About the IEO
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work at U of T has evolved over many years with key champions — students, staff, faculty, and librarians — engaging and advocating for equitable and inclusive spaces at the University. These efforts with institutional supports and leadership have culminated in the establishment of the University’s Institutional Equity Office (IEO) within the Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture.
Under the direction of the Executive Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the IEO supports and guides the Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO), the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (SGDO), and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Office, and works in partnership with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII).
Mandate of the IEO
The IEO will work collaboratively across the University of Toronto’s three campuses to build capacity, support communities, and provide leadership in support of Indigenous Initiatives, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism efforts that lead to a greater sense of belonging for all community members.
We will work to advance the University’s commitment to build communities in which human rights are respected and the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion are integrated into all areas of academic, work, and campus life.
We approach this work with care and compassion, and apply an intersectional lens to our programs and services. Our work spans a broad range of activities and initiatives that engage race and ethnicity, Indigeneity and reconciliation, sexual and gender identities, disability and universal design, religion (including antisemitism and Islamophobia), and intersecting identities.
Pillars of the IEO
The initiatives of the IEO are based on the following seven pillars:
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Strategy Development
Provide collaborative and community-based leadership on the development of anti-racism and EDI strategies and action plans; provide guidance on and establish alignment with central and divisional equity offices on EDI planning and implementation within divisions and across our three campuses.
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Indigenous Initiatives
Support and guide the U of T community as it continues to work towards reconciliation. Efforts are directed towards listening, coordinating, advising, and collaborating with academic and non-academic communities in addressing the University’s 34 Calls to Action.
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Communication and Accountability
Facilitate transparency and raise awareness of anti-racism- and EDI-related information and programming; establish accountability and feedback mechanisms for anti-racism and EDI commitments and change work with the University community.
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Education and Community Engagement
Provide opportunities for learning and capacity-building on anti-racism and EDI principles, tools, and strategies to advance and strengthen the efforts for institutional change.
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Complaints Resolution Supports
Enable and support the right of every member of the University community to live, learn, and work free of discrimination and harassment.
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Institutional Initiatives and Systems Navigation
To coordinate, lead, and implement collaborative EDI-related projects in partnership with key stakeholders that lead to culture shifts, systems change, and sustainable EDI-related initiatives and programs across the University.
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AODA and Universal Design
Work collaboratively with partners across the University to develop processes and programs to increase accessibility and to deepen the integration of universal design principles into all University activities.