Our process
In 2020, HEC Montréal adopted a policy on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and an action plan aligned with it. As part of this process, students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to take part in a consultation.
At HEC Montréal, our values lead us to foster a respectful and open environment where different people can live, work and study. That’s why one of the strategic objectives of our Strategic Plan is to create conditions that further promote equity, diversity and inclusion.
“HEC Montréal has a proud tradition of openness and inclusion. Our diversity of ideas, experiences and ways of thinking and seeing the world creates an abundance of intellectual and creative thought upon which we draw to stay forward thinking and demonstrate leadership. I encourage you to embody this culture every day.”
Before 2020: EDI in research and the Dimensions charter
In 2017, HEC Montréal developed an Action Plan to Promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research entitled “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Keys to Excellence in Research.” The plan addressed the under-representation of the four designated groups—women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities—when allocating its Canada Research Chairs.
When we decided to adhere to the Dimensions charter in 2019, HEC Montréal joined many other Canadian institutes of higher education in committing to providing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for our community. The charter’s eight principles aim to foster increased research excellence, innovation and creativity within the post-secondary sector.
Policy adoption calendar
HEC Montréal’s goals were to adopt the following:
- Policy on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
- Action plan (French only) aligned with this policy
- Annual report on the work that has been accomplished
We launched a consultation process and were able to adopt our new policy in fall 2020.
| September 2019 | The equity, diversity and inclusion action plan (French only) was adopted |
| November 2019 – January 2020 | The first version of our policy on equity, diversity and inclusion was drafted |
| March 2020 | A consultation was held to develop a common vision and ensure that the policy met the needs of all community members |
| May 2020 | A voluntary survey was conducted to take stock of the diversity among our faculty and staff |
| Winter 2020 | The policy was revised based on feedback from the consultation |
| September 2020 |
Discussion groups were held on two aspects of the policy’s application:
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| September-October 2020 | The policy was adopted by our Executive Committee, Academic Council and Board of Directors |
Striving for a more inclusive culture
HEC Montréal was originally created in 1907 to offer French-speaking students the option to study management in their own language and country. Since that time, the School has grown and transformed continuously.
Today’s student body is thriving and very conscious of the rest of the world. Nearly a third of our students hail from outside of Quebec, and all can benefit from the range of backgrounds found among our faculty and staff. Year over year, we measure how this diversity contributes to the excellence of our community.
“These types of changes require us to update our practices. Our community members must be welcomed, integrated and treated equitably. We will weave the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into all of our policies, practices and processes.”
"As an immigrated person, I am proud to represent a student body with a rich linguistic and cultural identity. We can build a more inclusive campus. I have committed to ensuring more women have access to the MBA program."
Governance and main roles
Executive Committee
- Approves the action plan
- Promotes the vision of equity, diversity and inclusion across all School activities
- Monitors the yearly progress of action plan implementation
EDI Permanent Committee
- Ensures engagement in all units
- Sets priorities
- Approves the annual report
Members
- Caroline Aubé, Director, Research Knowledge and Transfer Office
- François Bellavance, Director, Academic Programs Office
- Celia Chui, Assistant Professor, Department of Management
- Jean Elsliger, Director, Student Services
- Isabelle Faucher, Director, Human Resources Office
- Marc-Antonin Hennebert, Director, Faculty Affairs
- Baddredine Maamar, Director – Major and Planned Gifts, HEC Montréal Foundation
- Johanne Turbide, Secretary General
EDI Work Group
- Formulates the Policy on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
- Implements the action plan
Student survey: a concrete action in support of EDI
Further to its adoption of the Policy on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), HEC Montréal launched its first voluntary and confidential survey on diversity within the student body. In March 2021, students were asked to complete a short survey intended to provide the School with sound data it would use to create conditions that consistently promote greater equity, diversity and inclusion on campus. The survey results will be presented in Fall 2021.