H&A Leadership Commitment:
The Queen's philosophy guides our commitment to Indigeneity - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility (I-EDIAA), as well as the Principal and Senior Leadership’s commitment to addressing systemic racism and other foundational documents such as the Scarborough Charter and the university’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force report, Extending the Rafters (PDF 4MB).
We embrace and empower inclusivity for all community members to thrive. Welcoming and supporting students, faculty, and staff from varying cultures and backgrounds, H&A commits to creating and sustaining communities where equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigeneity are embraced and celebrated.
Housing and Ancillary Services commits to fostering an inclusive community with accessible goods, services, and facilities that respect the dignity and independence of persons with specific requirements, supporting those who live, work, and eat together by providing necessary accommodations.
Across our operations, we strive to bring an I-EDIAA perspective to our daily work, by making the spaces we steward welcoming for all, and making our services and programming accessible and inclusive.
Our staff maintain I-EDIAA considerations at the forefront of all service delivery and proposed enhancements, including:
- Residence Admissions team arranges one-on-one supports for students requiring living accommodations and collaborates with Hospitality Services to guide students with allergy and dietary needs on the residence meal plan.
- Hospitality Services provide diverse menu offerings catering to individuals with allergies and vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, Halal, Kosher and other special dietary needs.
- H&A IT Services ensure employees' workspaces get designed with equal access to technology solutions meeting individual needs through hardware and software solutions, ergonomic keyboards, standing desks, visual readers, hearing supports etc.
- Event Services professionals help event organizers meet attendees' accommodation requirements, dietary needs in menu planning, gender-neutral and accessible washrooms, breastfeeding spaces, prayer rooms, adjustable workstations, hearing assistant devices, etc.
Our I-EDIAA plan is framed across four dimensions: People, Spaces, Services & Programs, Principles & Values. In each dimension below, the Foundations section outlines core I-EDIAA initiatives and activities already in place and the Next Steps section identifies our work-in-progress. We welcome all ideas and suggestions for new initiatives that would make Housing and Ancillary Services more welcoming and inclusive to all.
People (Training, Recruitment, Retention, Professional Development)
Strengthened and enriched by diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences, H&A leadership and staff participate in regular discussions and ongoing I-EDIAA training in partnership with the Human Rights and Equity Office and Human Resources.
- Diversity emphasis in hiring practices, including standard I-EDIAA language in all job profiles, targeted advertising to equity-seeking groups, staff training on equitable hiring processes, and standard I-EDIAA interview questions for all competitions.
- Support professional development and goal setting around I-EDIAA through the annual performance dialogue process. PDP process for Residence custodial team members includes joint I-EDIAA and Sustainability Goals (2023).
- Staff complete two core I-EDIAA training modules: the “Call It Out” e-course on racism, racial discrimination, and human rights and “Working Together: Building an Inclusive Queen’s Community.” Senior leaders also complete the ‘Showing Up for Anti-racism and Inclusion’ course.
- Managers and some staff have completed training in Mental Health First Aid, Kairos Blanket Exercise, Workplace Mental Health Leadership Certificate Program, Diversity and Inclusion Staff Team Learning Program, and Positive Space.
- Remote Work Arrangements are supported where operationally feasible.
- Regular check-ins at staff meetings to maintain I-EDIAA considerations as a ‘top of mind’ priority.
- Annual student-staff training program in residence includes Intercultural Competence, Human Rights, KAIROS blanket exercise, Positive Space training and awareness of campus I-EDIAA resources.
- Specialized four-part training in I-EDIAA provided to the Residence Life & Services leadership team.
- Two individuals certified as Anti-Racism Response Trainers, to build capacity for expanded in-house knowledge transfer.
- Hospitality managers complete Mental Health First Aid training, and all Contractor’s hourly staff and management participate in Hospitality Services – “Spirit of Inclusion” program and the university’s program, “Working Together: Building an Inclusive Queen’s Community.”
- Participated in Queen’s Career Gateway Program in 2023, which creates employment pathways and learning opportunities at Queen’s for vulnerable persons within the Kingston community, particularly newcomers to Canada, refugees, and individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups with limited English-language skills.
- Expand staff participation in “English Language Learners in the Workplace: Strategies to Ensure Success for Everyone,” an education program to support students and/or employees whose first language is not English.
- Participate in the Queen’s University chapter of the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC) summer employment program (May-August 2023).
- Launch new staff lunch and learns sessions – an information sharing forum provided by and to H&A staff on topics of I-EDIAA, Sustainability, and wellbeing aligned to H&A values.
- Expand training from HREO in I-EDIAA topics.
Spaces (Physical & Digital)
H&A understands the importance of having accessible and sustainable spaces, both physically and digitally, to meet the diverse needs of students, staff, faculty, and the community. We commit to continuing efforts to improve the inclusivity and accessible of both the physical and virtual spaces we manage, to improve the experience for all those living, working, or visiting our spaces.
- Endaayaan - Tkanónsote opened as our most accessible residence building in September 2022, increasing the number of accessible units and adding unique I-EDIAA spaces, such as the Indigenous gathering space in the courtyard, dedicated prayer spaces, and a service animal wash station.
- Recruitment and marketing materials include diverse representation.
- Added a fully accessible new entry point to Leonard Dining Hall (September 2022).
- Recognized equity-deserving communities with presence of flags in various residence buildings.
