UPEI adds seven new EDI, sexual violence prevention and response, and student support positions
The University of Prince Edward Island has created seven new positions in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Office, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO), and Student Affairs. The seven positions are being funded by a combination of internal resources and new support from the Government of Prince Edward Island.
The funding support comes following the release of the University of Prince Edward Island Review, which recommended that the University increase staffing levels in the EDI and SVPRO offices to meet current needs and obligations. While the University immediately made this a priority, Dr. Greg Keefe, interim UPEI president and vice-chancellor, recognizes that further commitments and work will be necessary in a number of other key departments to meaningfully respond to the Review.
“During the listening sessions I held from September to November with students, staff, and faculty, I heard loud and clear that the University cannot only say or write words, but we also need to take action in order to rebuild trust,” says Keefe. “As recommended in the Rubin Thomlinson report, we need to continue to take action to make our campus safer and more inclusive. This includes expanding the resources in our SVPRO office; EDI office; Student Affairs; Human Resources; and Security Services. We thank the Government of PEI and the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population for this support.”
All new positions will be hired through a competitive process. The two new positions in UPEI Student Affairs are student support roles and the five positions in the EDI Office and SVPRO include Director, EDI and Human Rights; EDI Education and Training Officer; Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator; Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Officer; and Administrative Assistant.
The EDI Office and SVPRO will form part of the new EDI and Human Rights department at UPEI, which will have three major areas of responsibility: (i) equity, diversity, and inclusion; (ii) sexual violence prevention and response; and (iii) harassment and discrimination complaints. It will include responsibility for the administration of two critical policies—the Sexual Violence Policy and the new Harassment and Discrimination Policy. The new department will also play a leading role in operationalizing the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy for the campus and the anticipated action plan that is being developed in response to the Review.
