

Mental health and wellness supports are available for students through Counselling & Student Development and for staff and faculty through Homewood Health.

If you have experienced discrimination or harassment while studying or working at BCIT please contact the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office.

RDI Services and Initiatives

• Diversity & Inclusion Awareness
• Respectful Workplace Training
• Conflict Resolution
• Creating a culture of consent – Consent Tea Video
• Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion (CCDI) membership
• Pride at Work Canada membership
• Pride at BCIT
• Pink Shirt Day

Diversity Circles.

Recognizing that more resources were needed to support and engage diverse groups in post-secondary education, the Diversity Circles project was founded in 2015. Diversity Circles supports staff, students, alumni, and the public with a series of panels, workshops, conversations, tools, and connections to support an effective model to engage with increasing diversity positively, sensitively, and strategically, by leveraging the power of community-based expertise, to drive responses to diversity and empower all participants in the diversity conversation. ASL interpreters are provided at every Diversity Circle event. A major contribution to the community is the “Moving Forward: Let’s Talk Anti-Racism” video. The Diversity Circles team has delivered over 100 workshops, launched mentoring and networking programs, and shared their findings across Canada.