Our Commitment
Trent University prohibits any form of discrimination and harassment that constitutes a violation of a person’s rights under the terms of its Discrimination and Harassment Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code (“The Code”). Under the Code, every person has the right to freedom from discrimination and harassment based on specified protected grounds. This Policy affirms Trent University’s commitment to compliance with the Code.
Trent University aims to promote awareness of individuals’ rights and responsibilities under this Policy and to eliminate discriminatory barriers. The University is fundamentally committed to the promotion of free inquiry and expression, and strives to provide a working, learning and an on-campus residential environment that is supportive of study, scholarship, teaching and research while ensuring a safe, accessible, inclusive, and respectful space for all individuals. The University acknowledges and promotes individuals’ freedom to express diverse viewpoints. It is important to note that this does not extend to expression that incites racism, hate, discrimination, harassment or violence against any person or group based on any Code-protected characteristic.
As an institution, we aim to address and combat racism and hate, including anti Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia. In accordance with the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 (Bill 166) we have reviewed several of our related policies to reflect and activate this commitment.
Your Rights
At Trent University, you have the right to be safe and to be treated with respect and dignity. You have the right to learn, work, and live in an environment free of discrimination or harassment.
If you have experienced any form of discrimination or harassment, you have the right to report the incident without fear of retaliation or reprisal.
Definitions
Discrimination
Any form of unequal treatment based on one or more prohibited grounds, whether imposing extra burdens or denying benefits. It may be intentional or unintentional. Discrimination may take obvious forms, or it may occur in very subtle ways. Where there are many factors affecting a decision or action, discrimination is one factor; it is a violation of the Code and, therefore, this Policy. It is not discrimination or a contravention of this Policy to plan, advertise, adopt or implement a program that has as its objective the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups identified by the protected grounds.
Constructive Discrimination
Where a requirement, qualification or factor exists that is not discrimination on a prohibited ground but that results in the exclusion, restriction or preference of a group of persons who are identified by a prohibited ground of discrimination except where the requirement, qualification or factor is reasonable and bona fide in the circumstances.
Systemic Discrimination
Where patterns of behaviour, policies or practices which are part of an organization’s structure unintentionally create or perpetuate disadvantages for a group of persons who are identified by a prohibited ground of discrimination.
Harassment
A course of vexatious comment or conduct that is based on protected ground and that is known, or ought to be known, to be unwelcome. A single egregious incident may constitute harassment.
Sexual Harassment
A form of harassment involving comment or conduct of a sexual nature that is known, or ought to be known, to be unwelcome where:
- Submission to such comment/conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, academic status, or academic accreditation; or
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment, or for academic performance, status or accreditation decisions affecting such individual; or
- Such conduct interferes with an individual's work or academic performance; or
- Such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment.
Sexual harassment can include but is not limited to: sexual assault or threats of a sexual nature; unwelcome sexual advances, invitations or requests; demands for sexual favours; innuendos, taunting or degrading words about a person's body, appearance or gender/sexual orientation; leering; sexually derogatory or offensive remarks about an individual; inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life; and displays of degrading or offensive sexual material including sexual jokes.
Examples of Discrimination and Harassment
A classmate constantly misgenders another student after being corrected many times.
A staff member makes a joke about a colleague's disability.
A professor makes dismissive comments about racialized students' ability to pass their class.
A Dons ignores complaints regarding islamophobia graffiti in a common space in residence.