Diversity and Inclusion in Ontario Universities

Abstract

In relation to institutional-level policy and planning, the Province of Ontario signed strategic mandate agreements (henceforth, SMAs) with all 45 publicly funded colleges and universities. The SMA planning process is a comprehensive, province-wide exercise that identifies the respective strengths of each university and directions for growth and development. This chapter reports findings from a qualitative analysis of SMAs that was conducted to understand priorities for diversity and inclusion in the province's universities. This chapter finds that the general focus remains on promoting diversity and inclusion in the international and Indigenous contexts. In these contexts, universities are making a range of efforts to support international and Indigenous students and enhance overall learning by internationalizing and indigenizing curriculum. Surprisingly, very little emphasis is placed on diversity and inclusion in the faculty and staff context within all SMA documents. The chapter concludes with recommendations for institutions seeking to bolster diversity and inclusion.