SUS Equity

Applications are still being accepted for the Equity Portfolio!!! This is an awesome opportunity for anyone wanting to get involved with the SUS and work to promote more equitable and safe spaces on campus!

In the wake of horrific ant-Asian racism and violence against Asians, we at SUS Equity wanted to reaffirm our support of the Asian community and to unequivocally condemn all forms of racism and xenophobia. It is important to recognize that anti-Asian racism is not a new phenomenon and we all need to stand up and confront racism in whatever forms it takes.

Our hearts go out to members of the Asian community. We cannot imagine the pain and grief you must be going through but we hear you, we see you, and we value you.

Below is a list of resources we have compiled that includes: support organizations, Asian community/advocacy organizations, and educational resources.

Please feel free to share!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TIkRbxPNC4V7_7eZz2uJ00peTT9Ksk57YwNG5ZmD70s/edit?usp=sharing

Google Docs - create and edit documents online, for free. Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

If you're interested in equity work and would love to get more involved with the SUS, the appointed position application and SUS Equity Commissioner application is out now!!!

SUSAppointed Positions Application Winter 2021-2022.pdf

Hello everyone! Hope March is going well so far! We'd like to take this opportunity to share details about a QPIRG McGill anti-racism event-series called "Culture Shock"! Here is a blurb about the event:

"Culture Shock is an annual event series on anti-racism organized by QPIRG-McGill. It seeks to bring together racialized communities to discuss issues relevant to their lives, as well as to allow those who do not belong to these communities to learn more about struggles against racism, colonialism, and border violence.
This year’s theme is “Beyond the Horizon” -- what does it look like when we get past this point of current struggle? What are our visions for how our communities will thrive in the future (and what work was done to get us to that future point)?
Check out the full schedule on Facebook or qpirgmcgill.org/cs/

(Image by Shanna Strauss)

The SUS Equity committee will be holding one-on-one office hours for individuals who would like to address any equity related concerns or would to learn more about filing a complaint under the involvement restriction policy (IRP).

The IRP is a contract and policy that processes, investigates, and acts on complaints of any inappropriate conduct, such as discrimination, harassment, or violence. Any McGill students who would like to know more about the investigation process or would like further resources are invited to drop in at our office hours.

Zoom links and times may be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lfokZz45ILYaIHqUWd49-Fm90ypH8ZkiIZwbeZ0kr-c/edit?usp=sharing

These sessions will be confidential, and people can withdraw a complaint at any time. If you unable to attend at the allotted times, you can email [email protected] to set up a meeting.

The SUS equity committee aims to promote a safe space for all students, including in the classroom. Therefore, we find the comments and publications made by professor Douglas B. Farrow unacceptable and we urge the SRS and McGill to prioritize inclusivity in an acedemic environment. We also invite anyone who has been affected by the following discrimination to consult the resource list at the end of the statement.

Black History Month 2021 is almost here! The opening ceremony will be held on February 1 from 4:30-6:30 pm! Check out this post from OSVRSE to learn more and to reserve a spot!

Black History Month at McGill 2021 begins on Monday, February 1st with an Opening Ceremony from 4:30-6:30 PM! This event will feature a keynote address by Dr. Onye Nnorom MD, CCFP, MPH, FRCPC, Assistant Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health of University of Toronto, a Q&A period, and a performance by West-Can Folk Performing Company. Reserve your spot here today https://www.mcgill.ca/equity/initiatives-education/black-history-month/black-history-month-2021-schedule-events/black-history-month-2021-opening-ceremony.

Healing Forward is the theme for this year's Black History Month at McGill. To learn more about the many events taking place and how to get involved, visit https://www.mcgill.ca/equity/initiatives-education/black-history-month/black-history-month-2021-schedule-events

With add drop right around the corner, it’s important for students know their rights and the official guidelines for exams and classes! The following document outlines the Faculty of Science Winter 2021 rules for the virtual classroom experience and who to contact if these rules are violated.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ZQMymLMXXTskqA20AnaLQwRxieW28tkIhv__n5gfmA/edit?fbclid=IwAR1SeAIwe02gS1ErRfcdKrEXERHaTvFivaytD9vgFosn0NgDHcKeReOrQkQ

WINTER 2021 WHAT TO DO Any questions? Email me! [email protected] I think my class is unfair -- what now? It goes against McGill rules/Faculty rules directly I don’t know if it goes directly against McGill/Faculty rules It does not go against McGill rules/Faculty rules directly, but it violates the spirit of the ...

