CAUT | ACPPU
Canadian Association of University Teachers
CAUT Policies
Policy Statement on Equity
The Canadian Association of University Teachers is committed to securing equity for members of marginalized groups disproportionately excluded from full participation in the academy. Such marginalized groups include but are not limited to Aboriginal peoples, women, visible/racialized minorities, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer and 2-spirited persons. The commitment to equity begins with the acknowledgement of inequity and demands proactive redress for the effects of systemic discrimination.1
Systemic discrimination results from normative practices. In the college and university environment, systemic discrimination has manifested itself in barriers to access, employment, governance, inclusion, respect and acceptance. The result has been that particular forms of knowledge production, dissemination and pedagogy have been privileged over others, a practice that has limited the scope of scholarship for marginalized groups.
1
The goal of equity is to achieve inclusiveness and social and economic justice through recognition, respect, numerical representation, accountability, responsibility and the development of balanced, healthy and harmonious working environments.2
2
CAUT recognizes the importance of Aboriginal perspectives that see equity as a continuing struggle to achieve and maintain balance between living things.
3
When assessing scholarship for career decisions, recognition must be given to different and diverse experiences of various marginalized groups. Diverse substantive contributions to knowledge must be welcomed in the university or college. Diversity demands representation of difference in terms of vision, values, cultural mores, methodologies and epistemologies in critical analysis.
4
Equity guarantees all people the freedom to realize and fulfil their potential, free from restrictions. Such restrictions include systemic discrimination, employment and education inequities, lack of accommodation and institutional structures, policies and practices which perpetuate systemic discrimination, and may enable a climate of hostility. An inclusive university or college is one that is active in eliminating these restrictions and promotes the full democratic participation of all its members.
5
Realizing equity is both an individual and a collective responsibility. CAUT commits to providing leadership in the work of combating systemic discrimination, removing barriers and actively promoting inclusivity.
6
Academic staff associations should take a leadership role in the realization of equity by negotiating equity provisions in agreements and by promoting equity within the association and its governance structure. Success requires openness, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of institutional life including but not limited to anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, employment equity, accommodation and salary equity.
Approved by the CAUT Council, November 2011.
Endnotes1. In [para. 34] in C.N.R. v. Canada (Human Rights Commission), [1987] 1 S.C.R. 1114.
2. This could include a position on the Association Executive Committee and/or the creation of an association committee or caucus related to Equity.
Top of page