Approved May 12, 2017
Re-approved May 11, 2018, December 6, 2019, March 5, 2021, May 13, 2022, May 12, 2023
Diversity benefits governance
Strong oversight and governance result from having Board members with the necessary mix of skills and the contribution and inclusion of multiple perspectives when making decisions that affect the University at its most senior levels. Board diversity is crucial to ensure that the Board, as a whole, effectively governs the University. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees of Queen’s University strives to achieve a broad membership that provides a collective set of perspectives, ensuring sound decision-making and the fulfillment of its governance duties.
Skills remain the most important consideration for appointment to the Board. Within its processes for identifying potential members, the Board’s Governance and Nominating Committee actively seeks out and promotes potential candidates who reflect the diversity of Canadian society, with particular attention toward including individuals from designated groups *.
Bodies and constituencies within Queen’s University whose responsibilities include the election of individuals to the Board under the Queen’s Charter are asked to examine their nominations and electoral processes, and strive to remove barriers to the election of candidates from designated groups who would bring greater diversity to the Board, with due attention to the requisite skills and preparedness for serving effectively on the Board of Trustees.
The Board’s own actions
The Board itself provides its members with regular opportunities to increase their individual and collective understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and Indigeneity. The Board also periodically examines its policies, structures, and practices through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and Indigeneity. These actions enhance the Board’s ability to fulfill its own diversity, equity, inclusion, and Indigeneity commitments, and to oversee the implementation of Queen’s objective to create an inclusive community in which all students, faculty, and staff can contribute and succeed.
Board of Trustees Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Indigenization Action Plan
*At Queen’s University, the term “designated groups” represents persons who identify as women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as LGBTQ+, and persons who identify as Indigenous.