| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.26 |
| Liaison | Karen Oberer |
| Submission Date | Jan. 17, 2024 |
McGill University
PA-6: Assessing Diversity and Equity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Has the institution engaged in a structured assessment process during the previous three years to improve diversity, equity and inclusion on campus?:
A brief description of the assessment process and the framework, scorecard(s) and/or tool(s) used:
Student Equity Assessment (Student Census)
The Student Census is a voluntary questionnaire that involves the collection, analysis, and reporting of demographic student data such as gender, sexual orientation, disability, Indigenous identity, racial/ethnic identity, parental educational background, financial support, caregiver status, refugee status, and religious/spiritual identity.
The data from the Student Census allows the university to better understand the composition of the student body, to inform data-driven operational decision making, to address identified areas of underrepresentation, as well as to assess and adapt efforts to enroll and support students in line with the Final Report of the Provost’s Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education, McGill’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan 2020-2025, and McGill’s Action Plan to Address Anti Black Racism. By collecting this data, the university is better able to anticipate and meet the needs of students, as well as understand them better.
Of the 36,109 students invited to respond to the survey, 67% (24,139) participated.
Student Climate Survey
The Student Climate Survey was developed to fulfill an objective of the McGill EDI Strategic Plan: "Develop a survey instrument and survey cycle through which to measure student wellness and students’ experiences and perspectives on respect and inclusion. As required, develop plans to address areas of concern identified through this exercise, paying particular attention to student populations who may be especially susceptible to alienation, isolation, or harassment (e.g., students with disabilities, racialized students, international students, LGBTQ2I+ students)" (pp. 4-5).
Source: https://www.mcgill.ca/equity/initiatives-workshops/student-climate-survey
Employee Equity Assessment
Moreover, McGill participated in the Women and Governance Parity Certification and received the silver designation. We are also part of the Federal Contractors Program, and report to the Quebec government on the Act Respecting Equity Access to Employment in Public Bodies.
We provided demographic data on the composition of our workforce, and a comprehensive description of our strategy for creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive working and learning environment at McGill. We were found to be in compliance with both federal and provincial employment equity requirements. We also submitted reports on employment equity to the Provincial and Federal government, and were found to be in compliance.
Women and Governance Parity Certification:
"The Women in Governance Parity Certification does not only evaluate parity at the decision-making level of an organization. It also embeds an intersectional lens when assessing the organization’s commitment to the implementation of mechanisms that enable all women, at all levels of its hierarchy, to achieve career advancement, thus creating a pipeline of diverse female talent.
Source: https://paritycertification.org/
Federal Contractors Program:
"The Labour Program administers and enforces the Federal Contractors Program (FCP). FCP requires that organizations who do business with the Government of Canada implement employment equity in their workplace. This includes ensuring their workforce is representative of Canada’s labour force with respect to the 4 designated groups under the Employment Equity Act:
- women
- Indigenous peoples
- persons with disabilities
- members of visible minorities"
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/labour/programs/employment-equity/federal-contractors.html
Quebec government on the Act Respecting Equity Access to Employment in Public Bodies
Public bodies are required to submit a report every three years to the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse:
The report "shall indicate the number of members in each target group and the proportion represented by each target group in each type of occupation within the public body’s workforce. The report shall also indicate, for each type of occupation, the required skills and experience as well as the public body’s relevant recruitment area." (Art. II. 5).
Source: https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/document/cs/A-2.01
Does the assessment process address campus climate by engaging stakeholders to assess the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of employees and students, including the experiences of underrepresented groups?:
Does the assessment process address student outcomes related to diversity, equity and success?:
Does the assessment process address employee outcomes related to diversity and equity?:
A brief description of the most recent assessment findings and how the results are used in shaping policy, programs, and initiatives:
Student Equity Assessment (Student Census)
The Census reveals that of the respondents who participated, over 5% identified as Two-Spirit, transgender, non-binary, intersex, and/or questioning. 70% of respondents identified as cisgender and 77% as heterosexual/straight. Nearly 9% of respondents identify as a person with a disability. 1.1% identify as Indigenous and 41% as an ethnicity other than white.
The collection of data through the Student Census enables McGill to be aware of and plan for its communities. The information from the Student Census allows for data driven resource allocation, initiatives, and strategic planning in areas such as:
- increasing the representativeness of the student body,
- promoting wellness, success, and support especially for students from underrepresented groups,
- enhancing the capacity of teaching staff and student services to create and maintain respectful, safe, and inclusive settings for students
Student Climate Survey
The results of the survey will provide important information about students’ experiences on McGill campuses and will help in the university's efforts to fulfill its commitments towards bolstering and celebrating student diversity, striving to provide equitable support and access to opportunities, and promoting a respectful and inclusive learning experience for all students. Survey results are not yet available, as the survey closed in Summer 2023.
Employee Equity Assessment
Results were shared at the senior levels first and then across the university. Strategies were developed and put in place to address identified areas for improvement. For example, in the Federal Contractors' reply to McGill, it was noted that McGill continued to have significant underrepresentation of staff with disabilities. In order to address this deficit, McGill is currently developing an accessibility strategy that will have "workforce" as one of its pillars, with a view to strengthening recruitment, retention, promotion and job satisfaction for staff and faculty with disabilities. In the meantime, McGill has implemented a number of smaller measures, including actively forging connections with disability employment organizations in order to support outreach to job seekers with disabilities.
Are the results of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment shared with the campus community?:
A brief description of how the assessment results are shared with the campus community:
Student Equity Assessment (Student Census)
Results of the census are published on a dedicated website: https://www.mcgill.ca/equity/resources/student-census
Student Climate Survey
Reporting on progress will occur through the Annual Report to Senate of the Committee on
Student Services and the Annual Report to Senate on Scholarships and Student Aid. These reports are published on the McGill Senate website: https://www.mcgill.ca/senate/
Employee Equity Assessment
The results of the assessment are presented at Senate and the Board of Governors and are made public on each website.
https://www.mcgill.ca/senate/files/senate/06_d22-72_biennial_report_on_employment_equity.pdf
Are the results (or a summary of the results) of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment publicly posted?:
The diversity and equity assessment report or summary (upload):
Website URL where the diversity and equity assessment report or summary is publicly posted:
Website URL where information about the institution’s diversity and equity assessment efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Information about the institution's diversity and equity assessment efforts can be found below:
- Employment Equity: https://www.mcgill.ca/equity/employment-equity/employment-equity-survey
- Student Equity: https://www.mcgill.ca/equity/resources/student-census
Information about the institution's diversity and equity assessment efforts can be found below:
- Employment Equity: https://www.mcgill.ca/equity/employment-equity/employment-equity-survey
- Student Equity: https://www.mcgill.ca/equity/resources/student-census
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.