From: Micah Stickel, Acting Vice-Provost, Students
Date: November 13, 2020
Re: U of T Student Equity Census (PDAD&C #23)

We are excited to announce the upcoming launch of the U of T Student Equity Census – a voluntary demographic data collection initiative for all U of T students.  

The U of T Student Equity Census, which consists of seven questions on gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, Indigeneity, race and ethnicity, and educational attainment of parents/guardians, opens to all students on November 16, 2020. The census will be accessible via ACORN, Quercus, and on the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students website.

This initiative is an important step in our efforts to better understand and support our student community. The data we collect will be used to develop, assess, and maintain programs and initiatives that respond to the needs of our students, and in particular the needs of students that have been historically underrepresented. Through connections with other student-related data, we will be able to more effectively understand and improve the experiences of our students. This data will also help us to strengthen student recruitment efforts, access, and success strategies to address and eliminate barriers within our processes.   

In order to ensure we are using this data to enhance equity, we are establishing an Advisory Roundtable on the U of T Student Equity Census. This group will include students, staff, and faculty and librarians; they will review feedback on the census and provide guidance on how to best report, share and use this data to support meaningful change. A call for nominations for members of the Advisory Roundtable will be issued very soon. 

In addition to the role of the Advisory Roundtable, we invite all members of the U of T community to share feedback on the census questions and process. Questions or comments about the census can be directed to Jessie Metcalfe, Assistant Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students at jessie.metcalfe@utoronto.ca or to vp.students@utoronto.ca.

For more information, please visit the U of T Student Equity Census web page.