Check out the post below 👇👇👇 by Cracks in the Mosaic detailing equity at McGill University!

We at SUS Equity stand in solidarity with the Mi’kmaq and the Indigenous Student Alliance. Included down below is a statement released by the Indigenous Students Alliance addressing the recent attack on the Mi'kmaq fisheries and indigenous lives in Nova Scotia and a document containing ways to help! Please read the statement below to find out how you can become more informed.

WAYS TO SUPPORT MI'KMAQ TREATY RIGHTS & LIVELIHOOD FISHERIES.docx

The Campaign is back from September 21-October 2, 2020 with another great line-up of events! Designed to create a dialogue about and increase the understanding of consent, healthy relationships, and sexual violence prevention and support for survivors, all are welcome to attend. On September 22, from 6-8 p.m. join the Office for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education (OSVRSE) for their opening event Movies for Mental Health (Supportive Communities for Survivors). This free, virtual workshop harnesses film to engage with participants on the vital topics of mental health, and the mental health effects of sexual violence on individuals and communities. They will be using short films, text-based chat discussion, and a panel to explore how you can take action to support survivors of sexual violence at McGill and in your life. Reserve your spot here bit.ly/mcgill-m4mh-online-sv! To learn more about the great line-up of events, follow the OSVRSE on Facebook and Instagram or check out the OSVRSE website.

McGill University presents: Movies for Mental Health (Online) A virtual workshop featuring award-winning short films, mindfulness activities, & panel discussion with students & mental health resources.

These graphics are a basic guideline for the Involvement Restriction Policy.

If you would like to file a complaint please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/YZKCNdfCQccpRELS8

The complete policy can be read here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yIw4yUHUAFW2V_6VmMhYjnelKR-cVH5O

Sign up to participate to this workshop facilitated by an extremely talented facilitator!!!

Let's all work on creating a McGill campus culture that focuses on equity and anti-oppression!!!

Equity 101: At McGill & Beyond

Check out the appointed positions under the SUS Equity Portfolio and join us to work on making SUS more equitable this year!

Copy of Appointed Positions Package Winter 2019- extended (2).pdf

Read the SUS Statement in solidarity with the kia'i on Mauna a Wakea!!!
This is especially important today as there is word that law enforcement is planning on forcefully removing the protectors peacefully protesting at the Mauna tomorrow!

Indigenous Awareness Weeks is happening soon!!!!

Congratulations to those who put labour into the campaign, especially everyone at Indigenous Student Alliance and SSMU Indigenous Affairs!
It took McGill a little long to choose to rename the McGill’s Men’s Varsity Team, but we are delighted that this decision was taken.
We hope that reconciliation and decolonization will not stop after changing the name. There is a lot that needs to be done to support Indigenous people, and we encourage everyone to get informed, listen to Indigenous voices and support their movements.

Many of you have already seen the email from Principal Suzanne Fortier, announcing her decision on the R*dm*n name. We are overjoyed about the decision to rename the men’s sports team. We want to thank all of you who’ve supported us and worked tirelessly on this campaign. We’re particularly grateful to Tomas Jirousek and Carlee Kawinehta Loft for the incredible love and time they’ve put into making this change happen. Most of all, we’re grateful for the work of all of the Indigenous student groups who came before us, who’ve pushed for this change for decades. This change wouldn’t have been possible without everything that they’ve done to make McGill a safer place for Indigenous students. While there is still a great deal of work to be done in making McGill a place where Indigenous students can thrive, we are so excited for the future. Thank you, we have so much love for you all!

After calling out the lack of available gender-neutral washrooms in the Athletics facilities during the final examination period, SUS Equity has received the following response from Angela Campbell, Associate Provost (Equity and Academic Policies):
“We have confirmed that there is a gender-neutral facility on the ground floor [of the Currie Gym] that will be made available for students writing exams. Invigilators will es**rt any student wishing to use this facility, so that they can find it easily.”
Enrolment Services has now included this in their training for invigilators.

For anyone who has felt the violence of not having facilities they can safely use during finals, we are sorry. We hope that this will help.
SUS will always strive to make our university a more inclusive space for marginalized students, which we can achieve by holding the administration accountable to its faults.

The SUS Equity Committee aims to promote equity in the Science Undergraduate Society. If you wish to suggest ideas to make SUS more equitable, please email SUS Equity at [email protected].