- An Clachan community room – opened an expanded, accessible space in June 2023 and installed accessibility ramps in all building entrances.
- Regularly update websites for AODA compliance to increase accessibility and ease-of-use and to enhance content on I-EDIAA services and initiatives.
- Open one fully accessible housing unit at An Clachan in the fall of 2023 and a second unit in 2024.
- Open the revitalized JDUC residence in fall 2024, returning inventory of private rooms with private bathrooms, which are a priority room type to meet student accommodation needs.
- Revitalization planning for Gordon Brockington residence, increasing accessibility features.
- Initial planning underway to redevelop the An Clachan Housing complex, to significantly expand the number of units, at affordable rental rates.
- Design work underway to convert multi-stall washrooms in residence buildings to single-user, gender-neutral facilities.
- Increase video surveillance investments across residence buildings to assist with investigation response to incidents.
- Expand technology deployment of WandaNEXT across all residence buildings to increases accessibility for students in reporting common areas and washrooms requiring service or repair.
- Add an international welcome wall, education materials relating to the Indigenous Courtyard, and building sustainability features to the Endaayaan - Tkanónsote lobby area.
- Add accessible door operator on Ban Righ public washrooms.
- Accessible modifications to the Qwater station in MacCorry.
Services & Programs (Delivery)
H&A is accountable for developing, refining and implementing inclusive education programs and operations across all service and delivery areas, ensuring welcoming, caring, respectful and safe environments are available for the diverse population of students and guests that we serve.
- Donald Gordon Hotel & Conference Centre, Event Services and Hospitality Services demonstrate commitment to inclusivity and gender diversity through ‘Travel Proud’ and ‘Rainbow Registered’ accreditations.
- Community Housing delivers programming for international students and families at the An Clachan Complex, including English language conversation circles, cultural celebrations, and programs to introduce new residents to the Kingston community.
- All students living in residence complete a pre-arrival module outlining expectations for behaviour, educate on university policies, including harassment and discrimination, and provide information about contributing positively to their residence community.
- Hospitality Services menu planning reflects diversity and inclusivity, including accommodations for special diets and cultural diversity. Themed events support various traditions and/or special events (Shrove Tuesday, Black History and Futures month, Diwali dinner, Chinese Moon Festival), Focus groups students with special dietary needs related to religious observances assist in operational planning.
- Hospitality Service’s Registered Dietitian delivers one-on-one support to students with food allergies and special diets on the mandatory meal plan, to navigate campus dining safely and comfortably.
- Participation in the university’s Food Insecurity Working Group and the coordination of “Swipe It Forward,” a peer-to-peer program for students on meal plans to donate unused meal swipes to students in need supports campus food security.
- Opened PEACH Market (Providing Equity and Changing Hunger), in fall 2022 in collaboration with the Alma Mater Society, addressing food insecurity on campus through food rescue offered in a pay-what-you-can operating model.
- Whole Bowl program delivery provides a reduced-cost healthy warm meal option for students and staff on campus. Nutritious Whole Bowls are made fresh daily and available at Mac-Corry.
- Work with partners across campus such as Yellow House, to deliver and promote I-EDIAA programming for students in residence.
- Embedded mental health therapists in residence deliver individual support and group programs to improve access for students requiring mental health support.
- Executive Director, Housing & Ancillary Services serves on the University Anti-Hate Advisory Group
- Access to free menstrual products in select washroom in residence common areas.
- Name pronunciation tool for staff email signature blocks encourage accurate audio pronunciations of names.
- Work with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Yellow House, and other applicable Queen’s departments to assist in the eligibility criteria, approval, and disbursement of the Annual Indigenous Scholarship Fund from the Cold Beverage Supplier agreement with Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited.
- Implement changes to the residence application to ease the accommodation process for gender identification for non-binary/trans individuals (Summer 2023).
- New residence early arrival option for international students (August 2023), in partnership with QUIC, to provide additional days to acclimate and offer custom welcome programming.
- Early arrival to residence for Jewish students and their families observing Shabbat (Sept 2023).
- Introduction of a pet-friendly residence community for the 23-24 academic year as a new student support and wellbeing initiative.
- The Residence Support Coordinator will provide additional resources and supports for students requiring accommodations in residence during the application process (Summer 2023).
- Exploration of programming and supports in residence for neurodiverse students.
Principles & Values (Policy)
H&A works to cultivate a campus that embraces diversity and empowers all members of our community to thrive at Queen’s. Respect, integrity, and transparency are pillars of our success. We commit to ongoing review of our policies, principles and practices through an I-EDIAA lens, to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
- Housing and Ancillary Services’ values are Wellbeing, Responsibility, Innovation, Teamwork and Experience.
- The Residence Contract sets expectations and community standards around I-EDIAA principles for all students living in residence.
- Strong partnerships with student clubs and campus services (ie. 4D, Hillel, QUMSA, Yellow House) support inclusivity.
- Harm reduction promotion and education around alcohol and substance use for students in residence, in partnership with Queen’s Health Promotion. Collaborate with Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services to promote the “It Takes All of Us” learning module.
- Service Animal policy in residence.
- Process for both health and non-health accommodation for consideration in residence admission.
- IT systems allow students in residence to identify their preferred names for proper use.
- An ‘Accommodation in the Workplace Policy’ supports individual staff with accommodation and disability requirements.