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Consent is part of a safer campus community.

Equity Awareness  

November— have your say all month!

What helps you participate, feel included and succeed at university—and what gets in the way?

Equity Awareness invites you to explore how access, support and everyday experiences shape campus life. Throughout November, we’re asking you to share you perspective.

Complete our short, three-question survey and enter for a chance to win a Let’s Talk Equity prize pack valued at over $75. The survey is open all month.

Follow @ot_campuslife throughout the week for equity information and opportunities to join the conversation.

About Equity Awareness Week

Explore how everyday barriers shape students’ campus experiences and what can help make university life more accessible and inclusive.


Learn more - About Equity Awareness Week

About Equity Awareness Week

Equity Awareness Week is part of Ontario Tech’s Let’s Talk Equity initiative. It creates space to explore barriers students may face and how we can support more equitable participation in university life.

Equity means recognizing that students have different circumstances and may need different supports and changes to have fair opportunities to participate and succeed.

What can equity look like in everyday campus life?

Health and well-being
Access to healthcare, mental health support and flexibility can help students manage their wellbeing alongside their studies.

Housing and food
Having enough to eat and a stable place to live matters for learning. Food programs, financial assistance and housing supports can help address barriers.

Technology and learning access
Reliable internet, access to devices and accessible course materials help students participate. Captioned videos, for example, can support students who are Deaf or hard of hearing and many other learners.

Families and caregiving responsibilities
Students may be raising children or caring for family members while studying. Accessible childcare and flexibility can help them balance these responsibilities.

Belonging and inclusion
Accessible spaces, respect for religious and spiritual practices, and inclusive learning environments can help students participate and feel welcome.

Throughout the week, consider: What helps you participate? What barriers do you notice? What could make a difference?

Share your perspective

What helps you feel included—and what gets in the way? Share your experience for a chance to win a Let’s Talk Equity prize pack valued at over $75.


Have your say - Share your perspective

Let’s Talk Equity: What shapes your campus experience?

Your everyday experiences matter. Whether it’s something that helps you participate or a barrier that makes university life harder, we want to hear about it.

Complete our short, three-question anonymous survey to share your perspective on equity at Ontario Tech.

Plus, enter for a chance to win a Let’s Talk Equity prize pack valued at over $75!

Help us better understand what supports students’ participation, inclusion and success.

Take the survey

Get support

Find support for discrimination, accessibility barriers, financial concerns, health and wellbeing.


Find support and resources - Get support

Support is available

Barriers to participation can take many forms, including discrimination, accessibility challenges, financial pressures and health concerns. These campus services can help you explore support and understand your options.

Campus resources:


If you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs emergency assistance, call 911. For campus safety information and security contacts, visit Campus Security.

Explore more awareness and education initiatives

Learn about other campaigns, workshops and events offered throughout the year.

Pride and 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion

Learn about Pride, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and opportunities to help create a more inclusive campus.

Learn more - Pride and 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion

Pride recognizes the identities, experiences, contributions and resilience of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. It is both a celebration and an opportunity to learn about the ongoing work needed to advance equity, inclusion and belonging.

Pride movements have deep roots in community organizing and resistance to discrimination. In Canada, events such as Toronto’s 1981 Bathhouse Raids mobilized 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and contributed to the growth of organized Pride demonstrations and celebrations.

While Pride Month is recognized each June, learning, allyship and community-building continue throughout the year. Ontario Tech is committed to fostering a campus where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions feel respected, supported and able to participate fully in university life.

Get involved

You can help create a more inclusive campus by:

  • participating in Pride events and educational opportunities;
  • learning about 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, histories and experiences;
  • using inclusive language and respecting people’s names and pronouns;
  • challenging stereotypes, discrimination and harmful behaviour;
  • showing support for 2SLGBTQIA+ peers and colleagues; and
  • connecting with campus and community resources.

Pride activities and learning opportunities may be offered throughout the year. Visit the Equity Events page or follow Student Engagement and Equity for current opportunities.

Learn more and find support

Explore Ontario Tech and community resources related to:

  • 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and education;
  • pronouns and inclusive language;
  • discrimination and harassment support;
  • campus and community supports; and
  • upcoming equity events.

#WeGetConsent

Consent is part of a safer campus community. Learn about consent, supporting others and where to find help.


Learn more - #WeGetConsent

#WeGetConsent: Consent matters year-round

Everyone has a role in building a campus community where boundaries are respected and people feel safe asking questions, communicating their needs and seeking support.

Understanding consent

Consent is a voluntary, ongoing agreement to take part in sexual activity. It must be freely given, without pressure or coercion, and can be withdrawn at any time.

  • Ask and check in—don’t assume.
  • Consent to one activity does not mean consent to another.
  • A past “yes” does not mean consent now.
  • Silence or a lack of resistance does not mean consent.
  • Someone who is asleep, unconscious or too impaired to make an informed choice cannot consent.

If someone shares an experience with you

Listen without judgment, let them know it is not their fault and ask what support they would find helpful. Respect their choices and avoid pressuring them to share details or make a report.

Support and options

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you are not alone. You can seek support whether it happened recently or in the past, and you do not need to make a formal report to ask for help.

Health, wellbeing and student services

Questions about awareness activities or getting involved?
Contact Student Engagement and Equity.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs emergency assistance, call 911. For campus safety information and security contacts, visit Campus Security.

16 Days of Activism

Learn, reflect and take action to help prevent gender-based violence and build a safer, more respectful community.

Learn More - 16 Days of Activism

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

November 25 to December 10

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual global campaign that invites individuals and communities to learn, reflect and take action to end gender-based violence.

The campaign begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on December 10, Human Rights Day. These dates connect gender-based violence with the broader advancement and protection of human rights. Learn about the global campaign

Why it matters

Gender-based violence can affect people of all genders and disproportionately impacts women, girls, 2SLGBTQIA+ people and members of communities facing intersecting forms of discrimination.

Preventing gender-based violence requires more than responding after harm occurs. It also means challenging harmful attitudes, recognizing the effects of power and inequality, supporting survivors and contributing to a culture of consent and respect.

16 Days at Ontario Tech

Each year, Ontario Tech recognizes the campaign by offering opportunities for the campus community to learn about gender-based violence prevention, explore resources and take meaningful action.

Activities may include:

  • educational events and workshops;
  • daily learning and reflection activities;
  • information about consent and healthy relationships;
  • resources for supporting someone who discloses violence;
  • opportunities to demonstrate solidarity with survivors; and
  • information about campus and community supports.

Current activities and ways to participate will be featured on this page during the campaign. Ontario Tech’s existing campaign information also invites community members to take small, daily actions that strengthen a culture of respect. Ontario Tech’s 16 Days information

Take action throughout the year

The work of preventing gender-based violence continues beyond these 16 days. Members of the Ontario Tech community can contribute by:

  • learning about consent and healthy relationships;
  • challenging harmful stereotypes and victim-blaming;
  • intervening safely when witnessing concerning behaviour;
  • responding supportively when someone discloses violence;
  • learning about available support and reporting options; and
  • promoting respect and inclusion in online and in-person spaces.

Support is available

If you or someone you know has experienced gender-based, sexual or domestic violence, confidential support and resources are available. You do not need to make a formal report to ask for help.

  • Find sexual violence support
  • Find domestic violence support
  • Learn how to support someone who discloses
  • Explore consent education and resources