COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO MOVE PAST “WELL-MEANING” EDI INITIATIVES

As my term as EDI Project Coordinator ends, I find myself reflecting on the work that has occurred within the Association over the last three years. This past year I transitioned to a new role outside of Housing where my full-time job is focused on supporting my institution in furthering Reconciliation and Decolonization. Indigenous Initiatives and Decolonization, while related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, are distinct frameworks. Some institutions have begun to expand their acronyms to include variations of Indigenous, Indigenous Initiatives, and/or Decolonization, as a means of signalling their importance. The principles and actions related to these new letters are less clear and, in my opinion, often less thought out.

We are experiencing an interesting time in Higher Ed where our institutions are wrestling with their responsibilities to those who have been excluded from our communities and continue to face barriers to their inclusion. Steps toward Decolonization and Reconciliation have been included in a multitude of commitment statement and Strategic Plans. Much of what we see are broad goals that lack clear guidelines about how we need to move forward. As our institutions grapple with how exactly to follow through on these promises, they need to listen to the communities they are trying to bring in. They need to understand that further resources and supports are needed to do this work in an engaged and reciprocal way

It is clear to me that there are members of our community who understand the need to learn more about what it truly means to work toward these values. It is also clear there are those that feel “EDI” and “Decolonization” are only buzzwords; a current trend that warrants little attention before we move on to something else. Unmarked graves of Indigenous children continue to be found, Black people continue to be killed for simply existing, and trans people are experiencing legislated violence and persecution. Statements are no longer acceptable. We need to think critically about the frameworks we use for EDI and consider how we apply them to all aspects of our Housing operations. “Ally” is not a title; it is a practice.

It is clear to me that OACUHO can choose to be a leader in setting professional standards for Housing as they relate to our understanding of EDI, Reconciliation, and Decolonization. It is my hope that the Association will look to make key structural changes that demonstrate the need for this work to continue, in perpetuity, as a systemic function of our roles in Housing. I have been working with The Strategic Imperative for Anti-Racism and Indigenous Sovereignty (SIARIS) Advisory Committee to ensure that this is made clear to the Board of Directors and the Association membership as a collective One-off initiatives, trainings, and performative statements will not create lasting change. We must consider systemic changes to our principles that consistently include Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as core values that are demonstrated through practice.

I would like to acknowledge the BIPOC Network, which continues to connect monthly and build community among BIPOC Members. I want to give my gratitude to Kristen Mendonca, Membership Engagement Coordinator, for her unfailing support, thoughtfulness, and labour for this group. I give gratitude to Nouran Abdelrazik and Alaké Mills for taking on the brandnew administrative support coordinator roles and running with them to help grow the Network and build it into the structure of the Board. I also wish to give my gratitude to all the members of our Network that attend the meetings to support and connect with one another. It is my hope that the model for the BIPOC Network be used to create more identity-related affinity groups within our Membership, such as a group for 2SLGBTQ+ members and those who identity as having a disability.

We have a great opportunity to make real and direct change as a collective group. OACUHO can be a central body that promotes best practices and consistency across Housing operations while maintaining our distinct identities as institutions. I hope my colleagues across the Association will consider how they may support sustainable, structural change for OACUHO. As a collective we can choose to develop a standard of competencies and practice principles for all Housing professionals across our functional areas. This requires support from the highest levels of our institutions, and as such I would like to directly call on Senior Housing Officers to move past performative virtue-signalling and consider the needs of their operations, staff, and the student communities they serve.

The Association has a great opportunity to make change for our profession, but it requires the support of all our members. I am optimistic that we as an Association can continue pushing forward change in our industry by understanding that our professional spaces and the communities of students we serve can always be opened further

Savannah Sloat EDI Project Coordinator, OACUHO savannah.sloat@uwaterloo.ca

CONCURRENT SESSION #1

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2023 | 1:30PM - 2:30PM

STREAMLINING INDIGENOUS STUDENT RESIDENCE APPLICATIONS

SUSAN MILLER & AMBER WOODS: HUMBER COLLEGE

INDIGENOUS LEARNERS CAN FACE ADMINISTRATIVE BARRIERS AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING IN A MAJORITY NON-INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENT WHEN APPLYING TO LIVE ON CAMPUS. HUMBER REIMAGINED THE RESIDENCE APPLICATION FOR SELF-IDENTIFIED INDIGENOUS LEARNERS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION CALL TO ACTION TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS AND A SEAMLESS PROCESS TO REDUCE ADDITIONAL BURDENS ON SOME INDIGENOUS LEARNERS. WORKING TOWARDS THIS GOAL, WE REPURPOSED EXISTING AUTOMATED PROCESSES TO STREAMLINE ‘EXCEPTIONS’ THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN ADDRESSED OUTSIDE OF THE FORMAL APPLICATION PROCESS SO THESE EXCEPTIONS BECAME THE NORMS. SIMPLE CHANGES RESULTED IN STUDENTS HAVING A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AND STAFF HAVING LESS MANUAL WORK WHILE PROVIDING SERVICES AND MEETING NEEDS. JOIN US TO HEAR ABOUT HOW WE STREAMLINED APPLICATIONS TO ENSURE INDIGENOUS LEARNERS FEEL SEEN AND SUPPORTED FROM THEIR FIRST INTERACTION WITH HUMBER RESIDENCE, AND TO DISCUSS WAYS THAT YOU MIGHT ADAPT THIS FOR YOUR INSTITUTION.

