Call for members: Task Force on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence

Update for undergraduate student applicants
Please note that as of February 2, 2018, all applications by undergraduate students need to go through the Concordia Student Union. If you are a graduate student, the process remains unchanged.

I am writing to follow up on the announcement made by Concordia’s president Alan Shepard on January 10 regarding the steps we are taking to address recent allegations.

One of these actions includes the creation of the Task Force on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence. Its mandate is to consult with members of the community, and to review policies and processes, all aimed at ensuring that members of the community learn, teach, work and conduct research in a respectful and safe environment.

The work of the task force will also include addressing the requirements of the Government of Quebec’s new legislation, Bill 151, to prevent and combat sexual violence within post-secondary institutions.
 

Task force membership

The 12-member task force will include:

• 2 undergraduate students
• 2 graduate students
• 2 faculty members (1 full-time and 1 part-time)
• 2 staff members
• 1 external member
• Chair: Lisa Ostiguy, deputy provost
• Vice-chairs: Nadia Hardy, vice-provost of Faculty Relations, and Melodie Sullivan, senior legal counsel

Call for members: the deadline to apply is Thursday, February 8 at 6 p.m.

We are inviting the entire community to participate in the effort to create a diverse group from across the university.

We encourage all interested students, faculty and staff members, who believe they can bring their expertise and experience to this very important work of the task force, to submit an application by 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 8.
 

Eligibility requirements

Students must be currently registered in a program at Concordia, be in good academic standing and have completed a minimum of 30 credits for undergraduates or 12 credits for graduate students.

Faculty and staff must be active members until June 30, 2018 and have been employed at Concordia for at least 12 months. Faculty and staff members who are on leave or on sabbatical are not eligible.
 

Application process

To apply, please complete and submit an application form by 6 p.m. on February 8.
 

Time commitment

When submitting an application, please be aware that if you are selected, you must be able to attend the task force meetings from February until the end of May. These will be held every Friday morning from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Additional meetings may be required.

To be an active and full member on the task force, it is vital that all members be able to meet this requirement. It will not be possible to be replaced by a delegate or a substitute.
 

Selection criteria

We are seeking individuals who have the potential to contribute to reviewing and further developing policies and processes that will lead to fostering a safe and respectful environment at Concordia.

To carry out this work, these individuals will contribute their insights into existing and emerging challenges that fall within the scope of the task force’s mandate.

The selection criteria include the ability to engage critically with diverse perspectives about the role of a university as well as an understanding of existing policies or processes at the university that concern sexual misconduct or sexual violence.
 

Selection process

The task force’s chair and vice-chairs will review all eligible applications. All applicants will receive an email response and task force members will be announced in early February.
 

Opportunities for consultation

The task force will be inviting groups and units across the institution to provide written feedback along with opportunities for face-to-face meetings with task force members.

We will also be holding public conversations to engage undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff as part of our work. Individuals will also be able to submit written feedback.

We will be sharing more details on the consultation activities shortly.

We look forward to working together to ensure that Concordia provides a learning and work environment that is respectful, caring, supportive and free from sexual misconduct.
 

Lisa Ostiguy

Deputy Provost
Chair, Task Force on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence