Vice-Principal of Culture, Equity, and Inclusion (VPCEI) report
In its first year, the newly opened Office of the Vice-Principal of Culture, Equity, and Inclusion (VPCEI) has implemented strategies to foster inclusivity, from policy changes to ing diverse employees and student initiatives.
The Office of the VPCEI released its annual report, outlining how its inaugural year has gone. Stephanie Simpson, vice-principal (culture, equity, inclusion), started the report by touching on some of the changes, challenges, and successes of her new office.
One of the changes came in May of 2023 when the responsibility for employment equity data and equity web applications shifted from the Human Rights and Equity Office to the Office of the VPCEI, which oversees equity policy compliance and develops specialized surveys to equity initiatives within the University.
The mandate of the new office was also discussed, where the office wrote in the report its goal is to “advance a university culture that celebrates diversity by actively implementing inclusion actions and policies promoting equity.”
To meet this mandate, the report said they’ll be enhancing communication and outreach to promote their values, implement and monitor recruitment strategies used to find staff and students to ensure they’re equitable, partnerships and collaborations both internally within the University, but also externally with other universities and local groups, while ensuring compliance and transparency using reporting mechanisms.
The VPCEI also oversees the Inclusive Community Fund (ICF), a fund that provides financial for various projects, events, and initiatives. Funded by a $50,000 annual contribution from the Office of the VPCEI, the ICF has ed 19 initiatives since its inception. In the past year, it has helped facilitate a Diverse Employee Wellness Luncheon for faculty and staff, a sustainability-focused fashion show by the Queen’s Black Fashion Association, and an International Women’s Day celebration featuring campus women’s groups were all hosted. The ICF also s the Principal’s Black Student-led Initiatives Fund, which financed three projects this year.
To address challenges faced by new employees, particularly international hires, the Office of the VPCEI introduced a Community Integration Liaison role. This position works “collaboratively with university and community partners to the attraction and employment sustainability of top-talent faculty.” Along with this effort is the new Relocation and Immigration Website, offering resources to ease transitions for new staff.
This is the first annual report from this office, with annual reports continuing to come out in the fall of each year moving forward.
Equity Town Hall
The AMS Social Issues Commission (SIC) held an Equity Town Hall in Mitchell Hall on Nov. 26 to facilitate conversation between the student body, student leaders, and Queen’s istration. The initiative began during the pandemic to bring together senior istration and students to discuss areas of improvement for the University, according to Social Issues Commissioner (Internal), Jana Amer.
“We want to hear each other out, we want to learn a little bit more about what is going on behind the scenes,” Amer said in an interview with The Journal. “A lot of students have always come to me and said they would love to talk to senior istration about their issues, but the dialogue and way we went about it seemed to not really work.”
The Amer received from students led the commission to restructure the town hall into tables where students could talk to the istration in smaller groups rather than a like they’d done in previous years, giving students a chance to engage in close conversation with senior s.
At this year’s town hall, faculty included Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) Stephanie Simpson, Interim Dean of Arts and Science Bob Lemieux, Vice-Provost and Dean (Student Affairs) Ann Tierney, Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to the Principal Nick Mosey, and Associate Vice-Provost (Student Affairs) Corinna Fitzgerald.
The Commission announced on their Instagram they would be discussing topics of accessibility, student rights, equity, Indigenization, and more.
AMS commissions hiring
Highlighted in AMS Vice-President (University Affairs) Ruth Osunde’s report at the Nov. 18 Special General Assembly, two managerial AMS positions were reported to be vacant, including The Social Issues Commissioner (External) and the Orientation Roundtable Coordinator. These positions were filled and finalized one day after assembly.
READ MORE: First Special General Assembly of the year sees multiple motions debated
In an interview with The Journal, Osunde explained the Orientation Roundtable Coordinator position is typically hired around this time of year as their position serves a unique term, starting in early November or late December. This is because after fall orientation ends, planning for next year’s orientation begins, which necessitates a new coordinator.
While the reason for the former Social Issues Commissioner (External) stepping down wasn’t provided, Osunde explained how her role last year as Social Issues Commission (Internal) helped her the SIC during their search for a new external commissioner.
“I’ve done a lot of equity work, so in of ing that portfolio, I didn’t find it hard to, and it was just a thing of ensuring that Jana, who’s currently Social Issues Commission (Internal), and I were on the same page,” Osunde said.
Israel Week
Hillel Queen’s hosted its annual Israel Week from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1, featuring a series of events designed to highlight Israeli culture, food, music, and speakers.
Phoebe Starnino, CompSci ’27, vice president (external affairs) for Hillel Queen’s explained the week offers an opportunity to “recognize the only Jewish state in the world—Israel,” which serves as a cultural and spiritual centre for Jewish people worldwide.
This year, Israel Week included a collaboration with Run For Their Lives Kingston for a “Blue & White for the hostages.” An Instagram post of the event stated, “We walk and run because they cannot, and to remind those around us that we’re still here, still proud. We came together in solidarity and strength, meeting at the Time sculpture by the waterfront—created by Israeli Canadian artist Kosso Eloul.”
This year, Israel Week coincides with significant dates in Jewish history, including the anniversary of the United Nations 1947 Partition Plan, Starnino said in a statement to The Journal.
Additionally, Israel Week this year aligns with Sigd, the Ethiopian Jewish holiday, and the Day to Recognize Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands and Iran, which acknowledges the trauma experienced by “the 850,000 Jews ethnically cleansed from the majority of Southwest Asia and North Africa in the 20th century,” Starnino said.
Starnino expressed her hope that students at Queen’s “learn about Israeli culture, language, and heritage,” adding that Israeli students at Queen’s bring “unique perspectives and deserve to feel represented.” She emphasized the importance of celebrating Israeli joy, saying “Celebrating Israeli joy is so important, and I hope the wider Queen’s community takes part in Israel Week.”
While Starnino wasn’t involved in the event planning process, she encouraged participation and engagement with the events, hoping the Queen’s community would use the opportunity to “share in the pride Israeli students have for their identity and learn more about the only Jewish state in the world.”
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