Members of the President's Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism (L-R): Dr. Ehab Elsharkawi, Franklyn Southwell, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Dr. Tatjana Takseva, Brady Paul, Dr. Rohini Bannerjee, Natalia Storr, Deborah Brothers-Scott, Raymond Sewell
Action towards equity and diversity
Saint Mary's University has signed onto the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion In Canadian Higher Education: Principles, Actions, and Accountabilities.
Deborah Brothers-Scott, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, and Dr. Rohini Bannerjee
Created with input and collaboration from students, faculty, staff, relevant organizations and Black political and civic leaders, the charter reflects the post-secondary sector's shared recognition of the realities of anti-Black racism. It provides a concrete path forward to address these and create a more inclusive future. The charter follows four overarching principles: black flourishing, inclusive excellence, mutuality, and accountability.
"The President's Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism took a unique, deliberate and thoughtful approach to our signing and support of the Scarborough Charter," says Deborah Brothers-Scott, Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellness at Saint Mary's University and Chair of the committee. "We consulted with various areas of the university, such as the Saint Mary's University Students' Association, Student Affairs and Services, People and Culture and faculty. The charter was presented to the university's senate and has been endorsed by the board of governors."
Saint Mary's has already begun to implement some of the following actions, with all expected to be complete within the next year. The university:
has appointed Dr. Rohini Bannerjee as the Associate Vice-President, Diversity Excellence, with responsibility and accountability for diversity excellence, to work with the Associate Vice-President of People and Culture and the Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellness, to add focus on academic elements
will establish a Black Caucus consisting of Black faculty and staff
will utilize disaggregated data to make data informed decisions on Black representation and inclusion
will develop and implement a diversity excellence cohort hiring strategy to increase and retain Black and Indigenous faculty and staff
The President’s Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism played an instrumental role in reviewing the charter in association with the Anti-Racism Action Plan. The committee includes:
Deborah Brothers-Scott, Chair (Director, Diversity Inclusion and Wellness)
Dr. Robert Summerby Murray (President and Vice-Chancellor)
Tom Brophy (Senior Director of Student Affairs & Services)
Raymond Sewell (Faculty of Arts)
Dr. Naja Attig (Sobey School of Business)
Dr. Ehab Elsharkawi (Faculty of Science)
Dr. Tatjana Takseva (Faculty of Arts and Chairperson, Saint Mary’s University Academic Senate)
Dr. Rohini Bannerjee (AVP Diversity Excellence)
Franklyn Southwell (President, SMUSA)
Kyle Cook (Vice President - Academic & Advocacy, SMUSA)
Brady Paul (Indigenous Student Advisor)
Natalia Storr (Student/Alumni representative)
Download the Charter
The consultative approach that the university's committee took was applauded by Dr. Adelle Blackett, Canada Research Chair at McGill University’s Faculty of Law, who was the principal drafter of the charter.
"As a member of the Inter-Institutional Advisory Committee members for the national dialogues, I am proud that Saint Mary's University has signed onto the Scarborough Charter," says Saint Mary's President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "As an institution, we are committed to systemic change, change we will see through this charter."
Work on the Charter began in October 2020, when universities, colleges and other partners came together in conversation on how to meaningfully address anti-Black racism and Black inclusion. From there, the Inter-Institutional Advisory Committee (IIAC) for the National Dialogues and Action began drafting the charter, drawing from the input received from members of the community and sector. Further consultations on the drafted charter took place from March to June 2021, in which partners from Canadian universities and colleges took part in shaping the principles, actions and accountability measures contained within.
Signatories of the Scarborough Charter are following through on the promises made by universities and colleges in the summer of 2020 and by partner institutions at the October 2020 National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities. Signatories are committing to meaningful, concrete action to address anti-Black racism and to promote Black inclusion.