New human rights policy approved

The University of Victoria now has an overarching human rights policy to link and guide the university's existing human rights policies.

The policy was approved by the board of governors after more than a year of development and consultation by the university's director of human rights, director of equity, and assistant university secretary.

The policy stems from recommendations in the 2003 equity and fairness review and also has links to UVic's strategic plan, says Cindy Player, the university's director of human rights. "For UVic to be a university of choice for outstanding students, faculty and staff," she says, quoting from the preamble to A Vision for the Future, "requires a rigorous commitment to human rights and fairness."

The policy articulates the university's commitment to human rights, equity, fairness and enhanced diversity. It reflects the university's responsibility and desire to comply fully with human rights legislation and to prevent discrimination, resolve complaints, and educate the university community.

The policy was reviewed by the educational equity and employee equity working groups and the wider community provided feedback through the web. In response to this feedback, some language was clarified and a process to issue an annual "report card" evaluating the effectiveness of the policy was developed. The policy will also undergo a comprehensive review after three years.

The new human rights policy will be posted on the university secretary website at web.uvic.ca/univsec.