These terms of reference establish a comprehensive framework for guiding the Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee's activities, aligning with the university's core values of equity, safety, and inclusion, leading to systemic change within the institution. These draft terms of reference shall be reviewed and updated based on recommendations by the Advisory Committee, once formed.
Goal: To identify a pathway to transform StFX Varsity Athletics into a fully equitable and safe environment by 2028.
Objective: To develop a StFX varsity athletics’ implementation and accountability framework action plan to enable StFX University to be leaders in equity and safety in Canadian university sport.
It is anticipated that the Advisory Committee will begin by reviewing the strategic directions, priorities and actions articulated by the associated committees, reviewing varsity athletic strategic directions, priorities and actions set by the existing policies at StFX and elsewhere, analyze gaps, research best practices, engage stakeholders to develop and recommend actions that promote equity, and safety in sports. The actions should address issues related to gender, race, ethnicity, disability, the inherent power imbalances between student athletes and coaches, and other forms of diversity and inclusivity, as well as ensure the safety of varsity athletes.
Responsibilities
The Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee ’s responsibilities include:
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Conduct a comprehensive review of existing policies, guidelines, and practices related to equity and safety in athletics.
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Identify strengths, gaps, challenges, and areas of improvement in current policies and practices.
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Incorporate and apply existing research in University Athletics focusing on gender equity, racism and inclusion, including the recommendations of the Watershed Legal Projects (formerly CCLISAR) spring 2024 review of the University’s sexualized violence policies and practices.
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Engage with relevant stakeholders, including student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, advocacy groups, and experts, to gather input, insights, and feedback.
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Develop an implementation and accountability framework including recommended resources to implement the identified actions.
Composition
Membership
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Director, Athletics & Recreation
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Manager, Varsity Athletics & Communications
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Two members of faculty with experience in equity, and sport.
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Two members of the coaching staff, one of whom must be a coach of a female team, and one of whom must coach a male team.
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Two student athletes
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Director Human Rights and Equity
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Director of Development
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VP Administration and Finance – Co-Chair
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VP Students – Co-Chair
The VP Finance and Administration and the VP Students will select committee members which will include members who bring lived experience as a varsity athlete and of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups.
Staff will be assigned to support the work of the Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee and/or Working Groups. These staff include, but are not limited to, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocate, the Human Rights and Equity Response Advocate, the Director of Health, Counselling and Accessible Learning, the Director of Student Life.
The Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee or Working Groups shall engage subject matter experts and groups/units, such as the Human Rights and Equity Office, units within the Students’ Division, Advancement, and other such groups may be advisors or consulted, including external advisors as determined appropriate by the Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee will establish at least two working groups:
Equity Working Group to create implementation plan and accountability framework for Athletics.
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Employment Equity
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Equitable Resourcing
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Power Imbalances in Sport
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Anti-Racism and Inclusion
Gender Based and Sexual Violence Prevention Working Group to create implementation plan and accountability framework for Athletics including a plan for implementing relevant recommendations by the Sexual Violence Policy External Review Committee.
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GBV/SV Prevention
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GBV/SV Response
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GBV/SV Policy supports.
Timeline
The Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee aims to complete the action plan (priority setting) by July 2024, and the implementation and accountability framework by January 2025.
Reporting
The Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee shall provide regular progress reports to the university community. These reports will include updates on research findings, stakeholder consultations, policy development, actions taken, and any challenges or recommendations encountered during the process.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
Committee members shall adhere to strict confidentiality requirements regarding any sensitive information and personal data obtained during their work. The committee shall operate in such a manner to protect privacy and comply with applicable data protection laws.
Ethical Considerations
The Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee shall operate in an ethical manner, respecting human rights, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring transparency and accountability in their decision-making process.
Dissemination and Communication
The Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee shall develop a communication strategy to engage with the broader student athletic and university communities ensuring transparency and accessibility of information.
These terms of reference will serve as a framework to guide the Athletics Equity and Safety Advisory Committee's activities and ensure a systematic and inclusive approach to achieve the vision that will support our core values of equity, safety, and inclusion. This work will lead to continuous improvement in policy and practice within the institution that will advance StFX as leaders in athletics in higher education in Canada.
