Campus Housing is committed to creating a welcoming space for all students. This means that we need to recognize where we have fallen short in that mission. In fall 2020, Campus Housing staff began pushing to make systemic change to ensure everyone in our community is treated equitably. Our actions further support the 2020- 2025 University of Waterloo Strategic Plan. So, what does that mean in residence? It means:
Learning is better when we do it together
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We are passionate about creating communities that embrace equity, diversity and inclusion. Everyone deserves to feel like they belong in our residence community and all have a responsibility to support an equitable living and learning environment.
Building anti-racist and inclusive communities
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Campus Housing employees know that racism, racist attitudes, and systemic racism exists, and our campus and residences are not immune to those behaviours and structures. We deeply value the diverse contributions of Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ students and employees and all students with disabilities. We are committed to addressing racism and developing an anti-racist community. Let us be clear, prejudice or hate of any kind has no place in our community. To see change, we need to acknowledge and dismantle racial biases in our residence culture, structures and practices. We will respond to racism and discrimination. We will engage in uncomfortable conversations. We are prepared to learn and help others learn. Because racial equity and inclusion matter.
But it also means being held accountable and sharing how we're working to create an environment that is anti-racist and equitable. Below we'd like to share some of the actions we've taken and actions we plan to take, with a timeline of when we plan to implement these actions.
Actions we've taken
Action One
Provide space for equity, diversity inclusion and anti-racism focused student services. In Fall 2021: office space in the UW Place Grand Commons and Mackenzie King Village was made exclusively available to support student services such as the Women’s Center and MATES.
Action Three
In Spring 2022, our Maintenance and Security Services team all attended a equity, diversity and inclusion workshop to deepen their learning.
Action Two
Each month the Senior Management Team meets to discuss current and future professional development opportunities relating to equity, diversity, inclusion or anti-racism. Through review of equity data and gathering input from campus partners, we are actively working on areas of focus for desired systemic changes within our residence communities.
Action Four
In Spring 2022, equity, diversity and inclusion statements are now integrated throughout the residence application process.
All-gender washrooms in residence
We have a place for you. We want two-spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students to feel welcome and safe living in our residences. All-gender washrooms are spaces that individuals can access and use, regardless of their gender identity. Unlike gender-specific washrooms which are designated as being for either women or men, all-gender washrooms are available for use by anyone.
Each first-year residence building has at least one all-gender washroom in our central complex area to use when studying and hanging out with friends, dining at an eatery or visiting a front desk. If you are living in Claudette Millar Hall, each floor has all-gender washrooms. Our other first-year residence communities (dorm-style and suite-style) are organized by gender, where students who identify as female live together, and students who identify as male live together. Washrooms in Ron Edyt Village and Village 1 are designated as being for either women or men. In suite-style residences (UWP, CLV and MKV), room assignments are based on gender and the washrooms are shared by the roommates within the suite. If you wish to not disclose your gender, we will never ask you to.
If you would like to speak with someone before completing the First-Year Guarantee Residence Application, please email us at housing@uwaterloo.ca and we will connect you with our Residence Life team who are ready to support you and will find you the space in residence that works best for you.
Art installations in residence
The goal of this project is to install artwork in our buildings to help beautify the spaces and reinforce a sense of belonging for all residents.
The Ron Eydt Village (REV) community centre mural is the first stage of a multi-year project where Campus Housing is demonstrating its commitment to embrace equity, anti-racism, diversity, indigeneity, and inclusion by creating a welcoming space for all students through art installations and similar initiatives.
For this first phase, to keep the project as student-centred as possible, student artists were invited to submit proposals for this paid art commission, which were then voted on by student staff.
Ron Eydt Village Mural designed by Abhinav Rajput
Section 1 of Abhinav's mural in Ron Eydt Village
Section 2 of Abhinav's mural in Ron Eydt Village
Description of the art piece by the artist Abhinav:
I aimed to create a gradient of art styles and expressions from left to right of the artwork. The middle portion is inspired by “Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo, which serves as a link between human and nature, the explorers versus the opportunities and immeasurable amount of resources that exist in Canada. The artwork is intentionally segmented like an incomplete puzzle, where each puzzle piece’s color is imbued with meaning: blue for melancholy, yellow for joy, pink for anxiety, and orange for elation. It is a metaphor for a collection of human experiences and how they all fall into place at UWaterloo and create something sacred and beautiful. I hope my artwork serves its purpose as a reflection of the collective experience of Canadian and international students at UWaterloo, hence the stylized crowd on the left mingled with the digital connection that binds us with each other. Lastly, I wish to leave the rest of the elements of the artwork open to interpretation and not to untangle them any further. By doing so, I am inviting viewers to find echoes of their own journey in this visual odyssey that celebrates the multifaceted experiences of their lives.
