Camosun College is a place of belonging for all who work and learn here. The values of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are integral to the public mission of Camosun as a community college.
The shapeshifting mink represents the diversity of human beings that share this planet, reminding us of our commitment to uphold a barrier-free and respectful environment
Advancing Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Camosun College is committed to upholding the values of Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to nurture a barrier-free and respectful learning and working environment for students and employees.
These deeply cherished values are embedded in our vision and mission, as well as the college’s Strategic Plan (2023-2028) which prioritizes equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice as one of its six paddles represented by the mink.
In fulfillment of this commitment, Camosun College has recruited its inaugural Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and has begun the process of establishing a Centre for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Please check these pages frequently as we work on providing updated information on the centre and Camosun’s EDI plans and programming.
Defining Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
During the process of the development of Camosun’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy, extensive college-wide consultations with students and employees were held from which the following collective definitions emerged:
Equity is about fairness. It is the process that removes barriers to ensure access to educational and employment opportunities. To maintain and enhance the quality of teaching and learning at the college, and to ensure fairness, individuals or groups may at times need to be treated differently. Equity addresses the effects of colonization, economic and social disparity, and injustices against marginalized groups, and systemic barriers to access and participation.
Diversity functions to affirm each individual's unique and varied histories, experiences, and ways of being, knowing, doing, and relating. It is about being different and acknowledging and celebrating differences. Our experience and understanding of diversity strengthen us and support the work we do at Camosun.
Inclusion is the process through which we build a community where the diversity of human experiences, perspectives, and identities is recognized and respected. Inclusion fosters belonging. It affords everyone the right to participate and strengthen the collective well-being of our communities.
Get Involved
Equity and inclusion are everyone’s responsibility. You can do your part by developing your empathy and understanding and being a fellow traveler in your community members’ journeys toward greater inclusion for everyone.
Faculty and Staff
The Camosun College community has several committees and Communities of Practice that are organized around EDI learning and action.
- Accessible Education Community of Practice
- Indigenous Education Community of Practice
- Accessible Camosun Committee
- Women & Gender Equity Committee (WGEC)
- Antiracism & Decolonization Action Committee (ARDA)
Contact: firea@camosun.ca
Students
The Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) offers specific collectives and campaigns that champion EDI in the college community.
Learning Resources
We can all do our part to educate ourselves on equity, diversity and inclusion to improve our knowledge and practice. Here are some internal and external resources you can use to educate yourself, your students, your friends, and family.
Camosun Resources
Camosun Resources
Camosun offers several avenues for acquiring knowledge on equity, diversity, and inclusion topics. Here is a selection of some resources curated by the Library, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CETL), the Centre for Accessible Learning, and other resources available to us through Organization and People Development's partnership with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI).
External Resources
External Resources
Here are some open source, free resources that may help you add to your EDI knowledge. Happy learning!