LEADING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION

DENNIS GEELEN: TRENT UNIVERSITY

THE MOST DANGEROUS PHRASE HEARD WITHIN IN ANY TEAM IS "THIS IS HOW WE DO IT AROUND HEAR". THE SECOND MOST DANGEROUS IS 'THAT WILL NEVER WORK". THESE ARE HEARD IN TEAMS WHERE THERE IS NO CULTURE OF INNOVATION. BUT HOW DO YOU CREATE A CULTURE WHERE PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX? THAT'S WHAT THIS PRESENTATION IS ALL ABOUT.

THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR CONDUCT STORY: WHERE WE WERE, WHERE WE ARE NOW AND WHERE WE HOPE TO GO NEXT CANDICE BEAN & KELLY WARREN: WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY

IN AUGUST 2021, THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE AT LAURIER IMPLEMENTED STRUCTURAL CHANGES INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESIDENCE CONDUCT TEAM TO ALLOW FOR FOCUSED WORK IN DEVELOPING OUR CONDUCT PROCESS AND ALIGNING IT WITH OUR DEPARTMENTAL CURRICULAR APPROACH. THIS SESSION WILL HIGHLIGHT KEY CHANGES WE HAVE MADE TO EMBED ONGOING LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT INTO OUR PROGRAM AS A RESULT OF THIS INTENTIONAL SHIFT. WHILE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A CURRICULAR APPROACH TO CONDUCT CANNOT BE A SIMPLE ‘COPY AND PASTE’ BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS, THIS PRESENTATION WILL PROVIDE ATTENDEES WITH SOME KEY THINGS TO CONSIDER IF LOOKING TO MAKE CHANGES TO HOW CONDUCT WORK CAN BE DONE OR IF THERE ARE PLANS TO EMBED A CURRICULAR APPROACH INTO CONDUCT WORK AT YOUR INSTITUTION.

USING A MULTICAMPUS APPROACH TO CURRICULUM

DOMINIQUE DA SILVA & DILLION ARRUDA: WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY

WHAT VALUE DOES RESIDENCE ADD TO A STUDENT’S POST-SECONDARY EXPERIENCE? HOW DOES A MULTICAMPUS APPROACH SHAPE FIRST-YEAR STUDENT EXPERIENCE? RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP SEEK TO UNDERSTAND AND EXPLAIN DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES OF HOW A STUDENT LEARNS, GROWS AND DEVELOPS IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. AT LAURIER, OUR DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE UTILIZES A MULTICAMPUS APPROACH FOR THE WATERLOO AND BRANTFORD CAMPUSES TO ENSURE THERE IS CONSISTENCY ACROSS PROGRAMMING IN RESIDENCE. OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT AIM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF STUDENTS DURING THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION EXPERIENCE, WHICH CORRELATE STRONGER STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION TO SECOND YEAR AND BEYOND.

BUILDING BETTER TOGETHER: ENHANCING COMMUNICATIONS AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN RESIDENCE LIFE & RESIDENCE FACILITIES

ALLISON KEYES: QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY

THIS SESSION AIMS TO SHARE A CASE STUDY OF HOW QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY IMPROVED THE COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN RESIDENCE LIFE AND RESIDENCE FACILITIES STAFF IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF STUDENT BEHAVIOUR, DAMAGES, AND FEEDBACK LOOPS. THE PRESENTATION WILL REVIEW THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF BOTH RESIDENCE LIFE AND FACILITIES, IDENTIFY THE ISSUES THAT WERE ARISING DUE TO SILOING AND LACK OF COMMUNICATION, AND DESCRIBE THE MULTIPRONGED APPROACH THAT WAS TAKEN TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND COMMUNICATION CHANNELS. THE PRESENTATION WILL ALSO SHARE THE OUTCOMES AND FEEDBACK FROM BOTH SIDES, AS WELL AS THE LESSONS LEARNED AND BEST PRACTICES FOR OTHER INSTITUTIONS THAT WANT TO IMPLEMENT SIMILAR INITIATIVES.

CONCURRENT SESSION #2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2023 | 2:30PM - 3:30PM

RESIDENCE MOVE OUT PROCESSES: FROM ACADEMIC TO CONFERENCE SEASON IN UNDER A WEEK BECKY SHILLINGTON: QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY

WE MOVE 4600 STUDENTS OUT, AND FIVE DAYS LATER OUR CONFERENCE (HOTEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS) SEASON BEGINS- HOW DOES IT ALL COME TOGETHER? TEAMWORK. LEARN ABOUT OUR CROSS-FUNCTIONAL AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO RESIDENCE MOVE OUT- RESLIFE, FACILITIES, FRONT DESKS, RESIT, HOSPITALITY, AND EVENT SERVICES COME TOGETHER TO CREATE PROCESSES AND PLANS THAT SERVE ALL NEEDS AND SET EACH OTHER UP FOR SUCCESS. FROM SUPPORTING STUDENTS WHO NEED TO STAY LATE TO ENSURING ROOMS ARE IN BEST-CASE SCENARIO SHAPE FOR A FAST TURNOVER, THIS SESSION WILL PROVIDE A REVIEW OF OUR PROCESSES- THE STEERING/SUB COMMITTEE STRUCTURE, ROOM CHECKOUT PROCESS, EXTENSIONS/STAYOVERS, AND CONFERENCE TRANSITION OPERATIONS.

