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From September 25, 2023, to November 24, 2023, the U��ݮ��Ƶ’s Sankofa Network for Transformative Community Research (SNTCR), in collaboration with the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Library, embarked on a mission to enrich the Sankara Pan-African Library. The resounding success of our Book Drive was made possible by the generous contributions and collective efforts of our vibrant community. We are thrilled to share that a total of 48 books were donated to this initiative.

The impact of these contributions extends far beyond the pages of a single book. By supporting the Sankara Pan-African Library, we are participating in a movement that strengthens communities and amplifies subaltern voices while pursing the decolonization of knowledge.

This season of the Amplify Podcast is a dedicated platform for University of ��ݮ��Ƶ students to openly discuss the challenges they face in navigating academia while holding marginalized identities. This space is one to honour their journeys, discover supports and allow those of us at the margins to see our stories centered.

This year’s Employee Equity Census (previously known as the Equity Survey) has launched in Workday.��

The goal of the census is to continue an ongoing confidential collection of socio-demographic data to better understand the composition of the U��ݮ��Ƶ community and to inform equity initiatives across the institution. Data from this year’s census will begin to be compiled in September 2023.��

The first survey was launched in June 2021 via email to almost 50,000 students, faculty, and staff, and achieved a 26 per cent��student participation rate and a 46 per cent��employee participation rate. The census will be administered to employees via Workday.����

“Data from the previous census resulted in impactful changes, proving that data-focused initiatives like this inform the direction of our institution and bring us closer as a community,” Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism Christopher Taylor and Interim Chief Human Resources Officer Michelle Hollis wrote in a recent communication to leaders. “The��Cluster Hiring Initiative,��tuition waiver, and the��integration of pronouns into the University data systems��are all positive outcomes of the information collected from the previous census.”��

The Employee Equity Census will take only a few minutes to complete. Please participate at your earliest convenience because data collection for this year’s annual report will close on October 31, 2023.��

Learn more about the Employee Equity Census on the��Equity Data Strategy��website. If you have any questions about the census, its methodology and how its data is used, you can email��analysis@uwaterloo.ca.��

Watch this short��video��on how to access the Employee Equity Census in Workday or follow the steps below.��

1.��Click the link that was sent to you in the��U��ݮ��Ƶ’s Employee Equity��Census��email or click the link below:��

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2.��Login to Workday.

3. The��Create Request��textbox will appear. Click on the��Request Type��drop- down menu.

4. Select��All.

5.��Select Employee Equity Census and then click OK.

Learn more about the��Employee Equity Census��on the��Equity Data Strategy��website. If you have any questions about the census, its methodology and how its data is used, you can email��analysis@uwaterloo.ca.

Celebrating Emancipation Day at U��ݮ��Ƶ

Following years of campaigning by Black lawmakers and community advocates, in 2021, the government of Canada federally recognized August 1, as Emancipation Day, and the month of August, as Emancipation Month.

While it was less than 200 years ago, in 1834, that the British Empire ended the practice of slavery in the former British colonies, which included Canada, many Canadians are unaware that Black and Indigenous peoples were once enslaved here.

March 31^st is Trans Day of Visibility.

We celebrate trans students, faculty and staff; trans scholars, artists, and community members and��celebrate their diverse contributions to all facets of life and our community. It’s a day to add visibility to folx who are often��invisibilized, and centre their voices and experiences.

UPDATE: As of February 3, 2021, please note Friday prayer is cancelled for the winter term. In accordance to health recommendations and regulations, along with the need of the campus community, Friday prayer space will be evaluated for the spring term.

January 28 is an opportunity to talk about mental health. It helps to normalize conversations around mental health, remove stigma and harmful barriers, and recognize that it’s okay to not be okay.

Last year, Brock University Faculty Association ratified a new collective agreement that contained important contract provisions designed to advance measures aimed at restoring and renewing Indigenous practices and knowledge systems.

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ and Canadian universities and colleges across the country are coming together on October 1st and 2nd to facilitate a national conversation to develop concrete actions for change in higher education and in our communities.��