Diversity Action Group

Our role

The Diversity Action Group raises awareness, informs and educates the university community on the experience of people from diverse backgrounds. We do this by highlighting issues and creating opportunities for exploration and action initiatives to redress equity, diversity and inclusion barriers.

The DAG also conducts community consultation on the Diversity Statement every three years and makes recommendations for changes as needed.

Read our terms of reference.

Leadership

The Diversity Action Group hosts a rotating Chair or Co-Chair position.  Administrative coordination of the group is managed through a collaborative approach of shared leadership by a core group of volunteers.

The DAG is recognized and supported by the Royal Roads executive team and reports to the president through the vice-president, academic and provost.

Current co-chairs:

• Donna DesBiens, learning designer with the Centre for Teaching and Educational Technologies
• Kyla McLeod, director of Student Services

Past co-chairs:

• Frédéric Fovet, program head for the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
• Asma-na-hi Antoine, associate director of Indigenous engagement
• Dranna Andrews-Brown, manager of Student Engagement

Get involved

The DAG is open to all members of the university community. We normally have monthly meetings.

You can choose your level of commitment as a volunteer. Attend meetings and events, coordinate initiatives or just read our emails. There is no minimum or maximum level of participation.

Email the Diversity Action Group to join the working group or share your ideas to increase diversity and inclusion at Royal Roads. When you sign up you can indicate if you want to attend meetings.

Events and initiatives

The Diversity Action Group (DAG) organizes a wide range of educational and social activities each year to foster inclusion, awareness, and community on campus.

Promoting Awareness and Understanding

Past events have included observances such as:

• Holocaust Memorial Day
• Black History Month
• Women's History Month
• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
• Orange Shirt Day
• National Coming Out Day
• World Mental Health Day
• Disability Awareness Day
• International Day of Peace
• National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

These events aim to deepen understanding of historical and contemporary issues related to equity, human rights, and social justice.

Celebrating Diversity and Building Community

DAG also hosts and supports cultural and celebratory events that bring people together, such as:

• Holi
• Nowruz
• Easter
• Ramadan
• Pride Week
• El Día de Muertos

These celebrations foster community connections and highlight the richness of diverse cultural traditions.

DAG frequently partners with other campus units and student groups to plan events, and the calendar evolves each year to reflect new ideas and voices. 

To see upcoming DAG events, please visit the RRU Events Calendar. 

Ongoing work

Members of DAG can be called on to contribute to class discussions, research initiatives, and different campus consultations.  We also actively offer:

• support for National Indigenous Peoples Day
• support for RRU Proud, Positive Space Network courses, and Pride at Work
• support for Human Resources Census and other initiatives
• collaboration with the Office of Human Rights and Accessibility's President's Steering Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, RRU's Accessibility Plan and Anti-Racism Task Force

Resources

Related policies and guiding documents

• RRU Employee Standard of Conduct policy
• RRU Harassment and Discrimination Policy
• RRU Policy on Student Rights and Responsibilities
• RRU Statements of principle

Greater Victoria

• Greater Victoria Housing Society
• The Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria
• Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society
• Coastal Research, Education and Advocacy Network
• Victoria Pride Society

National and provincial

• BC Human Rights Code
• BC Human Rights Tribunal
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• The Canadian Human Rights Commission
• Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network