Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

What is the EDI Committee? 

To help with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, The St. Mary’s University EDI Committee was formed and is responsible for supporting the institution’s commitment to reconciliation, anti-discrimination, and belonging. The principles of Catholic Social Teaching are part of the St. Mary’s set of organizational values, and this committee functions in an advisory capacity to amplify the diverse voices of those who have historically faced obstacles in higher education and in society as a whole. The EDI Committee will also work to create and prioritize activities for the successful achievement of short-, mid, and long-term. Through its co-chairs, the EDI Committee will report directly to the President’s Council and would bring recommendations forward for consideration. 

• Provide strategic guidance, consultation and recommendations to the senior management team, other committees, and student government on matters related to EDI; 

• Monitor and evaluate policies and practices leading to recommendations for changes to advance equitable access to programs/services and dismantling systemic barriers; 

• Act as a central planning hub for tracking EDI initiatives across all operations (e.g., academic programs, research, student services, and hiring practices); 

• Facilitate transformative learning opportunities for faculty, staff, and students that celebrate difference and build the capacity to understand and engage in anti-colonialism, anti-racism, antidiscrimination and anti-oppression activities 

• Communicate broadly with members of the St. Mary’s community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, partners, supporters who share social justice and equity goals to solicit feedback. 

To offer multiple perspectives and insights, the EDI Committee will reflect the different constituencies of the St. Mary’s community, namely students, faculty, and administrative staff. The EDI Committee should be diverse in its membership with representation from groups that have historically faced obstacles in society and been excluded from University governance.

Vision: 

St. Mary’s University is committed to fostering an institutional culture that values, supports, and promotes equity, human rights, respect, and accountability among leadership, staff, faculty, students, guests, contractors and all University stakeholders that come onto campus. Consistent with our principles as a liberal arts university rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, we want to ensure a campus where all are welcome and one that inspires inclusive excellence for all. Creating conditions where all are free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination, we will strive to remove barriers that have been, and continue to be encountered by equity-deserving groups including, but not limited to, women, visible/racialized minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+. 

Mission: 

In our inclusive community, we encourage and support individual and collaborative efforts to identify and address inequities and welcome and enable contributions of all voices as we engage with diverse ideas, knowledge, and perspectives. 

St. Mary’s University will work to achieve an accessible, equitable, and inclusive community of students, faculty, and staff that supports our dynamic learning environment shaped by curiosity, critical thought, academic rigor, respect, and a vibrant culture of human rights, Truth and Reconciliation, and the Catholic intellectual tradition. We are committed to achieving equitable access and opportunities in employment, admissions, retention, and advancement; and to an inclusive campus that is accessible to all and free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination.