Start of term update on equity, diversity and inclusion in the Faculty of Fine Arts


In June, outgoing dean Rebecca Duclos and I wrote a statement about the necessity for collective action to uproot systemic racism and dismantle those oppressive systems and processes in the Faculty of Fine Arts that harm, hold back, or discriminate against Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC).

I would like to update you on the progress we have made so far and what we are working on for the Fall and Winter terms. The Faculty of Fine Arts will adopt a phased approach to dismantling all forms of systemic discrimination and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the Faculty of Fine Arts.

In the short term, we have undertaken or are planning the following actions:

• We will deliver training to all chairs, program directors, and area heads on how to respond effectively and appropriately to concerns or complaints about the conduct of any member of the Concordia community. This training is scheduled for October 5 and will be delivered by the director of the Office of Rights and Responsibilities.
• We will develop a training program addressed to TAs on how to respond effectively and appropriately to concerns or complaints about the conduct of any member of the Concordia community, and some strategies on how to discuss difficult topics and build inclusive classrooms.
• We have developed a written Fine Arts protocol for responding to concerns. You can access a student-focused page here about raising concerns and a faculty and staff page for responding to concerns here (login required).
• We will be working with a specialized EDI consultant to provide training to faculty members in every department on how to build inclusive classrooms, including training on micro-aggressions.
• We are currrently programming anti-racism and EDI content for the winter meetings of Faculty Council, with the aim of helping departments to identify barriers to equity and respond to systemic racism and patterns of exclusion (in teaching, learning, curriculum development, research, service, administration, and in other activities that take place on campus).
• We worked with the Office of the Provost and the other Faculties to develop a list of courses of special relevance to critical race theory and BIPOC experience.
  



In the longer term we are planning the following actions:

• To develop a program of more in-depth training options that respond to specific areas of need in individual departments.
• To work with departments, research units and the university’s EDI steering committee to develop localized action plans that identify and implement key recommendations of the forthcoming report of the Concordia Working Group on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• To establish an advisory group of stakeholders and community members to provide guidance to the Faculty on how to most effectively redress racism and promote EDI within the Faculty of Fine Arts.
  


We recognize that a continuous and collaborative approach is necessary. Faculty, staff, students and community members will have opportunities to shape these important policies and the strategic action plan behind them. At this stage, however, we are engaged in preliminary conversations with BIPOC faculty, the Office of the Provost, and community members inside and outside the university to establish a way to move forward. As this process progresses, I will send out another update.

If you have any urgent reflections you want to pass on, I invite you to contact Kristina Huneault, Associate Dean Faculty Relations and Inclusion.



Annie Gérin
Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts