CUDS - Equity Comitee Report


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Equity Comitee Report

Final Report of the 2006-07 Equity Committee
April 5, 2007
Over the 2006-07 academic year, this committee was charged with examining the issue of the
under-representation of women and minority groups in the activities and membership of the
Carleton University Debating Society.

After receiving submissions from the club membership, analysing existing club policies and
practices, and discussing relevant issues amongst the committee, we feel we can summarize
the general consensus of how the club should proceed in this area. Given that we received 5
submissions, in total this report represents the feelings and thoughts of 8 club members, a
sizeable proportion of the total club membership. Notably, there was gender parity among
this contributing group.

Nonetheless, we were disappointed at the low volume of submissions, given the wide range
of accusations which have been levelled at this organization in the past year. No one had any
significant criticisms or complaints about the club, which accounts for the moderate nature of
most of our suggestions.

Indeed, no submission levelled an accusation more serious than general problems of
appealing to under-represented groups, when these groups are already under-represented in
the club, as well as the fact that debating is a specialized activity which lacks universal
appeal. Given that both of these facts are inescapable at this point in time, the following
suggestions are meant to ensure that all Carleton students can participate fully in the club
without fear of discrimination, and thus mitigate these two elements.

After completing this process, the committee feels all the suggestions for reform can be
summarized in two main themes: recruitment and retention activities, and changes relating to
the equity policy specifically. For each area needing improvement, we have compiled a list of
recommendations which the committee has agreed upon by consensus. Although the
committee disagreed with several individual suggestions presented by members, in general
this report encompasses the vast majority of input we received.

Acronym Key
– EDS is the University of Ottawa's English Debating Society
– EO is the Equity Officer
– CUSA is the Carleton University Students' Association
– CUSID is the Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate
– TSC is the Tournament Selection Committee
– VPI is the Vice-President Internal

I. Making CUDS Equity Policies Effective, Comprehensive & Transparent
    A. The Equity Committee
        1. Renew this committee for the 2007-08 academic year, or make it permanent.
        2. Create an email address for the non-president, non-officer member of the committee.
        3. The committee should publish a summary report for the Fall and Winter semesters
            individually, instead of just one annual report.
        4. Require time to be set aside at meetings in both semesters for the club to discuss the
            reports of the committee and the issue of under-representation in general.
        5. In the event that a member of the committee can no longer perform the necessary
            duties, the other two member shall select a replacement.
    B. The Equity Officer & Policy
        1. The constitution should be amended to require an equity policy and an EO.
        2. There should be a call for applications for the EO position in September, and the
            executive should consider all applications before selecting a member. If necessary, the
               executive should ask a specific club member to apply.
       3. Ensure the EO has no significant conflict of interest with any member of the club
            executive.

        4. Empower the EO to pre-emptively moderate the CUSIDnet forum, as well as eject
            people from meetings.
         5. Require the appointment of the EO to be confirmed by the CUSA VPI.
        6. Schedule bimonthly meetings between the EO and the CUSA VPI.
        7. Require the EO to publish a summary report for the Fall and Winter semesters
            individually, instead of just one annual report.
        8. The EO should received external training in discrimination prevention at the beginning
            of the year, from either CUSA or Equity Services.
        9. Ask Equity Services to make a presentation to the club at the beginning of the year, an
            make attendance at this presentation compulsory for members to attend external
            tournaments.
        10. Create a “CUSA Vice-President Internal” account with access to the CUSIDnet forum.
        11. Require all members to access the CUSIDnet forum via accounts which reflect their real
            name.
        12. When disciplinary measures are suggested by the EO, they should be confirmed or
            denied by the club executive in an in camera meeting.
        13. Create an appeal process for EO rulings; we recommend the CUSID National
                Ombudsperson.
        14. When the club is running a public speaking competition, it should be made clear
                beforehand what kinds of humour will and will not be tolerated.
        15. When the club is drafting an equity policy for a tournament it is hosting, it should have
                provisions for pre-emptive action by the tournament officer.

II. Increasing Recruitment & Retention Activities In General, and Towards Underrepresented Groups In Particular
    A. Recruitment
        1. In general, pursue a more aggressive recruitment campaign, including a table in the
            Atrium, class talks, posters, speaking to residence floors, etc.
        2. Ensure that parts of this recruitment is oriented specifically towards under-represented groups. For example, class talks should be given to             traditionally female-heavy disciplines (Journalism, English, Women's Studies), posters should be culturally friendly.
        3. A female member (or potentially a female member of the EDS) should be present
            during all recruitment activities.
        4. Activities with the EDS – like the annual joint training day in the first semester, as well
            as the Panda Tournament in the second semester - should continue, given that it
            broadens both the size and the diversity of attendance.
        5. More on-campus events, like public debates, should be organized, especially those
            hosted in co-ordination with other clubs which would give exposure to potential new
            members.
        6. There should a Winter semester recruitment effort undertaken to advertise the club to
            those students who may have been overwhelmed with the high level of available extracurricular
            activities in the previous semester.
    B. Retention
        1. In conjunction with the EDS, an in-house women's tournament should be organized at
        some point during the year. This form of tournament has been successful on the
        Australian circuit, as well as at the University of British Columbia, in ensuring female
        retention.

        2. The club's non-debate activities, such as post-meeting socializing, off-campus activities,
            etc., should be encouraged and of an open, accessible nature. Officially sanctioned
            events should be publicized through official channels such as the mailing list to ensure
            that participation is not restricted to a core of long-term members. These club events
            ensure that there is a “middle ground” of club participation which is more significant
            than weekly meetings but which does not require the commitment of an entire
            weekend in another city.
        3. The club, as represented by the President, should make clear to the CUSID membership and other tournament hosts its desire for debate                 functions without elements which negatively affect our ability to retain a diverse membership, such as:
                i. alcohol-themed or gendered trophies
                ii. socials which are alcohol-focused and/or not open to under-age participants
                iii. socials which are overtly sexualized
                iv. tournaments organized during religious holidays
                v. inappropriate humour in public speaking and multimedia presentations
                vi. tournaments which lack an equity policy
It is our sincere desire that the membership will seriously consider all we have proposed here,
and that every effort is made to ensure that no one is denied the fantastic opportunity of
debating at Carleton University.

Adam Coombs
President
Committee Chair

Padraic Ryan
Equity Officer
Committee Member

Lisa Powell
Committee Member