㽶Ƶ

Equity & Diversity FAQ's

Our thanks to Rosalind Hampton, 2012-13 EGSS VP Diversity & Equity, who compiled this list

Issues of equity and diversity on campus

Where can I learn more about and/ or get involved in promoting issues of equity and diversity on campus?

The McGill Equity Team, situated within the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) is headed by Prof. Angela Campbell, Associate Provost (Equity and Academic Policies). In line with the main strategies for equity work at McGill (employment equity, research equity, equity education, and preventing & responding to misconduct), the team provides guidance, education, resources, and training to all areas of the University in order to cultivate a respectful, diverse, and supportive campus.

Website: /equity/about

The SSMU Equity Commissioner can be reached at equity.com [at] ssmu.mcgill.ca The mandate of the Student Equity Committee is to confront historical and current inequities at McGill through active engagement and public education in agreement with the Student Society of 㽶Ƶ’s policy on equality and social justice.

The PGSS Equity Officer can be reached at: equity.pgss [at] mail.mcgill.ca

Harassment and discrimination

Where can I receive help/advice if I have been or am being harassed or discriminated against?

The McGill Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Discrimination Prohibited by Law is available here: /harass/

Harassment reporting forms are available here: /harass/forms

The A-Branch of SACOMSS supports McGill students, staff, and faculty in navigating McGill's Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited by Law, advocating on their behalf to ensure their rights are respected and needs are addressed. More information is available here:

The mandate of the McGill Ombudsperson is “to intervene at the beginning of the complaint process, and to attempt to resolve issues informally before they proceed to more formal processes.” For more information see: /ombudsperson/

The McGill Charter of Student Rights is available here:/secretariat/files/secretariat/charter_of_student_rights_last_approved_october_262017.pdf

The Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms can be viewed here:

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is available here:

Promoting issues of social justice

Where can I learn more about and/ or get involved in promoting issues of social justice on campus and in Montreal?

QPIRG McGill, the Quebec Public Interest Research Group at McGill, is a non-profit, student-run organization that conducts research, education, and action on environmental and social justice issues at 㽶Ƶ and in the Montreal community. With such a broad mandate, QPIRG brings together a wide range of activists interested in many different issues.

QPIRG-McGill is opposed to all forms of discrimination on the basis of class, gender, race, sexual orientation, and dis/ability.
The QPIRG McGill office is located at 3647 University Street.
Telephone: 514. 398. 7432
E-mail: qpirg [at] ssmu.mcgill.ca

For more information visit the QPIRG McGill website at:

Indigenous students

Is there somewhere on campus especially for Indigenous students?

First Peoples' House is dedicated to promoting and supporting the success and well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. Services include Aboriginal Community outreach coordination, accommodation, a mentoring program, a resource center, food program, visits by elders and guest speakers and community celebrations.

First Peoples’ House is located at 3505 Peel Street
Telephone: 514. 398. 3217
E-mail: firstpeopleshouse [at] mcgill.ca
Website: www.mcgill.ca/fph

See also the services and events offered at the Native Friendship Center of Montreal at:

Students with (dis)Abilities

Where can I find information for students with (dis)Abilities?

The McGill Office for Students with Disabilities can be reached at: 514-398-6009. The Office is located in the Redpath Library Building (3459 McTavish Street), Suite RS56|
For more information visit their website at: /osd/
Please note that if your class or seminar is scheduled in a difficult or inaccessible location, you should inform the OSD office and they will arrange for the class to be moved to an accessible room (/osd/accessibility).

Student groups

Are there student groups organized around various causes and identities?

You can find a list of student groups and associations affiliated with SSMU at /index/student/

Dental Students' Society

Ingram School of Nursing student associations
/nursing/students/associations

Medical Students'Society

Physical and Occupational Undergraduate Society

School of Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Student Society (SCSD-GSS)
/scsd/handbook/studentcouncil

Students' Society of 㽶Ƶ

Gender-neutral washrooms

Where can I find gender-neutral washrooms at McGill?

Since 2007 the University has committed to "the existence of at least one gender-neutral washroom in every newly constructed building on campus, and preferably one on every floor of every newly constructed building, where possible."

