Queen’s University strives to create an inclusive and welcoming environment in which diversity is valued and celebrated by all members of the campus community. The Inclusive Community Fund was established in 2018 to further these goals by providing financial support to host programs, events, initiatives, or projects that serve to promote a more inter-culturally informed, tolerant, and inclusive campus community. Established by a $50,000 annual contribution from the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), the fund is available to any Queen’s student or employee.
- The maximum award for group projects, events, or activities is normally $3,000; the maximum award for individual projects, events, or activities is normally $1,000.
- Successful applicants are responsible for all aspects of the project, initiative, or event.
- Support from the Inclusive Community Fund should be acknowledged in publications, programs, credits, etc.
- Applications will not be considered for expenses already incurred.
- All events at Queen’s are to be accessible to people with disabilities.
- Guidelines on accessible event planning.
Submission Process
Individuals wishing to apply for funding must review the Inclusive Community Fund Guidelines and complete a proposal and budget form.
Proposals must include the project title and description. The description should address the following:
- The name(s) of the individual(s) or group(s) proposing the project;
- The purpose of the project;
- The intended audience;
- The proposed date;
- Affiliation with any other special event;
- Actions taken to ensure the project, initiative, or event is accessible to people with disabilities;
- Proposed activities; and • Desired outcomes and methods of measuring success
Proposals and budget forms may be submitted electronically to icf.provost@queensu.ca. Applications may be submitted at any time.
Fund Guidelines
Eligible Expenses
- Supplies and promotional materials for campus awareness campaigns that promote an inclusive community
- Hosting or co-hosting awareness programs, conferences, events, etc.
- Speaker fees and associated expenses
- Venue and equipment rentals for events
- Food and/or non-alcoholic beverages for the event
- Volunteer recognition tokens of appreciation
- Service costs that make the event or initiative accessible
- Other operating expenses not excluded below
Non-eligible Expenses
- Expenses arising from events or initiatives that have the effect of marginalizing, discriminating against, harassing, and/or excluding any identifiable group of persons
- Expenses arising from events in support of political parties
- Expenses arising from research projects
- Equipment purchases
- Alcohol
- Expenses such as charitable donations, wages, and/or honoraria
- Expenses in support of an individual attending a meeting or conference outside of Kingston
- Travel outside of Kingston
Successful applicants must agree to return any unspent funds.
The Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) is not responsible for covering deficits of projects, initiatives, or events that cost more than the anticipated budget.
Sponsorship of a project, initiative, or event through the Inclusive Community Fund does not make it a Queen’s-sanctioned event. As such, the university assumes no liability out of or in consequence of any attendance or participation in an activity or event.
Each project proposal will be reviewed and judged in relation to the following criteria:
- The extent to which the project, initiative, or event promotes a more inter-culturally informed, tolerant, and inclusive campus community
- The extent to which the project, initiative, or event is open to Queen’s and/or the broader community
- The extent to which the project, initiative, or event enhances the quality of the student or employee experience at Queen’s
- The extent to which the project, initiative, or event promotes Queen’s in a positive manner
Funding awards will be determined by the Inclusive Community Fund Committee based on the funding award criteria for the program.
Membership on the Committee consists of:
- two representatives from Student Affairs
- one representative from the Human Rights and Equity Offices
- one student representative
- one staff representative, and
- the Deputy Provost (Academic Operations and Inclusion), or delegate.
The approval and amount of funding will be contingent upon:
- The availability of funds and the total amount of requests received.
- The alignment of the project, initiative, or event with the selection criteria set out above.
Successful applicants must submit a report within 30 days after the completion of the project. The report should include:
- Title or name of project
- Names and contact information of person(s) completing the report
- Scope and number of persons that participated in the project, initiative, or event
- Copies of promotional materials, programs, etc.
- Description of the event and how it contributed to a more inter-culturally informed, tolerant, and inclusive campus community. Include copies of media coverage if applicable and available.
- Final budget including a breakdown of how the funds were spent.
Future applications to the Inclusive Community Fund will not be considered unless and until this report is submitted. Please submit your report electronically to icf.provost@queensu.ca.
Other funds
The Team-Building Activity Fund provides funding opportunities for initiatives that allow sanctioned student clubs to welcome and support new members in ways that cultivate a sense of belonging.
The Student Initiative Fund provides funding opportunities for student-led activities and events that enhance the student experience and enrich the university community.
The Jack.org/Queen's Student Initiative Fund provides funding to support students at Queen’s who wish to run events, programs, and activities that support student health and wellness, with a specific emphasis on mental health.
