The Scarborough Charter On Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education was created following the 2020 National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities. In November 2021, Principal Patrick Deane signed the Scarborough Charter, committing Queen's to implementation of the Charter's various action items and to full accountability to a sector network of signatory institutions. As a Charter signatory, Queen’s pledges accountability to Black communities and all communities experiencing structural barriers to equity and inclusion, as well as an end to discrimination, underrepresentation, and inequity. We pledge to recognize the vibrancy of Black life and thought within an institution that has systematically denied or minimized its existence. And finally, we recognize that our success does not lie in pledges alone but the degree to which each of us, in our various roles and occupations, is prepared to speak out and to act, alongside Black communities, in support of Black life and thriving.
Four broad themes are articulated in the Scarborough Charter:
Since the release of the PICRDI report, the Human Rights and Equity Office, Human Resources, Division of Student Affairs, and the Office of Institutional Research & Planning have worked together to identify gaps in representation across campus.
The Scarborough Charter builds on work already in progress, such as the Declaration of Commitment to Address Systemic Racism. The Black community at Queen’s is an integral part of our diverse campus community and reflects a component of a broader I-EDIAA commitment that is central to the mission, vision and values of Queen’s and imperative to the future success of our institution.
Implementation
Working Groups were formed to focus on the priorities identified by the Scarborough Charter. During Spring and Summer 2022, the Working Groups met regularly and work on environmental scans, with the goal of engaging the Queen's community in a consultation process.
Scarborough Charter Working Groups
Lead: Stephanie Simpson
Administrative Support: Jill Christie
Leads: Martha Munezhi and Lon Knox
Administrative Support: Patricia Ballenas
Lead: Katherine McKittrick and Betsy Donald
Administrative Support: Aleksandra Bergier
Lead: Corinna Fitzgerald and Lavonne Hood
Administrative Support: Carlyn McQueen
Lead: Yinka Adegbusi and Heather Cole
Administrative Support: Anne Martineau
The Scarborough Charter at Queen's University
With the Charter as our foundation and guide, we know what it looks like to do more and be better, to have a positive and lasting impact, and to build up the quality of life for Black students, faculty, and staff in all spaces at Queen’s, in governance, research, teaching and learning, and in community engagement.
This short video featuring members of the Queen's community reflecting on what the Charter means to them and to the university is a tangible reminder of what we have started and where we are headed to create real, sustainable change with the Charter leading our way.