ASUS BIPOC Report

A Call To Action

A Report on the BIPOC Experience in the Faculty of Arts and Science

Queen’s has a long history of discrimination, and this history is apparent in our reputation today. The continuing impact of this reputation on the BIPOC student experience is substantial. While some high school students are told about Queen’s vibrant party life, beautiful campus or school spirit, this experience is very different for others. Before even coming to Queens, most prospective students of colour have been warned of Queens’ notorious lack of diversity and problematic culture. This is a barrier for prospective students and helps make Queen’s lack of diversity a self-fulfilling prophecy.

We identify several problems that were also highlighted in the 2017 PICRDI report, including lack of accountability, lack of prioritization, the geographical region of Kingston and the reluctance of many members of under-represented groups to come to Queen’s. While much progress has been made in diversifying curriculums, recruiting more BIPOC students and staff and adding many new equity resources, these initiatives cannot be effective when the surrounding institutional structures remain flawed. This report aims to spur progress on those institutional structures, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and Science and wider University Community.

This report is authored by the 2021 ASUS Director of Student Affairs Research, Samara Lijiam.