Advisory Committees
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Mandate
On June 17, 2021 the Accessible British Columbia Act received royal assent. This Act provides a framework to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility. Under the Act post-secondary institutions in British Columbia were required to establish an accessibility plan, public feedback mechanism, and an accessibility committee by September 1, 2023.
College of the Rockies’ Response
In April 2023, with Paul Vogt as the Executive Sponsor, the College’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, a dedicated body of individual College members with lived and learned experience who aim to promote accessibility and equity at College of the Rockies, was formed. Co-chaired by Ariane Tennant, Executive Director Human Resources and Doris Silva, Director of Student Affairs, the committee includes representatives from the College community with at least half being persons with disabilities or are individuals who support persons with disabilities, and at least one Indigenous person. Appointed (College employees) and volunteer (students) members will serve for a two-year renewable term.
The Advisory Committee
With the guidance, expertise, and recommendations from the College community, the committee’s purpose is to:
- identify barriers to access and inclusion and develop strategies to prevent, improve, and eliminate them;
- contribute to the development and ongoing review of the College of the Rockies Accessibility Plan;
- and develop tools to receive feedback on the Plan and on barriers to access at the College. By actively addressing barriers and challenges faced by people with disabilities, the committee strives to create an environment that is equitable and supportive for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Terms of Reference
Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
Current Membership
| Representative | Position |
|---|---|
| Ariane Tennant – Co-Chair | Executive Director HR |
| Cori Andrichuk – Co-Chair | Director, Student Engagement |
| Dana Wesley | Executive Director Indigenous Strategy and Reconciliation |
| Michelle Taylor | Invermere Campus Manager |
| Mary Davies | Human Resources Advisor |
| Jennifer Cooper | Faculty – CYFS |
| Kelly Fyke | Teaching and Learning Specialist |
| Liz Hamilton | Accessibility Services Coordinator/Counselling & Wellness |
| Karin Fraser | Accessibility Services Coordinator |
| Darryl Dux | Communications Coordinator |
| Sue Morin | Senior Library Technician |
| Karla Vishloff | Digital Marketing Coordinator |
| Sadie Bannick | Student Representative – 2023/24 term |
| Hunter Rhodes | Student Representative – 2023/24 term |
| Avneet Gill | Student Representative – 2023/24 term |
Black Experience Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee will engage in on-going dialogue, better understand the experiences of Black students and employees and implement long-term, sustainable practices, processes, policies, systems and cultures that result in excellent experiences for Black students and employees. This includes:
- Consulting with Black students, employees and alumni of the College about their experiences and listen to their recommendations for combatting anti-Black racism and advancing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
- Reviewing the College’s existing practices, processes, policies, systems and culture to determine where there may be issues of systemic anti-Black racism that need to be addressed.
- Exploring opportunities to celebrate Black contributions, voices, identities, cultures, and heritages and assist with organizing and hosting those celebrations.
- Exploring related learning opportunities for the College community and assist with organizing and hosting those learning events.
Terms of Reference will be posted when available.
Indigenous Experience Advisory Committee – Coming Soon!
Asian Experience Advisory Committee – Coming Soon!
2SLGBTQ+ Experience Advisory Committee – Coming Soon!
Women Experience Advisory Committee
As an advisory committee, the experiences of women students and employees will be central to the committee’s work. The Committee has the mandate to:
- Respectfully and safely consult with Women students, employees, and alumni of the College about their experiences and listen to their recommendations for combatting sexism and gender-based inequity, and advancing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
- Review the College’s existing practices, processes, policies, systems, and culture to determine where there may be issues of systemic sexism and gender-based inequity that need to be addressed.
- Identify key performance indicators for the improving the experience of Women Students and Employees and develop a monitoring and evaluation process to ensure continual improvement
- Explore opportunities to celebrate Women’s contributions, voices, identities, and assist with organizing and hosting those celebrations.
- Explore related learning opportunities for the College community and assist with organizing and hosting those learning events.
- Collaborate with other Advisory Committees, other College committees, and other equity-deserving groups to not only address intersectional experiences, but to action intersectional equity work.