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Priority One: Inclusive Excellence

Inaugural Black Student Graduation

The inaugural Black Student Graduation was a rich celebration of Black excellence and community for the convocation class of 2022, delivered by the Black Student Success Centre in partnership with the Office of the Registrar, the African Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster, the Equity and Inclusion Office, Athletics & Recreation, SSC: International Student Experience, McMaster’s Alumni Association and the Black Student Association.

Black Student Wellness Counselling

The Black Student Success Centre received STEER/R funding to hire a Black student wellness counsellor. The counsellor will provide one-on-one mental health support and group-based wellness activities and education.

Spiritual Care and Learning Centre (SCLC)

The Spiritual Care and Learning Centre (SCLC) officially opened in Fall 2022, offering pluralistic spiritual care in formal and informal ways. Formally, students can attend programming or schedule opportunities with scholarly spiritual leaders across Religious, Secular and Spiritual Identities (RSSI); informally, they can interact with the space and the community in it.

Hamilton Sports Consortium 

In the 2022–2023 academic year, Athletics & Recreation, Mohawk College and Redeemer University began the planning phase to start a Hamilton Sports Consortium that advances equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in sport. As part of this initiative, the partners will host an anti-racism in sport symposium and training programs, inviting Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) and Ontario University Athletics (OUA) peers to join. 

Accessibility in Residence 

Housing & Conference Services (HCS) improved building accessibility for students and staff who require mobility assistance. Aligning with the campus accessibility strategy, HCS conducted audits to work towards full compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Results include acquiring a Heritage Permit for Wallingford Hall to complete landscaping improvements and install an accessible ramp to the Cootes Paradise Walkway. 

Indigenous Student Graduation  

Indigenous Student Services hosted its first in-person Indigenous Student Graduation since COVID-19, bringing together graduates, families, friends and many generations, including Elders in Residence Renee Thomas-Hill and Kathy Knott. 

Access Program 

The Student Success Centre’s Access Program worked to address barriers for equity-deserving students through the following initiatives: 

  • Access dinner during Welcome Week 
  • Pilot Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) fee waiver for equity-deserving students 
  • Dedicated recruitment and outreach support for equity-deserving high school students in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, in partnership with the Recruitment Office 
  • Expanded capacity for Access Awards to offer up to 20 Awards for 2023–2024 (up from 15 last year)  
  • Inclusive employment opportunities and support in collaboration with Career Access Professional Services (CAPS)  

Community Approaches to Student Well-being  

The Student Wellness Centre collaborated across the McMaster community to foster student well-being and belonging through the following initiatives: 

  • Participation as a pick-up location for I’m Ready: HIV Self-Testing Program, a national program that is implementing, scaling up and evaluating low-barrier options for access to HIV self-testing. 
  • Introduction of Home Cooked at Mac, a program funded by the McMaster Okanagan Committee. Home Cooked at Mac featured four cooking instructional videos from a member of the McMaster community that highlighted a dish from their culture, with 20–30 meal kits for pick-up per video. 
  • Activations through Black History Month, including Door Decorating (hosted with Black X Scape), Black Excellence Fatigue: A Conversation with Dr. Andrews, and Pioneers of Black Mental Health. 
  • Hosting a cooking class to celebrate Iftar. Muslim students of all cooking levels gathered to celebrate, practice cooking skills, meet new people, discuss mental health and navigate support while fasting in the McMaster University context.