The University of Alberta values diversity, inclusivity, and equity across and among our people, campuses, and disciplines. We understand that equity, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI) are fundamental for us to achieve the excellence in learning, teaching, research, service, and community engagement that we undertake each day.
Having completed the first year of the Strategic Plan for Equity, Diversity, and InclusivityStrategic Plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity, we have shared our annual report and have had the opportunity to identify points for improvement. Many people have noted that the U of A needs better coordination of EDI efforts and we are now in the process of restructuring our EDI resources. This involves the centralization of EDI initiatives and work within the Office of the Provost.
Consolidating EDI leadership under the Office of the Provost further underscores our commitment to the advancement of EDI. As our counterparts in the U15 and across North America have already demonstrated, EDI thrives when it occupies a central location that has existing reciprocal ties to the whole university community. The Office of the Provost will provide this unique vantage point.
This change will enhance the integration and coordination of U of A cross-institutional EDI initiatives. It will also amplify the efforts of the EDI Scoping and Action Groups, which have provided critical leadership in the development of the Strategic Plan for EDI, the creation and deployment of an instrument for collecting EDI data for the purposes of benchmarking and target setting, and a significant revitalization (now underway) of our Recruitment and Selection policies and procedures.
Unfortunately, the need to address budget reductions has resulted in the disruption of some positions and changed the roles and responsibilities of others.The EDI work that faculty, staff, and students carry out today, and that we will continue to move forward tomorrow, would be impossible if not for the efforts of our EDI champions, both past and present. We owe them our thanks and our promise to continue our resolve and devotion to EDI. The University of Alberta is committed to building a diverse, fair and equitable community in which to work and study. We look forward to sharing more details about this change in structure as they become available.
Wendy Rodgers, Deputy Provost
As an inclusive community, the University of Alberta encourages and supports individual and collaborative efforts to identify and address inequities, and we welcome and enable contributions of all voices as we engage in diverse ideas, knowledges, and perspectives in the pursuit of inclusive excellence for the public good. Learn more about our EDI plan, initiatives, reports, and more by visiting the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity website.