Equity Case Studies Report - School of Social Work - University of ...

UBC school of social work equity and diversity strategic plan: A compilation of case studies 65
designated groups. As another example, UC Berkeley has affirmative action guidelines
that apply to all of the University of California schools (see Appendix E for more
information). Affirmative action policies and guidelines are essential in improving
educational equity, diversity, and inclusion in faculty recruitment, hiring, support, and retention.
It is also important to establish a set of complementary and interrelated policies regarding antiracism,
anti-discrimination, and accessibility. It is recommended that the School of Social Work
at UBC begin a process of establishing such policies and guidelines.
It is also vital to note that discussions regarding affirmative action – both for faculty
hiring and student admissions – frequently include the concepts of merit versus special treatment
and “leveraging diversity” (Iverson, 2007). This is problematic as it does not acknowledge that
merit
Affirmative action policies and guidelines are essential in improving educational equity,
diversity, and inclusion in faculty recruitment, hiring, support, and retention. It is also
important to establish a set of complementary and interrelated policies regarding antiracism,
anti-discrimination, and accessibility.
is
based on Euro-western, patriarchal normative standards (Iverson, 2007), and that it is a criteria
created by those in power (Blackmore, 2002). As Iverson (2007) illustrates, racially minoritized
faculty are frequently seen as outsiders, disadvantaged, and at risk; rather than being recognized
for the contributions they bring to the university. It is recommended that during UBC School of
Social Work’s process of establishing equitable hiring and admission policies and practices, the
School acknowledges the inherent inequity that exists in these perspectives.
Another example of processes and practices that address recruiting, hiring, supporting,
and retaining minoritized faculty is provided by the University of Sydney (U of S), which has a
Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit on-campus. This program promotes the hiring of
women, people with English as a second language, Indigenous people, and people with