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Equity, Diversity and Human Rights

Vision

An IDEAL community where Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility are respected and embraced at Laurentian. 
 

Mandate

The mandate of the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office (EDHRO) is to lead the University community in fostering an inclusive and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff and faculty by providing expertise, guidance, advice and counsel to members of the University community in order to ensure compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code) and Laurentian University’s Policy on a Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment, Policy on Response and Prevention of Sexual Violence, Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and any other related policies.

 

About Our Services 

The Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office (EDHRO) is a resource for all members of the Laurentian University community, including students, staff, and faculty.  We assist with matters of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual violence and bullying.  We do not advocate for either party in a dispute, but take an impartial and objective approach towards resolving matters between parties.
 

The key functions of EDHRO are:

  • Assist individuals with complaints of harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and bullying to understand the range of options available for responding, and help them to pursue a resolution,
  • Provide information and training to the community to increase awareness about the importance of promoting a respectful workplace and learning environment,
  • Administer the Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment Policy and Program on campus,
  • Administer the Policy on Response and Prevention of Sexual Violence,
  • Administer the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and
  • Administer the Policy on Accessibility Standards for Customer Service.
     

The EDHRO can assist you with a wide variety of individual concerns, including:

  • Sexual harassment, date/acquaintance rape, sexual assault, stalking and domestic violence,
  • Harassment and/or discrimination based on human rights grounds (race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, gender expression, gender identification, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status and disability),
  • General harassment and/or bullying,
  • Workplace harassment, Workplace sexual harassment, and
  • Online/cyber harassment via chats, email, websites, and texts.
     

We will work with you to decide on an approach to a resolution of your concern that works for you, often making use of alternative dispute resolution techniques that allow the parties to rebuild their relationship in a more positive, respectful way.

We keep all personal information received private and confidential as per applicable laws. Contact with EDHRO is a confidential service. 
 

Policies and Procedures

Laurentian University is committed to promoting a respectful, diverse and inclusive community and for ensuring that every person in its community is protected from discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual violence and/or bullying. To this end, a tetralogy of Policies was created to support a positive and welcoming working and learning environment that respects the inherent dignity and worth of each Laurentian University community member.

The Policies are meant to be read together and are as follows:

  • Policy/Program on a Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment
  • Policy on Response and Prevention of Sexual Violence
  • Policy on Workplace Violence Prevention
  • Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities

To view a copy of these policies please use the following link.
 

Resources and Training

The Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office offers a variety of training opportunities and partners with the department of Human Resources and Organizational Development as well as Student Life to provide relevant and timely educational programming.

If you would like to know more or request a training session, please contact our office by phone 705-675-1151 x 3427 or by email edhr@laurentian.ca.

ELearning tools regarding human rights and responsibilities can also be found at the Ontario Human Rights Commission eLearning page here.

Guidelines for Assessing and Responding to Students of Concern: Faculty and Staff


Annual Reports

2014/15 (PDF)

2015/16 (PDF)

2016/17 (PDF)

2017/18 (PDF)

2018/19 (PDF)

2019/20 (PDF)

2020/21 (PDF)

2021/22 (PDF)

  • my.Laurentian.ca
  • Processes
  • Change of Preferred Name
    • The Preferred Name enables students to use an alternate and preferred given name for certain purposes while studying at Laurentian University when they have personal reasons for not wanting to use their legal given names. Although it is not a substitute for your legal name, the preferred given name may be used on all unofficial university documents and tools.
    • The request will be reviewed by the University Registrar and a decision will be made within 10 business days.
    • For more information on preferred name, refer to this article.
    • You will be notified by email of the Registrar’s final decision.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

As a Laurentian University student, you are entitled to a learning environment free from Harassment, Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence. With these rights come responsibilities to ensure that the rights of others are protected. In this regard, the Code of Student Conduct, Non-Academic (the “Code”) was established to help outline the responsibilities that all students share.

The purpose of the Code is to define the parameters of conduct considered to be consistent with the goals and values that promote the wellbeing of the Laurentian University community. The Code applies to non-academic behaviour of students, individually and collectively, in an academic setting, social setting, or recreational setting, whether on or off campus, including while using electronic communication devices or social media.

Laurentian University is committed to promoting and respecting academic freedom. The University shall act to safeguard this principle as long as it does not violate the provisions of this Code. Students have the right to express their views in a responsible, respectful, and ethical manner.

The Code is part of a tetralogy of Policies that support a positive and welcoming working and learning environment that respects the inherent dignity and worth of each Laurentian University community member. These policies are meant to be read together and include:

  • Policy/Program on a Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment
  • Policy on Response and Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence
  • Policy on Workplace Violence Prevention
  • Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities

To view the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, please use the following link: https://laurentian.ca/policies-accountability

If you would like to learn more about the Code and about your rights and responsibilities as a Laurentian University student, please contact Shannon Goffin, Manager of Student Rights and Responsibilities by phone at (705) 675-1151 ext. 3685 or by email at sgoffin@laurentian.ca.

Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office

A-126, Arts Building, Laurentian University