McMaster University EDI Groups

• The Gender Equity in Chemical Sciences Group (GEICS)
• The President’s Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC)
• The Equity & Inclusion Office (EIO)

Resources Available At McMaster University

• Counselling Resources at the Student Wellness Centre: speaking to a counsellor: the initial appointment is brief and helps to guide you towards an appropriate resource, including one-on-one counselling.
• GSA Empower Me: for graduate students, 24/7 phone counselling for depression, anxiety, grief, relationship problems, adjusting to life in a new country, addictions, mild substance abuse, educational conflict, disordered eating, and more.
• Women and Gender Equity Network: run by the ungergradute McMaster Students Union, this group supports women, trans folk, nonbinary people, gender-nonconforming people, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence of all identities.
• Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Office: The SVPRO offers response and support to those who reach out to the team. They offer also offer training and educational resources to faculty, staff and students as well as consultation and referral to other services. Starting a conversation does not immediately mean you are filing a report or complaint towards the individual(s) in question, and you are never forced to do so. It is starting a conversation, knowing what resources are available, and what your further options are.
  • Giving Support
  • Getting Support
  • Training and Workshops
• Pride Community Centre/ LGBTQIA+ McMaster students: run by the ungergradute McMaster Students Union, this group aims to challenge oppressive social attitudes and norms, patriarchy, homo/trans/bi/lesbophobia, and the like, at the systemic level
• Peer Support, Research, Advocacy
• Career Counselling
• Financial Support
• Support for inclusive teaching at the MacPherson Institute

Seeking Help At McMaster University

• Ombuds: Ombuds help with a variety of academic and non-academic issues, such as: academic dishonesty or research misconduct; course rules or management; difficulties with a supervisor or instructor; financial matters; behavioural or professional codes of conduct.
• Safety concerns should first be addressed to supervisors. Departmental safety officers: Julie Gauthier (gauthiej@mcmaster.ca, x26084) or Terry Chu (chut@mcmaster.ca, x24511)
• EOHSS contacts: support services available at this link or email eohss@mcmaster.ca.
• CUPE 3906 represents graduate students, undergraduates, and postdoctoral fellows. This is particularly relevant for concerns associated with TAships and teaching, including: guaranteed hours and workload; benefits such as healthcare spending accounts, dental insurance, childcare reimbursement, and UHIP rebates; leave; fair working conditions, and grievance procedures. The above links summarize details regarding your rights as graduate student TAs (first link, Unit 1). Concerns and questions can be addressed to the Chief Steward at chiefsteward_tas@cupe3906.org.
• Accessibility Hub: The one-stop shop for all things accessibility at McMaster, including:
  • Student Accessibility Services, which helps to arrange formal academic accommodations.
  • AccessMac: an on-campus program forming strategic partnerships with faculty, staff, and students in order to create and maintain a culture of accessibility and disability inclusion.

Resources For Responding To And Reporting Disclosures

Responding To Discrimination And Harassment:

• Blue Folder: The blue folder, which focuses on Human Rights and Dispute Resolution (HRDR), provides a printable guide designed for students, staff and faculty with information about McMaster University’s Discriminations & Harassment Guide.
• McMaster Discrimination and Harassment Policy

Responding To Sexual Violence

• Gold Folder: The gold folder provides resources on the Recognize, Respond, Refer model, which can be used to provide support to someone who has experienced sexual violence.
• McMaster Sexual Violence Policy
• Sign up for the SVPRO (Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Office) mailing list

Support/Advice On Specific Situations:

• Email or phone the EIO

Chemistry Societies

• Chemistry Working for Inclusivity in Chemical Sciences, Engineering and Technology (CWIC)
• Diversify Chemistry: is a database of academics to help bring visibility to underrepresented groups in the chemistry community.

Additional Resources

• McMaster’s 2019 Employment Equity Census Report
• McMaster Access Strategy website
• Policy Documents from the Equity and Inclusion Office
• Institutional Priorities and Strategic Framework, 2021-2024, from the Office of the President, McMaster University
• Canada Employment Equity Act
• Ontario Public Service Inclusion and Diversity Blueprint
• Advertising sources to recruit a diverse applicant pool