The Human Rights and Equity Office supports all students and employees of Acadia University. We are responsible for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the university community.

Working within a human rights framework and adhering to provincial human rights legislation, the Office supports the ongoing development of an accessible and equitable community on campus. The Office works closely with faculty, staff, and students to foster an inclusive community and respectful environment.

All members of the University community have the right to live, learn, and work in an affirming, anti-oppressive environment free from discrimination (e.g., racism, transphobia, sexism, ableism, homophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism), and harassment, (e.g., racism, transphobia, misogyny, ableism, homophobia, bullying, toxic workplace, sexual harassment).

Acadia University is committed to fostering a culture within the University Community that is welcoming and reflective of the diverse individuals that comprise this community and to fostering cultural safety, anti-oppression, and anti-racism within the University Community, making it our goal to achieve a culture where our diversity is our strength.

Acadia recognizes that a key component in achieving substantive equality and eliminating harassment and discrimination is prevention. Beyond responding to complaints as they arise, we use education to create an environment that is rooted in human rights and equity. This requires individual and collective responsibility for education and outreach on issues regarding human rights and equality.

The Roles and Responsibilities of the Human Rights and Equity office are to:

• Take reasonable steps to protect the health, safety, and security of any member of the University community in relation to the Harassment & Discrimination Policy.
• Receive, investigate, and resolve complaints by informal resolution, mediation, or formal complaint.
• Provide an impartial, empathic, trauma-informed, confidential, and affirming space for all members of the University community requesting advice on discrimination, harassment, human rights, and equity issues.
• Provide and promote programs that raise campus awareness of the nature of, and problems associated with discrimination, and harassment, and to educate those in positions of responsibility in the objectives and implementation of the policy.

Acadia University's Policy Against Harassment & Discrimination

• The purpose of the policy is to provide and maintain a learning and work environment free from discrimination and harassment, fostering an affirming, anti-oppressive, and safer campus community for all individuals.
• All members of the University community have the right to learn and work in an environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, and personal harassment.
• The University and all members of the University community share responsibility for ensuring that the work and learning environment of Acadia is free from discrimination, sexual harassment, and personal harassment.

To share a concern, engage in a discussion of harassment or discrimination that you have witnessed, or been harmed by, or ask questions about Acadia’s Policy Against Harassment and Discrimination please contact the Human Rights and Equity Office at equity@acadiau.ca. We also encourage you to read and review the Policy (PDF).

"The better we understand how identities and power work together from one context to another, the less likely our movements for change are to fracture." — Kimberle Williams Crenshaw