Count Us In

Count Us In Logo

About the Initiative 

At the University of Northern British Columbia (ÂÜÀòÉäÇø), we are dedicated to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment, as outlined in the University READY plan. This commitment is reflected through various initiatives aimed at cultivating curiosity and nurturing an inclusive and accessible community that respects and learns from diverse perspectives.

Our foundational goals in READY include supporting fulfilling student learning journeys and attracting and retaining outstanding individuals for our community. We also recognize that some members of our community continue to face disparities. As a university, we are committed to making improvements that foster more inclusive and equitable learning and working environments for everyone.

ÂÜÀòÉäÇø is launching a demographic survey in September 2025. This data will help provide information to meet our regulatory needs and institutional commitments, support equitable and accountable programs and service delivery and measure progress towards our institutional priorities. ÂÜÀòÉäÇø’s data governance and privacy standards will apply to all reports generated from the survey.

The survey design has been advised by a Project Advisory Group. The advisory group includes ÂÜÀòÉäÇø representatives from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Office of Institutional Research and Planning, Privacy and Governance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Student Succes, Strategic Enrolment Management/Future Students, Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT), ÂÜÀòÉäÇø Library, Student unions, CUPE, and Faculty Association. 

For more information about the initiative, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of Equity and Inclusion is responsible for overseeing the data collection, management, and reporting related to the project. It serves as a tool to analyze trends and patterns across the university. 

Demographic data refers to the key characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, race, location, education level, income, disability status, or occupation.

Example 1
Demographic data may show that 10% of the respondents identify as having a disability, with 6% reporting mobility impairments and 4% identifying with sensory disabilities.

Example 2
The class demographic data reveals that 30% of the respondents come from lower-income households, with 45% from middle-income households, and 25% from higher-income backgrounds.

Count Us In is key to helping build a more equitable and inclusive ÂÜÀòÉäÇø. By participating, you contribute to:

  • Gaining accurate data on the diversity of students and employees to improve decision-making, support structures and campus experiences.
  • Identifying barriers and inequities to ensure a fair and equitable campus environment.
  • Identifying trends in campus representation across student and employee populations to inform future equity and inclusion strategies.
  • Fulfilling equity-related reporting requirements (e.g. Pay Transparency Act, Canada Research Chairs, BC Human Rights Commission).

Count Us In aims to provide insight into the composition of ÂÜÀòÉäÇø students, faculty, and staff, allowing us to ensure the appropriate support systems are in place.

By gaining a clearer picture of who makes up the ÂÜÀòÉäÇø community, the institution can better address the diverse needs of its members through targeted programming, policies, and strategic initiatives. Baseline representation data serves as the foundation for planning, implementing, and continuously evaluating equity efforts. ÂÜÀòÉäÇø is uniquely positioned to go beyond just reflecting the local or provincial population; we have the ability to represent a global perspective.

We are hosting conversations to learn more from the ÂÜÀòÉäÇø community. Sessions will be facilitated by external consultants from The Commons & Shift Research Collective.

To learn more and get involved in the conversation, you can:

Your voice is crucial in shaping the future of our community! Join the conversation and make a lasting impact - your participation truly matters!

Note: students who register and attend the engagement sessions will automatically be entered into a draw!

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact
 
The Office of Equity and Inclusion