The Social Justice Institute Statement of Respect and Inclusion

The Social Justice Institute (SJI) is a multidisciplinary field, which brings together teachers and students from diverse academic and personal backgrounds, ways of learning, communicating and responding to assignments. This diversity is an intellectual asset that can benefit from common principles of critical thinking and academic guidelines in evaluation procedures across all Institute courses. Instructors will adapt these general principles and guidelines where necessary in their own courses. Non-sexist, non-racist, non-homophobic, non-transphobic and non-heterosexist language is expected in the SJI class discussions and course assignments.

The SJI is committed to creating a respectful workplace and learning environment that supports inclusion based on the principles of equity, diversity and social justice. Our Institute’s commitments and approach to ensuring these principles at the institutional level include progressive approaches to inclusive campus culture; equitable demographic composition; orienting new students, faculty, and staff to relevant policies and procedures; and a social justice perspective on learning, teaching and research in order to create an educational and employment environment that supports our community members’ full participation. The Institute is committed to providing accessible, usable, and welcoming spaces for faculty, staff, students, and visitors with disabilities, members of racialized communities, trans and gender-diverse peoples, regardless of their age, income, social status, religion, ethno- linguistic, nationality and citizenship status.

The Social Justice Institute’s courses occur in learning environments that are inclusive of gender identity, gender expression, sex, race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, ability, age, etc.  Students, instructors, visitors and readings/media in GRSJ courses often raise controversial issues. Learners and educators expect to be treated respectfully at all times and in all interactions. Disagreements can occur among course participants without being disagreeable and offensive.

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