St. Lawrence College (SLC) has established a new task force aimed at advancing the College’s commitment to equity. 

Throughout the next few months, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) + Belonging Task Force will be taking steps to better understand the current state of equity/inclusion/diversity and belonging at the College by engaging in various forms of data collection.  

“The Task Force will provide opportunities for everyone at SLC to participate by sharing their experiences through a series of ‘listening tours’ and community engagement activities,” according to Senior Advisor, EDI and Belonging, Ekta Singh. “Our goal is to improve EDI and operationalize the College’s value of Belonging.” 

The Task Force will do this by working collaboratively to:   

• Conduct an environmental scan and document progress in the College in the areas of EDI and  our core value of Belonging.   
• Identify systemic barriers to EDI at SLC, such as policies and processes, hiring and retention, recruitment and admissions, program structure, and non-systemic barriers, including lack of awareness and understanding, climate, and attitudes.  
• Establish and implement an action-orientated plan for reducing barriers and setting measurable targets and accountability.  

The Task Force is comprised of various stakeholders including students, faculty, and staff from all three campuses. Also, most members self-identify as members of designated equity groups including racialized minorities, women, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQQ2S+, and Peoples with disabilities.     

“During our strategic planning engagement sessions, our students, employees, and community stakeholders agreed that including Belonging alongside Students First, Teamwork, Innovation and Integrity spoke to our SLC values and the ways we work, study and interact with one another each and every day,” said Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO, SLC. “I look forward to continuing this important work through our Task Force to ensure SLC is a place where everyone truly feels they belong.”