November 8, 2018 – Agenda and Minutes

Members Present: Ameil Joseph (Co-Chair), Arig al Shaibah (Co-Chair), Grace Pollock (Vice-Chair, Staff), Mijia Murong (Vice-Chair, Student), Anne Pottier, Vanessa Watts, Amber Dean, Miranda Clayton, Andy Crowell, Juliet Daniel, Rodrigo Narro Perez, Chris Roberts, Tina Fetner, Shelley Porteous, Juliet Daniel, Sashaina Singh, John Williams, Karen Sutton, Sarah Cairns, Esra Bengizi, Sujane Kandasamy, Yimeng Wang, Karen Arnott, Catherine Booker

Member Regrets: Dawn Unwin, Chika Agbassi, Tanya Rumble

Community Members Present: Andrea Cole, Lilian Obeng, Daniella Miknovsky, Beth Vanderstoep

Equity and Inclusion Office: Joan Johnson (Minutes), Tolulope Ojo, Vilma Rossi, Kate Brown, Craig Foye, Chelsea Gibson, Pilar Michaud, Meaghan Ross, Princewill Ogban; Khadijeh Rakie (regrets sent)

1) Welcome and Introductions
Ameil opened the meeting by acknowledging that McMaster University sits on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee Nations, and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement (ref: IEC May 2016). Participants were then invited to introduce themselves and their affiliation with the University.

2) Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of October 4, 2018 were approved as previously circulated.

3) Introduction to and Overview of PACBIC
Arig discussed how the PACBIC Planning and Priorities Group has evolved, and how the PACBIC Committee can operate in an effective manner to make it an integral and impactful part of the University.

The language of equity, diversity and inclusion has been gaining traction and it’s important that these three distinct and inter-related concepts be discussed together.

It was asked how does the PACBIC committee operate in a way that is relevant but also collaborative with institutional governance.

PACBIC could be seen as “street meets the institution” as coined by Rinaldo Walcott, Associate Professor at OISE and Director of the Women and Gender Studies Institute at the University of Toronto.

4) Terms of Reference (ToR) Revised
Ameil presented a draft of the revised ToR (October 3, 2018). It was briefly explained how PACBIC and working groups came about, and how they have evolved over time. The deliverables of the ‘big’ PACBIC are communicated in an annual report containing recommendations from the various working groups. These recommendations are forwarded to the Board, Senate and University Planning Committee after approval by the President. Strategic thinking is now in the forefront with the appointment of the Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion Office. This appointment has given PACBIC more influence within the institution.

5) PACBIC and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at McMaster – Dr. Arig al Shaibah

See the attached presentation slides.

6) PACBIC Members & Working Groups – Updates & Reports
Ameil welcomed and introduced the 10 new members to PACBIC. There will be an ongoing discussion regarding the Co-Chair and Vice Chair positions and extending the term from 2 to 3 or 5 years.

Working Groups currently meeting:

• Race, Racialization and Racism (R3)

• First Nations, Mètis & Inuit Priorities (FNMI)

• Accessibility, Disability & Ableism (ADA) and Madness/Distress, Eugenics, Discrimination & Saneism (MEDS)

• Priorities and Planning

• Interfaith Issues

• Gender and Sexualities

(The LGBTQ+ working group and the Violence Against Women/Gender-Based Violence working group have merged into the new Gender and Sexualities working group)

7) Announcements
• October 30, 2018 – Andy noted that there was an outpouring of love and thankfulness expressed at the vigil held on campus. The vigil was organized by Hillel following the murders of worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

• October 30, 2018 – The Tarana Burke event held at both McMaster University and Mohawk College raised $12,000 for the Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area (SACHA). Tarana Burke is the founder of the #metoo Movement.

• November 9, 2018 – Dr. Arig al Shaibah in discussion with Senator Wanda Bernard – Reflections on Social Change Advocacy, Activism and Agency – Council Chambers, Gilmour Hall 111.

• November 29, 2018 – Let’s Talk About Race! Freedom of Speech and Race – L.R. Wilson Room 2001 – 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

• November 29, 2018 – Disability Discussions – Disability and Stigma -MUSC B111-11:30 am – 2:00 pm.

• December 3, 2018 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Disability and Mad Studies – Mills Library L501 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

• December 3, 2018 – What is Accessibility? Lunch and Learn Series – MUSC 205/205 -12:00 – 1:00 pm.

• Town Halls for students, faculty and staff on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Framework to be announced shortly

8) Adjournment and Next Meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for December 18, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. in Gilmour Hall Room 111 (Council Chambers).

Regrets to Joan Johnson at jdjohnson@mcmaster.ca.