WUFA Equity Statement

WUFA's Equity Statement

The University of Windsor sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the Potawatomie.

The Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA) is committed to fostering equity for members of marginalized groups, including but not limited to: women; racialized persons; Black persons, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples; differently-abled persons; persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, or 2-spirited; francophones and all persons whose first language is not English; and immigrants and persons seeking immigration status. This commitment extends to our members, the University community more broadly, and to the extent that we are able, to the society in which the University and Association exist.

The goal of equity is to achieve inclusiveness and substantive social and economic justice. This requires more than abstract principles. The University must reflect the diversity of society. Work should be distributed fairly and standards of evaluation must take into account non-traditional forms of academic work. In addition, precarious labour and the overburdening of contract academic staff must be eliminated. Social and economic justice demands that all citizens should have equitable access the resources that they need in order to realize their goals and to participate fully in society.

WUFA is committed to these principles and to cultivating relationships based on mutual respect, cooperation, understanding, representation, accountability, responsibility, and the development of balanced, healthy, and harmonious workplaces and communities. The commitment to equity begins with the acknowledgement of inequity and demands proactive redress for the effects of systemic discrimination.

Realizing that equity and inclusivity, and economic justice are both individual and collective responsibilities, WUFA commits to providing leadership that opposes systemic discrimination, removes barriers, and encourages inclusivity by promoting equity within WUFA's work and governance structures. We are committed to holding both the University administration and our own leadership structures accountable by advocating for substantive, binding commitments to foster equity and inclusion. Success requires openness, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of the organization, including but not limited to: anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, employment and compensation equity, and accommodation equity.' 
On November 11, 2020 WUFA's Executive Committee approved the first WUFA Equity Statement, which was drafted, revised and finalized with the help of the WUFA President (JeffNoonan), WUFA Executive, and the WUFA Status of Women, Diversity and Equity Action Committee (SWDEAC).  In January 2022, amendments were approved by Executive Committee after input from SWDEAC and the Racial Justice Committee:  the most recent version is reflected above.

[Note: The above statement will be reviewed annually by SWDEAC, who will bring any necessary changes to the attention of Executive Committee]