University of Alberta Refreshes DEI Policy, Now Called ACB
The University of Alberta has rebranded its DEI policy to ACB, focusing on access, community, and belonging after extensive consultations.
Edmonton, Canada, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, University of Alberta
Edmonton: The University of Alberta is shaking things up a bit. They’ve decided to rename their diversity, equity, and inclusion policy to “access, community, and belonging.” This change comes after chatting with over 1,000 people from the campus community, including students and staff.
Bill Flanagan, the university president, mentioned that the old DEI language could be polarizing. He emphasized that this change wasn’t about outside pressures but rather a response to what the university community wanted.
While the name has changed, Flanagan assured that the core principles of the policy won’t see a huge shift. They’re still working on gathering more feedback to ensure it meets everyone’s needs.
Interestingly, the University of Alberta might be the first major Canadian school to make this move. Meanwhile, in the U.S., diversity programs have faced backlash, especially after a Supreme Court ruling against race-based affirmative action.
Some companies down south, like McDonald’s and Walmart, have even paused their diversity initiatives. The debate is heated, with some arguing that these programs lead to discrimination, while others believe they’re essential for fairness.
In Alberta, the local government has shown support for the anti-DEI movement, suggesting that schools with DEI policies could lose funding. Flanagan said they started looking into their diversity policy last summer because it was time for a refresh.
They used feedback from the consultations to create a “word cloud,” and the most common themes were access, community, and belonging. Flanagan believes it’s crucial to listen to the university community.
Marcie Hawranik, who runs a consulting firm, noted that rebranding diversity programs is becoming a trend in Canada, likely influenced by the situation in the U.S. She feels the University of Alberta’s rebranding might seem superficial since the new terms aren’t that different from the old ones.
Diversity initiatives have been around since the civil rights movement and have evolved over the years. They gained more traction after the tragic death of George Floyd, which sparked global protests.
Hawranik pointed out that these initiatives are about fairness, anti-harassment, and creating inclusive workplaces. She worries that the university’s rebranding might be a way to appease the provincial government.
Quinn Benders, who represents staff at the university, expressed concern that this could lead to a dilution of accountability. He appreciates the university’s commitment but hopes it doesn’t signal a step back in their efforts for equity and justice.
It’s a bit disheartening that we’re at a point where we need to rebrand efforts around fairness and justice in our workplaces and society.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 8, 2025.
Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press