EDI Update from the Anti-Racism Advisory Group

Over the past six and a half months, the Anti-Racism advisory group have continued to work towards meeting the milestones outlined in the action plan created in response to the Athletics Review of the Black Student-Athlete Experience. Below is a summary from the Anti-Racism Advisory Group (ARAG) of progress made over the past quarter. 

Education and Training
Education and training is an important part of the review response which will support the department's ongoing efforts to build a culture of inclusion.  In September we launched The Take 5 campaign, which aims to ensure all staff access a minimum of 5 hours of anti-racism education and training this year. All staff (including those who are fractional and/or volunteer) will attend a mandatory 2 hour anti-racism session this year delivered by the Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO).  In the training staff will be introduced to key principles and be supported to explore some of the themes raised in the review in a supportive and safe environment.  Staff are encouraged to continue their learning throughout the year through self-directed learning and taking advantage of many of the learning opportunities available through EIO.

Coaching staff also accessed training at this year's Development Day which featured an EIO led session on human rights, focused on the Ontario Human Rights Code and the University's Discrimination and Harassment policy.

Recruitment
We have begun updating some of our recruitment practices to support us in moving towards our goal of greater representation across all levels of staffing in the department. Specifically, we have ensured recruitment selection panels are diverse and a number of staff have attended the Equitable Recruitment & Search/Selection Committee Training provided by the Employment Equity team in HR. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)  has also been embedded into all new job descriptions and candidates at interview are asked about their experience and expertise in promoting EDI to ensure we recruit people who can help us build an inclusive department.  
 
Mental Health Support
The department recognizes it has a duty of care towards  Black student-athletes who shared their experiences of racism throughout the review process. Beginning in September the department is partnering with Rohan Thompson, Registered Social Worker and former Wilfrid Laurier student-athlete, who will be leading group check-ins with Black student-athletes on a regular basis and will also be available for one-on-one support. This initiative forms part of a wider programme of mental health support for McMaster student-athletes starting in Fall 2021, designed to ensure all athletes are well supported to transition back to campus and competition.

Internships
The Black graduate internship programme is designed to increase representation in the department and create pathways to leadership in the Athletics and Rec industry. We are delighted to have appointed David McCulloch, Teni Odetoyinbo and Emanuel Tewodros as our inaugural interns.  The interns, who began on Aug 30^th,  will be in post for one year and will work across the department on projects which are aligned with their career goals. Each intern will have the benefit of a dedicated mentor and line manager to help them get the most out of the experience.
 
Black Student Success Manager and Centre
Faith Ogunkoya has been appointed as the new manager of Black student success and will be overseeing the launch of the Black Student Success Centre, an initiative which emerged out of  the review.   The permanent role is focused on supporting the holistic success of McMaster students of Black/African descent as well as facilitating a positive Black student-athlete experience within the McMaster Marauders. The centre opened in Sept 2021 in  PGLLL M07. The manager will be on hand to provide advice and guidance to all Black students and ensure they are connected to services on campus.  Contact bss@mcmaster.ca for more information.
 
Athletic Financial Awards
The Black Excellence Athletic Financial Awards will be available to registered Black student-athletes on AwardSpring starting in October. The application will remain open until February 2022. All OUA and USPORTS AFA requirements need to be met as part of these awards. Contact Clare Arsenault for more information.

Discrimination and Harassment Reporting Procedures
All members of the  A&R Department should follow the Discrimination & Harassment Recognize, Respond, Refer Protocol outlined in the Blue Folder.  It is critically important that all incidents of possible bias, discrimination, harassment, hate are elevated immediately to the Athletics Director. Advice is also available from the Equity & Inclusion Office (equity@mcmaster.ca).
 
Thank you to our partners in HR, Student Affairs, the Equity and Inclusion Office, and the Office of Community Engagement for supporting the A&R Department with implementing the action plan.