Diversity, Inclusion, Human Rights, Equity; Supporting Learning for All our Students & Marking and Grading

Diversity can be defined as all of the ways in which people differ from one another. The definition refers to both visible and nonvisible differences, such as but not limited to: age, ancestry, appearance, citizenship, class, colour, creed, culture, disability, ethnic origin, family status, marital status, receipt of public assistance, record of offences, same-sex partnership status, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and weight.

As stated in the ‘Guide to to Community Membership at York University’ issued by the Office of the President in August 2006:

York University values diversity and is committed to promoting a culture of mutual respect and inclusivity on campus. York University will uphold the rights and freedoms of all members of the University to work and study free from discrimination and harassment, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation or sexual identity, gender identification, disability, religion, nationality, or politics. Inherent in this is a rejection of hatred and intolerance of the identities, beliefs and politics of others.[President's Office]

More recently, President Shoukri reiterated York’s commitment to "always be vigilant to oppose intolerance in all of its various forms against people deemed to be of the ‘wrong’ colour, gender, sexual orientation, identity, background, politics, religion, nationality or disability." A Joint Statement on York's Community Values from the University Leadership

Centre for Human Rights

The mission of York's Centre for Human Rights is "to assist individuals and groups to address and resolve allegations of discrimination and harassment as defined by the Code and University policy" and to advance "a culture of human rights".

Equity Resources for Academic Planners

Equity Resources for Academic Planners, developed by the Senate Executive Subcommittee on Equity, and mounted on the York Secretariat web site, is a list of York units, committees, associations and other resources which support diversity and inclusivity

Ontario Human Rights Commission

Ontario's Human Rights Code, the first in Canada, was enacted in 1962. The Code protects people in Ontario against discrimination in employment, accommodation, goods, services and facilities, and membership in vocational associations and trade unions.

There are fifteen grounds of discrimination under the Code: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, disability, age (18 and over, 16 and over in occupancy of accommodation), marital status (including same sex partners), family status, receipt of public assistance (in accommodation only) and record of offences (in employment only).