The Equity Committee was established within the Sociology department in the Winter Term of 2006-07 to focus on a wide range of equity issues. Our mandate is to promote the intellectual spirit and concerns of social justice and equity studies—the analysis of historical inequalities of race, gender, sexuality and disability and support for greater equity, justice and diversity in social and political life.
The practical mandate of the committee includes developing departmental initiatives in curriculum development and planning, departmental policy and administration related to teaching allocation, graduate admissions, graduate student recruitment, scholarships, the teaching/research/learning environment, and research and departmental resources for faculty and students.
The term ‘equity’ acknowledges that at times the allocation of resources and entitlements may need to focus on particular groups, individuals or areas of concern in order to allow and encourage their full participation in departmental practices and decision-making. The touchstone of equity is proactive intervention on behalf of subordinate groups. Through history and through government and institutional initiatives, specific groups have been identified as the focus of concerns about equity.
The activities of this committee are not, however, limited to these groups but remain sensitive to the particular equity concerns of the Sociology department as they arise. As a result, concerns about equity may include childcare and family needs, the allocation of space, funding and teaching, practices around hiring, promotion and retirement and research agendas, particularly as they affect members differentiated on the basis of race, class, gender, sexuality, age, religion, ethnicity, ability, political and research commitment, and intersections of these.
The committee also explores how the Sociology department as a whole can continue to work in equitable ways, and in ways that reflect the intellectual concerns and spirit of current research in equity studies.