A list of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus can be found here
/equity_diversity/special-projects/gender-neutral-washrooms

Preferred first name policy

Where can I find information on the policy regarding the use of a preferred first name (other than the legal name)?

/student-records/personal-information-0/address

Finding a job

How can I find a job?

The McGill Career Planning Service (CaPS) assists students in their career development and search for permanent, part-time, and summer jobs, as well as internships, by providing workshops, individual advising, a comprehensive job posting service, and an extensive Career Resource Centre. For more information visit the CaPS website at: /caps/

YES Montreal (Youth Employment Services) is a non-profit organization providing a wide variety of English-language support services to help Quebecers (ages 16-35 yrs.) find employment and start businesses. YES employment support services are also open to artists of all ages. The YES offices are located at 666 Sherbrooke St. W., suite 700
Telephone: 514. 878. 9788
E-mail: info [at] yesmontreal.ca
Website:

Rights of workers

What about the rights of workers? Are McGill employees unionized?

MUNACA-PSAC represents various non-academic workers at McGill such as secretaries, administrative assistants, clerks, and technicians. The MUNACA office is located at 3483 Peel Street.

Telephone: 514. 398. 6565
E-mail: info [at] munaca.com

For more information visit the MUNACA website at

AMUSE (PSAC), the Association of 㽶Ƶ Support Employees, is a labour union that represents ‘casual’ or ‘temporary’ employees at McGill. This includes both students and non-students in part-time and full-time positions. The AMUSE Office is located at 2015 Drummond Street, suite 901.

Telephone: 514. 282. 9555
E-mail: communications.amuse [at] gmail.com

For more information visit the AMUSE website at

AMURE (PSAC), the Association of 㽶Ƶ Research Employees, regroups research associates and research assistants working at McGill. AMURE is in the stages of constructing the union. For more information visit the AMURE website at:

AGSEM (FNEEQ-CSN), the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill, consists of three units, representing Teachings Assistants (Unit 1), Exam Invigilators (Unit 2), and Course Lecturers and Instructors (Unit 3).

The AGSEM Offices are located at 3479 Peel Street on the 3rd floor

Telephone: 514. 398. 2582
E-mail: mail [at] agsem-aeedem.ca

For more information visit the AGSEM website at:https://www.agsem.ca/home

Note: Professors teaching at McGill are not currently represented by a union.

The Quebec Act Respecting Labour Standards applies to ALL employees and is available here:

Rights and responsibilities as a tenant

Where can I learn more about my rights and responsibilities as a tenant?

Here is a good overview about renting in Quebec prepared by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation:

See also the McGill Legal Information Clinic:

Affordable healthy food

Is there somewhere on campus where I can find affordable healthy food and/ or get involved with others concerned about food politics and security?

The Midnight Kitchen is a non-profit, volunteer and worker-run food collective dedicated to providing affordable, healthy food to as many people as possible. Based out of 㽶Ƶ in Montreal, they provide free/by donation vegan lunches 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, at 12:30 in the Shatner Building (3480 McTavish) on McGill campus. For more information visit the MK blog at:

McGill’s Organic Campus is dedicated to bringing local organic fruits and vegetables to the community at affordable prices as well as education on healthy and sustainable food practices. For more information visit their blog at:

Campus Crops is a collective at McGill that works on urban agriculture initiatives throughout the year. Their goal is to grow food on campus and provide students and community members with space and opportunities to learn by doing. For more information visit their blog at:

Sexual assault

Is there somewhere on campus where students can receive support related to experiences of sexual assault?

SACOMSS, the Sexual Assault Centre of the SSMU is a volunteer-run organization committed to supporting survivors of sexual assault and their allies through direct support, advocacy, and outreach. SACOMSS offers crisis intervention, support groups, advocacy and outreach; information and referrals; as well as sexual assault sensitivity training to McGill and Montreal groups. All SACOMSS services are open to the public and free of charge.

Shatner Building (3480 McTavish), B (basement)-27
Telephone: 514. 398. 8500
E-mail: main [at] sacomss.org
Website with full list of contacts:

Back to top