Goal 10 - Institutional Stewardship Initiatives

Institutional Stewardship Initiatives

Accessibility Resources

Following the University of Alberta’s Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate policy, the Office of the Dean of Students coordinates academic accommodations for prospective and current students with documented disabilities affecting mobility, vision, hearing, learning, and physical or mental health. The provision of academic accommodations helps to remove structural barriers encountered by these students in academic environments in order to facilitate equivalent learning opportunities.

Annual Undergraduate Enrolment Report

Strategic management of undergraduate enrolment is vital to supporting the University of Alberta in its objective to “build a diverse, inclusive community of exceptional students from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and the world.” 

These internal reports show success in the university’s institutional commitment to ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for Indigenous students. Indigenous enrolment reached an all-time high of 1,361 students in 2020–21, an increase of nearly 50 per cent compared to 2015–16.

Camp fYrefly

Camp fYrefly is a leadership retreat for queer and trans youth ages 14–24. Campers explore their identity, build resilience, enhance self-esteem and develop leadership skills that will positively impact their lives, homes, schools and communities. Campers participate in workshops, field trips and games, and they engage with an artist-in-residence. Camp fYrefly operates four programs across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan

The Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) implemented the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan in May 2017 to respond to the recommendation in the program’s 15th-year evaluation that management should require institutions to adopt greater transparency in their allocation, selection and renewal processes for chairholders. The action plan focuses on improving the governance, transparency and monitoring of equity and diversity within the program. 

Free Application Days

In the spirit of reconciliation and to honour Residential School survivors, the U of A waived application fees for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students from Sep. 30–Oct. 6, 2021.

Indigenous Initiatives

The University of Alberta has been working towards implementing the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action in thoughtful, meaningful and sustainable ways. The goal is to ensure that the University of Alberta is a welcoming and safe environment for Indigenous students, staff, faculty and community members and that programs and strategies reflect the institutional commitment to engaging Indigenous perspectives.

To this end, the University has undertaken a number of initiatives, including seeking ways to Indigenize course curriculums, creating an Indigenous hub website for easy access to an index of the University’s Indigenous programs, crafting land acknowledgements, and more. 

Rural eHUB

Rural eHUB is a collaboration between the University of Alberta, Alberta School of Business, the 4-H Foundation of Alberta and Rural Alberta’s Development (Legacy) Fund to support and encourage youth, high-impact rural entrepreneurship in Alberta.

Rural eHUB's Student Entrepreneur Awards (up to $4,500 per company) are competitive, one-time, direct awards to post-secondary students or recent graduates (within one year of post-secondary) of high-potential, growth-oriented startups that impact rural Alberta. This includes businesses and non-profits and social, environmental and cultural ventures that are either rural based or have rural-Alberta impact.

Strategic Plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

In 2019, the U of A released a four-year strategic plan to embed equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) into the culture of the university. Planned actions include bias awareness training for senior leadership, the development of guidelines for supporting EDI in teaching and research, and the incorporation of EDI into recruitment and retention procedures.

Transition Year Program

The Transition Year Program is an access program for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who may not be prepared to enter a faculty through the regular admissions route. The program provides its students with the best first-year experience possible, offering academic and cultural support, encouragement, community, access to Elders, and a network of peers and tailored classes to develop core writing and academic skills.

University Equity Statement in Student Affairs

The University of Alberta recognizes the diversity of the Canadian population and obligation to be accessible to all sectors of society. The University therefore encourages diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified persons including women, members of visible minorities, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, persons with disabilities, and sexual and gender minorities. The University Calendar will use gender inclusive language when referring to members of the University Community. In these ways, this demonstrates the University's commitment to accommodating and improving the representativeness of its diverse communities.