Community Consultation: Human Rights Policy (GP 18) Review
This following message is sent on behalf of Margarita Fullerton, University Secretary.
Dear University Community,
Policy GP 18, the “Human Rights Policy,” is under the authority of the University Secretary and establishes the Human Rights Office to provide education, advice, and resources to members of the university community, with the goal of reducing and preventing discrimination based on personal characteristics and in alignment with the provincial . The University Secretary will remain the policy authority for GP 18.
New amendments to GP 18 reflect feedback from key partners at the University and would include formally documenting operational updates made since 2022 to align the policy with current practices, addressing outdated references, and ensuring consistency with the recently updated Sexualized Violence Policy (GP 44). These changes aim to improve clarity and create a coherent framework for understanding and navigating the policy within the university community. The key changes include:
- Allowing for the intake of a GP18 complaint once an individual is no longer a member of the University Community for up to one year, in line with the BC Human Rights Code and GP44.
- Formalizing procedural fairness requirements in the policy.
- Updating section 7.1 to state that the Human Rights Office Director will present the Annual Report to the Board of the Directors (previously this section stated that the Annual Report was presented by the President of the Human Rights Policy Board, which has not been the practice).
- Aligning procedures with the Bullying and Harassment Policy (GP 47) and Sexualized Violence Policy (GP 44), including the introduction of the Conflict Resolution and Investigation Specialist (CRIS) for informal resolutions.
- Adding a new clause clarifying that the University reserves the right to initiate investigations without a formal complaint if community safety concerns arise.
- Updating definition of “University Community” to include “or agreement”:
3.16 University Community means all students and employees of the University and all people who have a status at the University mandated by legislation or other University policies, or agreement including research assistants, post-doctoral fellows, members of Senate and the Board of Governors, volunteers, visiting and emeritus faculty, and visiting researchers.
GP18 Policy included here (PDF)
GP18 Procedures included here (in PDF)
GP18 Appendix A - Definitions included here (PDF)
GP18 Appendix B - Human Rights Policy Board included here (PDF)
GP18 Appendix C - Guidelines for External Investigators included here (PDF)
We invite you to review the amendments to GP 18. Please send your feedback humanrights_office@sfu.ca by May 15, 2025.
Information Sessions: GP 18 & GP 47 Policy Review
The Human Rights Office is hosting two information sessions with Q&A on GP 18 and GP 47 policy review. These sessions will be held in a hybrid format, with the option to attend in person or join online via Zoom. Each session will begin with a brief overview and followed by time for attendees to ask questions.
Session Dates:
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 3 PM – 4 PM
Location: WMC 3510
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Thursday, May 1, 2025 | 12 PM – 1 PM
Location: WMC 3510
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We appreciate your involvement as we work together to support a safe, respectful, and inclusive community at SFU.
Input provided is collected under the authority of the , , and SFU Policy on University Policies and Procedures (B 10.00). This information is collected for the purpose of engaging in community consultation, which may result in recommended changes to a policy. If you have any queries about the collection of this information, please contact privacy@sfu.ca