Feb. 18, 2021

“Counting yourself in” is critical to Laurier better understanding our student community, including its diversity. As a part of Laurier’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), all students are invited to complete the confidential and voluntary Student Self-Identification (ID) Form. Understanding the demographics of our students is important to continuing to create a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive Laurier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can complete the Student Self-ID Form?

All undergraduate and graduate students currently registered at Wilfrid Laurier University on a part-time or full-time basis are eligible to participate.

Why should I complete the form?

The primary goal of Laurier’s Student Self-ID Form is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of our student community. Understanding the dynamic composition of the student community enables us to better identify inequitable barriers, take evidence-informed action and improve the student experience.

Is it mandatory to complete the form?

No, your participation is voluntary. We encourage all students to complete the form as more responses allow us to better understand the student community and pursue evidence-informed actions. Notably, when completing the form, you can skip a question or withdraw at any time without penalty.

How do I access the Student Self-ID Form and how long will it take to complete it?

Students can log in to LORIS and complete the form under “Personal Information” at any time. The form takes approximately five minutes to complete.

Why does the Student Self-ID Form focus on specific characteristics or demographics?

The form gathers information on a range of demographic and identity-related information including caregiving status, disability, gender identity, language, race, religion, sex, and sexual identity. Understanding these characteristics is integral to developing a more comprehensive understanding of Laurier’s student community alongside, identifying and addressing inequities.

Why does the Student Self-ID Form use the terminology it does?

You may not regularly use the labels or groups used in the form to identify yourself. Much of the terminology aligns with the language used in the Ontario Human Rights Code or Statistics Canada. Using these terms and definitions enables us to more accurately compare our data to regional, provincial and national information.

We also recognize that identities and the language surrounding them are personal, complex, and evolving. Therefore, for relevant questions, there is an option for you to list how you want to identify, beyond the list of options provided. There is also a voluntary open-text section at the end of the form to describe in your own words how you identify.

How will this information be used?

The information generated from the Student Self-ID Form will assist Laurier in better understanding who is here and who isn’t and how and how different groups of student’s access and utilize services and programs at the university. Due to the multi-dimensional nature of the information provided by students in the form, we can better understand the experiences of different students – particularly those who are historically and currently underrepresented in post-secondary education.

For example, information garnered through the Student Self-ID Form can be used to:

• Improve learning opportunities, conditions, and environments.
• Examine student support programs and services.
• Strengthen students’ sense of safety, trust, privacy, and belonging.
• Improve student outreach, recruitment, and retention.
• Advance student engagement on EDI initiatives and campus-wide programs.
• Increase availability of appropriate training and resources.
• Inform commitments on representative University leadership and staff.

Actions can and are being pursued at a program, department, faculty, or office-level and/or through EDI-related commitments such as the Action Plan for EDI and Indigeneity, Strategic Plan for EDI, Canada Research Chairs Program EDI Action Plan, and the Accessibility Plan.

Will my information be kept confidential and how will it be stored?

Any information you provide to Laurier through the form will be kept strictly confidential. Before public reporting, all data is stripped of identifying information and grouped to protect your privacy. For example, information is summarized into broad categories (e.g. academic programs) to protect the privacy of students.

Data is stored on secure university servers. Data from the form may be transferred and stored in our institutional data warehouse. Access to these data will be limited to those who require access to support institutional reporting. The University’s Privacy Office has been consulted to ensure your personal information is collected, used, and stored following University Policy 10.1 and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of Ontario. This activity has also been approved by the Office of Research Services (File #2020 – 51) per University Policy 8.2.

Who has access to my information?

Data is handled by staff in the Office of the Associate Vice President: EDI, Laurier’s EDI Self-Assessment Team, and/or select qualified individuals required for these projects and as approved by these teams. Unapproved individuals including Laurier staff (e.g. professors, teaching assistants, academic advisors) will not have access to your data.

Who created the Student Self-ID Form?

The Count Me In! Student Self-ID Form initiative is led by the Office of the Associate Vice President: EDI and EDI Self-Assessment Team in collaboration with a range of departments and offices at Laurier. Additionally, in November 2020 students were invited to participate in focus group discussions on the design and launch of the Form. All students that expressed interest were included as focus group participants.

May I update or change information about myself?

Yes, you can update or change your responses at any time. There is no deadline to complete the form – information is collected and updated on an ongoing basis.

If I have questions or comments, who do I contact?

We’re always here to help. Should you require any assistance, please contact the Office of the Associate Vice President EDI at avpedi@wlu.ca.