The University of Guelph is committed to creating an open and transparent culture around preventing and addressing sexual violence. We know that combatting sexual violence requires communal, collaborative action, including involvement from units and departments across our campuses. The importance of this commitment cannot be over emphasized.

In 2018, the University of Guelph updated its Sexual Violence Policy and associated procedures for students as well as faculty and staff. In addition, in 2020, U of G received two reports with a series of recommendations related to improving our policies and procedures with respect to sexual violence. The first report is from the Sexual Violence Task Force, a group made up of both internal and external members. The second report comes from an external review of the Department of Athletics by McLaren Global Sports Solutions. Together, these reports offer recommendations that can help chart our path forward.

To support this commitment, the University is forming a steering committee on preventing and addressing sexual violence. Nominations to the committee are now being accepted.

Committee Responsibilities

• Receive regular reports from the Sexual Violence Advisory Committee (Students) and the Gryphons Athletics Sexual Violence Committee, as well as ad hoc reports such as the 2020 Sexual Violence Task Force and McLaren Global Sport Solutions reports; Review and oversee implementation of recommendations from these reports.
• Identify gaps, make suggestions for change, and initiate actions that will help us build a safer and more inclusive campus.
• Provide regular updates to the President, University Leadership Team and the Board of Governors.

The committee will meet 3-4 times per year or as needed.

Membership

Chair:

• Provost and VP Academic

Ex-Officio Members:

• Vice-Provost Student Affairs
• Associate Vice-President, Diversity and Human Rights
• Associate Vice President, Human Resources
• Chief of Staff, Office of the President
• University Secretary
• Director of Athletics
• Sexual Violence Support and Education Coordinator

Appointed Members:

• Undergraduate student (1)
• Graduate student (1)
• Faculty members (2)
• Staff (2)
• External member (1)

Members will serve a two-year term. Members who are appointed to the committee in the middle of an academic year will be appointed to terms that end at the end of a subsequent academic year with an end date that will ensure that the entire membership does not turn over at the same time.

Process
Expressions of Interest should be 1 page maximum and include the following information:

• Name/title
• Affiliation: College, Department, Program of Study, Alumni etc.
• A short description of why you are interested in serving on the committee
• A short description of your involvement or experience with sexual violence initiatives on campus or in the community
• To inform the composition of a committee that represents diverse lived experiences, applicants are encouraged to self-identify if they are a member of a BIPOC or other equity-seeking community. Survivors of sexual violence are also encouraged to self-identify.

Applications can be submitted in confidence by email by April 16, 2021 to provost@uoguelph.ca.