SHIFTING YOUR FOCUS: UNDERSTANDING YOUR STAFFING NEEDS KRISTIN MORGAN & JENNIFER SLADE: WESTERN UNIVERSITY

WITH OUR ROUND-TABLE SESSION, WE AIM TO HAVE A GUIDED OPEN AND HONEST CONVERSATION SURROUNDING STAFFING NEEDS ACROSS AN ACADEMIC INSTITUTION. OUR FOCUS WOULD BE ON SHARING THE KNOWLEDGE OF MANAGING HIGH VACANCIES AND CALL OUTS, AND HOW TO KEEP YOUR STAFF MOTIVATED, ENGAGED AND EAGER TO WORK.

FROM THE GROUP UP: REBUILDING ADVISOR TRAINING CASSIDY MCGUINNESS: UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

FROM THE GROUND UP: REBUILDING RESIDENT ADVISOR TRAINING WILL LOOK AT THE PROCESS THAT THE UBC RESIDENCE LIFE EDUCATION TEAM USED TO RESTRUCTURE, REDESIGN AND REDEFINE THE RESIDENT ADVISOR TRAINING PROGRAM THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND CURRICULAR MAP. IT WILL PRESENT THE STRATEGIES USED TO DEFINE WHAT RESIDENT ADVISORS NEED TO BE TRAINED ON, WHY WE WANT TO TRAIN RESIDENT ADVISORS ON THESE TOPICS (DO THE TOPICS ALIGN WITH OUR GOALS AND MISSION), HOW WE DEVELOPED OUR NEW LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND FINALLY HOW WE BUILT OUR CURRICULAR MAP FROM THOSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

BEYOND THE BINARY SUPPORT NETWORK PAIGE JULIAN & JACOB CLARKE: WESTERN UNIVERSITY

IN OACUHO’S 2022 STATE OF OUR PROFESSION REPORT, 4% OF PARTICIPANTS IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES AS NONBINARY, 0% AS TRANSGENDER, AND 0% AS TWO-SPIRIT ... ACROSS THE ENTIRE ASSOCIATION. OUR PANEL AIMS TO BRING VISIBILITY TO HOT TOPIC ISSUE FACING TRANS, NONBINARY, AND TWO SPIRIT PROFESSIONALS IN OUR FIELD. BY PROVIDING RESOURCES, GENERATING DIALOGUE, DISCUSSING BEST PRACTICES, AND INITIATING OUR BEYOND THE BINARY SUPPORT NETWORK IN HOUSING, WE HOPE TO BRING AWARENESS ACROSS OUR FIELD AND ADVOCATE BOTH STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE HOUSING COMMUNITY. ASK MEANINGFUL QUESTIONS AND LEARN FROM A PANEL OF PROFESSIONALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE. WHILE THIS PANEL IS OPEN TO PROFESSIONALS OF ALL GENDERS, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH A GROWING SUPPORT NETWORK IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE TRANS, TWO SPIRIT, AND NON-BINARY COMMUNITY.

PET-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES IN RESIDENCE

EMMA FERGUSON & BECKY SHILLINGTON: QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY

QUEEN’S RESIDENCE LIFE & SERVICES IS EXCITED TO OFFER A PET-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY IN RESIDENCE FOR THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR. STUDENTS CAN APPLY TO BRING THEIR PETS TO RESIDENCE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EASE THE TRANSITION INTO COMMUNAL LIVING, ENHANCING EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, WHILE LIVING IN A COMMUNITY WITH THEIR PEERS AND FELLOW PET OWNERS. THIS SESSION REVIEWS THE RESEARCH AND CONSIDERATIONS TAKEN INTO DEVELOPING THE COMMUNITY, CURRENT PRACTICES AT INSTITUTIONS, OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, ANTICIPATED CHALLENGES, AND PROJECTED OUTCOMES OF THE PROGRAM. CONNECTING TO THE THEME OF BUILDING BETTER TOGETHER, SHARING THIS INFORMATION WITH HOUSING PROFESSIONALS FACILITATES A COLLABORATIVE SPACE FOR DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITIES TO MEET THE EVOLVING ENVIRONMENTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS OF STUDENTS IN RESIDENCES. THIS PRESENTATION ACTS AS A BENCHMARK IN THE TIMELINE OF THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, WITH THE INTENTION TO PROVIDE CONTINUOUS UPDATES THROUGHOUT AND A FINAL SUMMARY REPORT IN SPRING 2024.