The Robert Sutherland Visitorship was created to enable dialogue and inspire action around race-related, equity and justice issues in order to shape our citizens of tomorrow. The Provost’s Advisory Committee for the Promotion of the Arts adjudicates proposals from members of the Queen's community to invite persons of distinction to be Robert Sutherland Visitors or to host scholarly events.
Highlights from Diversity and Inclusion Events
Throughout the academic year, a number of student, faculty, and staff led events and speaker series were held to promote discussions of anti-racism, cultural awareness, and celebrate diversity at Queen’s.
Edge: Diversity in Leadership Student Initiative
Led by a Queen’s Commerce student, the Edge Diversity in Leadership initiative was launched on January 20, 2018, with an event held at the Smith Toronto facility. More than 100 undergraduate business students from across Ontario attended, along with guest speakers and recruiters. The initiative aims to enable marginalized groups to excel in their academic and professional careers. The Smith School of Business and the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) are providing support for Edge initiatives in its inaugural year, including a conference in August 2018.
Diversity and Inclusion Roundtable
In celebration of the Equity Office’s 20th anniversary, a Diversity and Inclusion Roundtable was held on March 20th, 2018. The event provided an opportunity for members of the community to contribute to conversations on diversity and inclusion at Queen’s, and hear from leading practitioners in the fields of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The keynote speakers for the roundtable discussion were Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek, Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs at Laurentian University, and Dr. Minelle Mahtani, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and author of the forthcoming book, “Mixed Race Amnesia: Resisting the Romanticization of Multiraciality in Canada.”
Queen's Black Academic Society: Future of Black Scholarship Conference
On March 10, 2018, Queen's Black Academic Society hosted its first conference, The Future of Black Scholarship: Learning in “White Spaces”. The conference was designed to give participants tools to help overcome common intersectional obstacles faced in predominantly white classrooms and social settings. The conference featured workshops and breakout groups that focused on intersectionality within black diaspora (e.g. black identity as it intersects with gender, sexuality, disability, class, citizenship, etc.).
The Queen's Black Academic Society (QBAS) conference team, l-r: Dayna Richards (Artsci '19), Kianah Lecuyer (Artsci '19), Maclite Tesfaye (Artsci '19), Sydney Williams (Artsci '18), and Brandon Tyrell (Artsci '19).
Organizers, speakers, and some of the attendees of Black History Month 2018 gather in Robert Sutherland Hall
Black History Month at Queen’s
The African and Caribbean Students’ Association (ACSA) and the Queen’s Black Academic Society (QBAS) organized several activities in celebration of Black History Month. The theme of this year’s celebration was the resilience of black people throughout history, and how that resilience continues today. As part of the activities, ACSA invited Edward Thomas, Sc’06, MASc’12, to explore his research on the expulsion of black medical students at Queen’s in 1918. QBAS also held talks on diversity and mental wellness within the black community, and highlighted the impact black students at Queen’s make in the community. QBAS and ACSA received grants from the Alma Mater Society and the Office of the Provost to help fund this year’s activities.
The Arts Against Post Racialism
The Agnes Etherington Art Centre hosted a day-long series of workshops, art installations, and discussions around the theme of post racialism. Video and sculpture installations, workshops, and participatory performances were followed by a keynote address and an artist talkback with presenting artists Camille Turner, Nadine Valcin, Esmaa Mahomoud, Quentin VerCetty, and Anique Jordan.
Young Women at Queen’s: Valuing Diverse Identities on Campus
The Young Women at Queen’s employee resource group organized a panel discussion titled “Valuing Diverse Identities on Campus” to facilitate discussion on how members of the Queen’s community can help to create a more inclusive campus. The panel included Alana Butler, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education; Asha Gordon, President, Queen’s Black Academic Society; Nilani Loganathan, Career Coach in the Career Advancement Centre, Smith School of Business; and Vanessa Yzaguirre, Diversity and Inclusivity Coordinator with Student Affairs, and was moderated by Stephanie Simpson, Executive Director (Human Rights and Equity Offices) and the University Advisor on Equity and Human Rights.
2018 Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts Human Rights Arts Festival
The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts Human Rights Arts Festival offered a wide range of concerts, screenings, and exhibitions from diverse artists to help promote awareness and action around topics related to Indigenous experiences, disability, LGBTQ+, cultural expression, and women’s rights.
The 2018 Festival opened on Feb. 26 with the Art of Time Ensemble’s “A Singer Must Die – The Words & Music of Leonard Cohen” featuring Steven Page, Sarah Slean, Gregory Hoskins, and Tom Wilson. Measha Brueggergosman performed in 2017.
Supplied photo