We are the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. The leadership of the school created this committee in the Summer of 2020, and the faculty unanimously agreed to the following statement of purpose:
SALA acknowledges the persistence of injustice and inequity in design education and practice. The school is dedicated to instigating systemic changes to combat various forms of discrimination. The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, established in response to calls for action amid global movements like Black Lives Matter, is tasked with guiding SALA’s governance and operations towards greater equity, diversity, and inclusion. This includes addressing racial injustice, as well as other forms of oppression such as gender, sexuality, religion, colonialism, and disabilities. The committee seeks to tackle these challenges not only within the school but also within the disciplines it teaches, aiming to bridge the diversity gap in the professions by reforming educational approaches, fostering inclusive communities, shaping research agendas, and strengthening partnerships with communities and stakeholders.