Frequently
Asked Questions
‘Equity’ at the University
of Toronto is integral for the rich
diversity of our three campuses and
emphasizes the inclusivity, dignity
and the worth of every individual
and respect for human rights. Equity
at the University of Toronto Scarborough
also ensures that students, faculty
and staff have access to the opportunity
to participate in the full range
of activities that the University
offers, regardless of sex, race,
creed, sexual orientation, aboriginal
status or the ability level.
Within this rather all-encompassing
approach to equity, students, staff
or faculty may have more specific
questions. The following are some
examples to frequently asked questions
(Q) and answers (A).
I am receiving persistent
e-mails, unwanted letters, gifts,
phone calls from someone I do not
want to be in contact with. What
can I do?
These actions
and behaviours may be a form of criminal
harassment (also known as 'stalking').
If you are concerned about your safety,
please contact the Community Safety
Coordinator at 416-978-0385 or visit
www.utoronto.ca/communitysafety [back
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A fellow
staff-member (or student) is making
persistent and unwanted sexual
advances on me. What should I do?
The University
of Toronto policy defines sexual
harassment as any unwanted emphasis
on the sex or sexual orientation
of another person or any unwelcome
pressure for sex. The persistent
and unwanted advances may be a form
of sexual harassment and you may
want to seek advice from the Sexual
Harassment Office (416-978-3908)
or visit
http://www.utoronto.ca/sho/[back
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I have
been sexually assaulted. What should
I do?
If you are sexually
assaulted, seek immediate assistance
from the Sexual Assault and Domestic
Violence Care Centre at Scarborough
Grace Hospital (416-495-2555) or
visit
www.sacc.to at.
You may also want to contact theUniversity
of Toronto Scarborough Health & Wellness
Centre (416-287-7068). If the assault
took place anywhere on UTSC campus,
you may also want to inform the Campus
Police/Emergency at 416-287-7333.
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My instructor
is making comments in the class
that I find sexist and racist.
To whom should I report this?
Express your concerns
to the instructor in a private setting
only if you feel comfortable to do
so. If you do not feel comfortable
in approaching your instructor, or
if you are not satisfied with his/her
explanations, take the matter to
the supervisor of the instructor
(professor of the course if the instructor
is a TA, or the Chair of the Department
if the instructor is a professor).
You can also consult the Sexual Harassment
Office (416-978-3908) or the Anti-Racism
and Cultural Diversity Office (416-978-1259).
You can also seek advice from the
Special Advisor on Equity Issues
at theUniversity of Toronto Scarborough
(416-287-7296), or Special Advisor
on Equity Issues U of T (416-978-3908)
or contact the U of T Ombudsperson
(416-946-3485 or visit
www.utoronto.ca/ombudsperson).
Note:
Please note that the University of
Toronto highly regards academic freedoms
and the freedom of expression is
an integral part of academic freedoms.
Instructors have the right to discuss
controversial matters in their classrooms,
and it is their responsibility to
challenge the students to approach
ideas and theories in new ways. What
instructors are not entitled to is
to over-step their academic freedoms
by making unsupported statements
and offensive generalizations. The
instructor's supervisor has the responsibility
to determine whether the boundary
between the legitimate exercise of
freedom of expression versus the
unprofessional and unacceptable use
of speech has been crossed.
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Although
I have had a few opposite-sex relationships,
I also feel a strong attraction
to some same-sex friends. Where
should I go if I want to talk about
my feelings?
If you need to
discuss issues about your sexual
orientation, you may want to contact
the LGBTQ Office (416-946-5624) or
visit
LGBTQ.resources@sa.utoronto.ca or
visit the LGBTQ site for University
of Toronto Scarborough (
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~lgbtq )
or visit the LGBTQ Lounge (BV 334).
You can also join the Positive Space
Group meetings.
The University of Toronto is committed
to the establishment of policies
and the development of programs,
resources and services that support
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
and queer members of its campus
communities. It has policies prohibiting
discrimination and sexual harassment
on the basis of sexual orientation.
Its Equity offices are committed
to serving LGBTQ students, staff
and faculty as full and welcome
members of the University.
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Does the
University of Toronto Scarborough
have a prayer room where I can
visit between my classes?
The University
of Toronto Scarborough has two multi-faith
prayer rooms that are available to
students, staff and faculty on a
7-day, 24-hour basis. For further
information about the prayer rooms,
please contact the SCSU (Scarborough
Campus Student Union) at 416-287-7047
or visit
www.scsu.ca [back
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I have
a disability which is not immediately
apparent, and I need some assistance
with taking notes and writing exams.
Are there special services that
I can benefit from?
AccessAbility
Services at the University of Toronto
Scarborough provides a range of services
for students who require special
accommodations. Contact AccessAbility
Services at (416-287-7560) or visit
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~ability [back
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I am an
aboriginal student. How do I link-up
with other students who have an
aboriginal background?
The First Nations
House at the University of Toronto
provides many aboriginal student
services and programs. The First
Nations House can be reached at 416-978-0733
(or toll-free at 1-800-810-8069).
The Student Affairs and Services
at the University of Toronto Scarborough
(416-287-7650) may also provide helpful
suggestions.
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I am a
student from a (particular faith)
group and I would like to be placed
in the residences with students
from the same faith. Who makes
these arrangements?
For housing/residence
related questions, please contact
416-287-7367 or visit www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~residences.
In general, housing arrangements
are made to encourage a healthy diversity,
but with sensitivity to the special
needs of students.
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