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Diversity and Equity

The Diversity and Equity Office, affectionately known as the DEO, works to cultivate a culture on campus that respects and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in all aspects of Laurier – from classrooms to residence communities. The office provides support to all students, staff, and faculty on all campuses.

Mission

As members of the Laurier community, we are committed to leading lives of leadership and purpose. To this end the, Diversity and Equity Office (DEO) provides wraparound support to students, faculty and staff at Laurier. Together we can meaningfully engage with equity, diversity and inclusion on all Laurier campuses and their communities.

Vision

  • Cultivate a culture of inclusion across all campuses and wider Kitchener, Waterloo and Brantford communities
  • Provide meaningful and ongoing support for students, staff and faculty.
  • Encourage institutionalized support for students, staff and faculty who experience and/or are affected by gendered violence on or off Laurier campuses
  • Through social innovation and creativity, continue to do diversity differently – creatively, effectively and meaningfully.

Additional Resources

Gendered Violence Support and Prevention Aboriginal Initiatives and Services Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG)

On the Waterloo campus the DEO offers:

Four student-led groups: the Association of Black Students (ABS), Rainbow Centre (RC), Centre for Women and Trans People (CWT) and the Muslim Students' Association. These student-led groups offer safer spaces for students who identify with these groups (as well as for their allies) and also provide lots of volunteer opportunities for students looking to participate in the educational opportunities created by the students in these groups.

Multi-faith support and resources: The Multi-Faith Resource Team is part of the DEO team and is made up of the university chaplains. The chaplains provide support and resources on theological and spiritual issues to people from all religious traditions. Their office, the Multi-Faith Resource Centre, is located in the Arts Building (1C12A).

Volunteering opportunities: We hire two student interns each year and also provide lots of interesting volunteer opportunities. Let us know if you would like to be part of the Gendered Violence Task Force or the University Employment Equity Advisory Committee. Also contact us if you’re interested in working on the e(RACE)r: Summit on Race and Racism on Canadian University Campuses. Have your own ideas? We are always excited about hearing about diversity and equity-related projects you might be interested in taking part in.

Support: The DEO provides a range of formal and informal supports – for example, if you need non-academic accessibility support, community referrals, suggestions about resources for your papers related to diversity and equity, if you have experienced an injustice or if you just have questions about diversity, equity and social justice, the DEO can also provide support, advocacy and information that can help. For more information on support, see Community Connections and Support.

Education: The DEO has a resource library that’s available to all students. We also offer programming throughout the year on a wide variety of topics. One of our most popular programs is the Diversity Certificate – you sign up to attend a series of interactive, student-led workshops and not only get a certificate in the end, but also get recognition of your participation on your co-curricular record.

Practicum Opportunities: The DEO provides students with practicum opportunities. If you’re in a program that includes a practicum experience and you’re interested in working with us in the DEO, feel free to reach out and speak to Dana Lavoie at 519.884.0710 x4469.

On the Brantford campus the DEO offers:

Five student-led groups: SOUL, Rainbow Alliance, My Respect, Laurier Brantford Women’s Centre (LBWC), and Muslim Students’ Association. These student-led services offer safer spaces for students who identify with these groups (as well as for their allies); they also provide lots of volunteer and educational opportunities.

Multi-Faith support and resources: The Multi-Faith Resource Team is part of the DEO team and is made up of the university chaplains. They provide support and resources on theological and spiritual issues to people from all religious traditions.

Volunteering Opportunities: We hire one student intern each year and also provide lots of interesting volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in our volunteer opportunities or would like to share a diversity and equity-related project with us, please contact Laurier Brantford Education and Inclusion Coordinator Lauren Burrows at lburrows@wlu.ca or 519.865.6706.

Support and Community Connections: The DEO provides a range of formal and informal supports – for example, if you need non-academic accessibility support, community referrals, suggestions about resources related to diversity and equity, if you have experienced an injustice or if you have questions – we are here to help! The DEO can also provide support and advocacy. For more information on support visit the Community Connections and Support page in this section.

Practicum Opportunities: The DEO provides students with practicum opportunities. If you’re in a program that includes a practicum experience and you’re interested in working with us in the DEO, feel free to reach out and speak to our Education and Inclusion Coordinator, Lauren Burrows, at 519.865.6706.