If you wish to submit an equity complaint regarding a SUS or departmental event, member, or issue, fill out this form: https://goo.gl/forms/hRuObYEdWh62gOSK2

SUS Equity Complaint Form If you are unsure whether to or how to fill out the complaint form, please feel free to contact the SUS Equity Commissioners at [email protected] and they will guide you through the process. You can read the Equity Complaints section of the SUS Equity Policy By-Laws found on the following webpage....

When we think about science and science education, it is important that we include narratives from marginalized people and don't only teach professionals how to interact with the majority. That is the only way we can make sure that science doesn't contribute to oppression.

Read this amazing article telling the stories of nonbinary individuals and their experience with medical transition.

What It’s Like to Medically Transition As a Nonbinary Person "How do you make sense of your body and how it’s changing when all available narratives feel too gendered to apply?"

Hello everyone, as you know, SUS elections are going on! Please exercise your right and vote at https://ssmu.simplyvoting.com/index.php
If you already voted earlier today, the ballot was cancelled for procedural reasons (as of 3pm on February 25th), so please vote again!

Elections SSMU :: Online Voting Elections SSMU online voting website

Celebrate Black History Month with Black Students' Network of McGill and join them for Soul Food Friday tomorrow!

“Soul food is more than a meal, it’s a mean of transmission. Every perfectly seasoned bite serves as proof of the successful passing down of culture, knowledge and history. Whenever I prepare soul food, I leave a symbolic mark of my passage in the Black history. I feel pressured to follow the recipe, as a sign of respect to my heritage. Once the concoction is completed, the gathering of family and friends around the food allows us to celebrate how much we have accomplished as a community, and how far we will go.” (Christina Sainvilus)

Untitled (Eating Lobster) from Kitchen Table Series, 1990, Christa Mae Weems

As today is the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, we wanted to take this opportunity to share this article and bring light to the multiple obstacles that women, especially women of colour, have to face when working in science.

http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2015/02/barriers-women-color-science

Barriers for women of color in science

"Acknowledging implicit bias and promoting diversity and inclusion doesn’t only enable better science; it is a crucial first step for fixing a broken STEM culture."

Read this amazing, eye-opening article about bias and diversity in science!

How Implicit Bias and Lack of Diversity Undermine Science The first step toward fixing the culture of STEM is recognizing that it’s broken

Welcome (and welcome back) folks!
We are excited for another wonderful year at SUS Equity, and we hope you are too! We'd love love LOVE for you to join our team and contribute to making SUS and science more equitable.

Apply to be on the SUS Equity Committee here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T1HDUsqrXhjPezlMvI8YX7-WFKrAmI-w/view
To learn more about the Equity Committee and other SUS appointed positions, visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10fBTCSGam0BIA82HtvZFz1pjFXUPj1nH/view

SUS Appointed Positions Application 2018-2019.pdf

Next week, SUS Equity will be hosting a panel alongside AUS Equity discussing Accessibility in Health Care! We will have talks from researchers, practitioners, and activists, as well as ~~snacks~~

Tuesday, March 27 from 5:30-7:00 in Bronfman 340

**SSMU EQUITY POLICY FEEDBACK **
SSMU Equity
If you would like to participate in providing feedback for our Policy revisions, we are holding two focus groups at the end of this month to collect and record all your input. These dates will be provided next week however we also welcome and encourage individuals/groups to arrange individual meetings with us if that is more comfortable.

Equity Policy Feedback Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. We are hoping to use this anonymous feedback to improve your ability to use the policy and to make it more reflective of how students would like SSMU’s support in the area of equity. Terms: Claimant: individual or group issuing the complaint R...

Hey everyone! If you're interested in joining our team this year, please fill out this form! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccyyZq5DbTL4z3OBv5FOCWfTJkGIDuOdIMIXhJNBo06tlynw/viewform

Thanks! We can't wait to work with you :)

SUS Equity Committee Application Thank you for your interest in SUS Equity! As we are looking to grow our team and extend our efforts to increase equity awareness at McGill and in the Science Faculty, we will be taking applications from all students enrolled in a science undergraduate program (B.S and B.A &Sc.). If you have any que...

Hey all! We'll be handing out free self-care bags containing juice, candy, granola bars and more in front of Schulich library starting from noon today! Come quick before we run out! Can't wait to see you then! No matter how exams go, just remember, dogs love you!

Respecting and protecting trans people is necessary. Here's a great post with some important points to consider on the (and every other day!)