Shaping Our Shared Future with Ambition and Strength
Following the release of Carleton’s new Strategic Integrated Plan in 2020, we engaged in a process to define and develop the strategic, ambitious actions that the university must take to renew its commitment to leadership in the areas of anti-racism and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Carleton’s Board of Governors, federal tri-agency research funders, faculty, staff, students, public and private sector employers, and other members of the external community have all highlighted EDI as a critical factor to the continued success of the university. This focus has become even clearer in the current environment of pandemic dislocation, transition to virtual operations, economic contraction, geopolitical instability, and social justice reckoning. We know the combined thrust of these dynamics has exacerbated societal disparities that have deep historical origins.
The EDI Action Plan was developed through a collaborative process that included many members of our community. In particular, we thank the members of the Equity and Inclusive Communities Advisory Group for their leadership that proved to be critical to the development of this document. Faced with the monumental task of sharing direct information and experience from the community to scope systemic success, opportunities and gaps, these collective group members hold immense experiential and scholarly capability and the value of their service is immeasurable.
Building on the priorities and values outlined in the Strategic Integrated Plan, the EDI Action Plan provides an institution-wide strategy for further integrating EDI into our work and mission. This comprehensive action plan outlines ways to reimagine curricular and pedagogical practices, and makes recommendations about how to further enhance student supports, research infrastructure, leadership development for academic and non-academic staff, organizational culture and more.
The document you hold in your hands empowers all of us to take action to integrate the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in our work. We wish to express our thanks to everyone for your important contributions, and for your continued engagement as we implement the recommendations.
Sincerely,