Abhinav Rajput Biography
Like everybody who encounters this artwork, I am an artist or a student, perhaps a researcher or just an anxious somebody who landed in this beautiful country and this university for the first time ever. Coming from IIT-Delhi as an exchange student, I thrive and strive to help create spaces that amalgamate technology, art, culture, and the essence of being human. Having moved numerous times from one city to another as my father's Air Force career demanded, and transferred from schools repeatedly. The only constant for me has always been my people, my Ma, Pa, my Sister, and my friends. Throughout my creative processes, I aim to entwine my passion for academia with the sensation of existing in a state where curiosity takes precedence over knowledge, but I always try to introduce a hint of personal experiences into my work. Raised in the vibrant tapestry woven by North Indian culture and enriched by the genuine Canadian spirit during my study abroad semester at U of Waterloo, I have learned to cherish the diverse ways of life that dot our planet. I am actively working on broadening my perspective, finding sublimity even in the most mundane, pondering, discussing, learning, and most importantly - aiming to make things a bit more alright somewhere, in some way.
Future Actions
The actions listed here are not a comprehensive list of actions we in Campus Housing plan to take. The list of actions will continue to grow as Campus Housing continues to identify future calls for action. All actions will be informed by students, staff, and campus partners.
- The Student Development and Residence Experience (SDRX) business unit within Campus Housing is committed to working with the Equity Specialist with the Student Success Office on an equity-based training program for Fall 2022 and Winter 2023.
- Campus Housing’s Research Analyst will be launching an EDI focused research project in Fall 2022.
- The Residence Facilities business unit is working with the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism to build a series of custom workshops to build capacity within the frontline staff team for advancing issues of inequity and anti-racism. These workshops are planning to be delivered in Fall 2022.
- The Director’s Office will be reviewing and analyzing the data of the University of Waterloo’s Equity Report from the Equity Office to compare demographic data of the University of Waterloo community to Campus Housing’s residence community to identify any inequities or disproportionalities in the residence experience.
Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism and the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART)
The office and taskforce work to bring members of the campus community together to facilitate understanding and address systemic barriers to equity, inclusion, and decolonization.
Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre
The Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) is committed to providing support to Indigenous students at UW. The support provided to Indigenous students at WISC takes a wholistic approach by incorporating cultural, academic, and social support. The WISC provides an environment that is supportive, respectful, inclusive, and welcoming for all Indigenous students on campus.
MATES
MATES is a peer-support service for the undergraduate student population. MATES Peer Support Volunteers support students experiencing social and academic challenges as well as low-level mental health concerns and stress.
Glow Centre
Glow is the oldest, continually-running university-based 2SLGBTQ+ group in Canada. Run entirely by dedicated student volunteers, Glow promotes a healthy attitude towards all sexual orientations and gender identities on the Waterloo campus by providing a wide variety of peer support, social events, advocacy work, and resources.
Counselling Services
Counselling Services is a team of professionals that provides programming and services to help you lead a healthy and balanced life. We strive to provide a secure, supportive environment for students of all orientations and backgrounds. Counselling services are provided, at no charge, in a private and confidential setting to University of Waterloo students who are currently registered or on a co-op term.
AccessAbility Services
At AccessAbility Services, we design and facilitate your academic or housing accommodation plan by removing barriers and building your capacity for personal success.
Office of Indigenous Relations
Indigenous Relations is a central hub for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students, researchers, faculty, and staff, along with allies within the Waterloo campus community. Additionally, the Office of Indigenous Relations provides the campus community with guidance, support, and resources to strengthen our shared vision of reconciliation.
Women's Centre
The Women's Centre aims to create a positive and safe space for students of all genders, with a special focus on women and trans folks. Our volunteers are trained to provide peer support with an intersectional lens and can help connect you with resources about sexual health, healthy relationships, mental health, and more. We're here to listen, support, and help connect students with other resources within the university and the community.
Last updated: February 23, 2023
Please contact Glen Weppler, Director, Campus Housing with questions or concerns. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please fill out the form below.