Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at SFU: Fall in Review

As we begin the spring term, the Equity Office and partners continue to build a more equitable and inclusive community for all those who work, live, teach and learn here. Learn more about some of the important progress made throughout the past term.

Supporting families through infant and child feeding spaces on campus

At SFU, we are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where all feel welcome, safe, accepted and appreciated in learning, teaching, research and work. This past term, SFU opened infant/child feeding rooms – private, comfortable spaces designed to support nursing and new parents who need a place to feed their child. Each infant/child feeding room is equipped with comfortable armchairs, table, sink, changing table and electrical outlets. Rooms are located on all three campuses. Learn more and find locations.

Renovations underway at the Black Student Centre 

Renovations to the Black Student Centre (BSC) are progressing steadily, with a launch planned for February 2026. When the space opens, students will enter an open, welcoming centre designed for both connection and quiet restoration. The establishment of the centre fulfils SFU’s commitment to Black students and its commitments under the Scarborough Charter on Anti Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education. The refreshed environment will be warm, calm, and culturally grounded in African and diasporic design. Architectural elements draw on Afrocentric design principles through rhythmic patterns, geometric shapes, and natural materials. A new community kitchen will anchor gathering and connection through food, with terrazzo and mosaic inspired details, terracotta tile, and green woodgrain millwork adding texture, warmth, and vibrancy. The BSC will include four interconnected areas that support social gathering, wellness focused activities, and one on one support. The layout balances public community space with more private areas for healing and confidential support.

BSC programming helps Black students connect and thrive

This past semester, the BSC focused on advancing Black student wellness through culturally responsive, community-centered programming. Multiple Community Kitchen events were hosted fostering connection and belonging through shared meals featuring Ethiopian, Barbadian, Nigerian, and Jamaican cuisines, alongside interactive elements such as trivia and guided discussion. The BSC also offered the Black Support and Healing Space series, creating intentional and affirming spaces through sessions titled on Student Leadership, Self-Care Through Storytelling, Time Management for Neurodiverse Students, and Embracing Singleness as a Student. Graduate students participated in a Black Writing Collective, which combined micro-learning workshops on effective writing techniques and dedicated independent writing time to support progress on research projects and strengthen academic success. In addition, an Afrobeats dance co-hosted with SFU recreation generated enthusiasm, resulting in sold-out sessions throughout the semester, inviting participants from across the SFU community to engage with the cultural significance and joyful energy of Afrobeats.

Accessibility Committee welcomes newest members

In response to the Accessible BC Act and to meet the goals of the Equity Compass, SFU created its first pan-university Accessibility Committee in 2023. The purpose of the Accessibility Committee is to set accessibility standards, raise awareness about accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities and develop an action plan guided by the Equity Compass and interim Accessibility Action Plan. The Accessibility Committee met on October 27, welcoming new members and hearing from guest speakers who shared updates on accessibility initiatives across their respective units and portfolios in alignment with SFU’s Accessibility Plan. Learn more about the Accessibility Plan.

EDI Community of Practice hosts annual Equity Forum

2025 marked the third year of SFU EDI’s Community of Practice (EDI-CoPr). The EDI-CoPr was established in alignment with the Equity Compass strategic focus area of Education and Capacity-building, and specific calls to establish a community of practice for EDI leads and practitioners at SFU. The group continued its partnership with the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue and in October, held the fourth Equity Forum with facilitated open dialogues with SFU senior leaders and EDI-CoPr members to discuss current equity challenges and opportunities. Learn more about the on-going work and commitments of the EDI CoPr members.   

Launch of Early Career Mentorship Program for faculty 

Early career faculty often face challenges navigating SFU’s structures, securing research funding, managing teaching responsibilities, working toward tenure and promotion, among other complexities as they progress throughout their academic career. This year, SFU launched the Early Career Mentorship Program, a new initiative designed to offer a more coordinated and centrally supported one-on-one mentorship program for early career faculty at the university. It is a pilot program that is based on a successful model established by the Academic Women Mentoring Program that started in 2022.  

The mentorship program represents a collaborative effort among the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic; the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation; and the Office of the Vice-President, People, Equity and Inclusion. The program will be administered and housed within Faculty Relations. Learn more about the program.

Developing an anti-racism lens and neurodiversity inclusive practice in student services

Student Services EDI advanced capacity building by delivering two large scale trainings; one on neurodiversity and one on anti-racism, reaching more than 200 staff in each subject area and strengthening inclusive practice across student facing teams and leadership. This work advanced Equity Compass Goal 3 Education and Capacity Building by strengthening shared understanding, consistent practice, and accountability for equitable service delivery across Student Services. 

The neurodiversity session deepened understanding, challenged misconceptions, and shared practical strategies to better support neurodivergent students and foster supportive environments for staff, aligned with the Accessible British Columbia Act. The anti-racism training strengthened staff capacity to prevent and respond to racism by building an anti-racism lens across individual, interpersonal, institutional, and structural levels, distinguishing equity from equality, examining power and positionality, applying systems thinking tools such as the Iceberg Model, and reinforcing accountability for recognizing bias, addressing microaggressions, aligning intent with impact, and repairing harm. 

To keep this strategy responsive and targeted, Student Services administered anonymous unit specific surveys and synthesized the findings to guide future EDI training and professional development priorities.

Transforming healthcare in BC through inclusive leadership 

In June, SFU’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion office, along with Life Long Learning partnered with the Provincial Health Services Authority to host a symposium with nearly 200 healthcare leaders to advance inclusive practices in BC healthcare. The event introduced SFU’s Inclusive Leadership Collaborative and announced a new Equity in Healthcare certificate program that launched in the fall. Speakers emphasized culturally inclusive care, accountability and collaboration to create equitable, patient-centered systems.

Update your chosen name

SFU acknowledges the importance of chosen names – or preferred names – especially for transgender, non-binary and/or genderqueer faculty, staff, students and alumni. Chosen names can be more inclusive than legal names; where a legal name change may not always be accessible, chosen names allow individuals to use a name that reflects their gender identity, cultural background, personal beliefs, or other aspects of their identity that may not be reflected in their legal name. To learn more about SFU’s work in this area and step-by-step instructions on how to update your chosen name in SFU’s centrally managed systems and Student ID card, visit Chosen Names at SFU.

EDI-Related Supports

SFU is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive community for all. Important work is being undertaken by our Equity Office to ensure that SFU is a safe and welcoming space for all students, faculty and staff, including actively updating and sharing resources for those experiencing antisemitism or Islamophobia. Please see our list of identity-based supports and reach out if you need help. For all other supports, please visit our community supports page.