Equity Policy

Overview
Founded in 1977, the University of Toronto Kendo Club (UTKC) is the oldest university-based kendo club in North America. As a diverse, student-led university club, UTKC stands firmly for respect amongst members regardless of ethnicity, religion, class, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or ability; and seeks to protect the rights and freedoms of all those who participate. All registered members are expected to uphold the set of standards included in the policy.

According to the United Nations, “The principles of equality and non-discrimination are part of the foundations of the rule of law. As Member States noted in the Declaration of the High-Level Meeting on the Rule of Law, ‘all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to just, fair and equitable laws and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law’… They also dedicated themselves to respect the equal rights of all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.”

The UTKC Equity Policy endeavours to provide a comprehensive and holistic framework from which members and visitors can have the best experience inside and outside of a practice environment, while maintaining respect, safety and responsibility for all those involved. The Equity Policy aims to provide both common-sense behavioural guidelines as well as  fair and equitable mechanisms for dealing with disputes, where they may arise. Our policy defines actions and speech which violate the equity principles above and it outlines UTKC’s response to violations of the rights of members or any non-registered club members.

This policy is intended to foster a culture of respect amongst all UTKC members and visitors, and to protect them from violations to their rights. The goal of this policy is the safety and comfort of all parties involved, and UTKC or the University of Toronto will resolve issues with this goal in mind. In the event that a member's conduct does not meet these standards, the situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

For any questions or concerns, or for any discussion of equity issues, please contact the UTKC Equity Officer directly (utkcequity@gmail.com), open a confidential ticket in the online discord community, or refer to any other UTKC Executive Member.

Definitions

  1. In this document, unless the context indicates otherwise:

    ‘Member’ refers to any person who is a registered member of UTKC,
    ‘Visitor’ refers to any non-registered person attending any UTKC events or practices,
    ‘Sensei’ or ‘Instructor’ refers to any person attending UTKC events or practices in an instructional position,
    ‘Executive Member’ refers to any individual as part of the UTKC Executive Team,
    ‘Protected attribute’ refers to personal characteristics of a member, including but not limited to: ethnicity, race, language, accent, gender
    identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical ability, or socioeconomic status.

  2. Interpretation of this policy is to be provided by the Equity Officer in consultation with the President and other executive members. In general, the standard for behaviour or speech that is likely to be in violation of this Equity Policy would be any conduct directed towards another member or group that is unwelcome by the recipient, and that is reasonably known to be unwelcome.

Temporal and Geographic Application

  1. This policy applies for the entire duration of a UTKC practicing semester, which includes, but is not limited to:
    During practices;

    Time between practices, including breaks;

    During any formal event/social attended by UTKC members, regardless if taking place on University of Toronto property or not; 

  2. The UTKC Equity Policy or any part of this document does not replace obligations to abide by the Ontario Human Rights Council, by-laws of Toronto, law of Ontario and/or Canada, or University of Toronto & Athletic Centre code of conduct and policies.

Direct Discrimination

Direct discrimination is treating another individual or group less favourably, on the basis of a protected attribute, than someone without that attribute in the same circumstances or circumstances not materially different. 

  1. UTKC has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of direct discrimination;

  2. Members are not to engage in any practice of direct discrimination under any circumstances;

  3. In the event of any direct discrimination, suspected or occurred, UTKC encourages members to report to the Equity Officer, or any executive member.

Indirect Discrimination

Indirect discrimination is imposing, or proposing to impose, a requirement, condition or practice that has, or is likely to have, the effect of disadvantaging an individual or group with a particular protected attribute, and which is not reasonable in the circumstances. 

  1. UTKC has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of indirect discrimination;

  2. Members are not to engage in any practice of indirect discrimination under any circumstances;

  3. In the event of any indirect discrimination, suspected or occurred, UTKC encourages members to report to the Equity Officer, or any executive member.

Violations of Consent

A Violation of Consent includes any act or behaviour unintentionally or intentionally ignoring another member’s boundaries. This includes, but is not limited to, publishing media online of an individual without their consent, pressuring another individual or group into doing something they are not comfortable with (like drinking alcohol), or any non-consensual sexual acts or behaviours. A violation of consent may occur in conjunction with other types of violations. 

  1. UTKC has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violations of consent;

  2. Members are not to engage in any practice of violating consent under any circumstances;

  3. In the event of any violations of consent, suspected or occurred, UTKC encourages members to report to the Equity Officer, or any executive member.

Bullying

Bullying is any repeated and/or unreasonable behaviour or speech by an individual or group, directed towards another individual or group, that intimidates, offends, degrades, humiliates, undermines or threatens. This includes, but is not limited to, pressuring another individual or group to do something that they are uncomfortable with. Bullying can be either physical or psychological in nature.

  1. UTKC has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of bullying;

  2. Members are not to engage in any practice of bullying under any circumstances;

  3. In the event of any bullying, suspected or occurred, UTKC encourages members to report to the Equity Officer, or any executive member.

Violence

Violence is the intentional and non-consensual use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, emotional distress, or deprivation. 

  1. UTKC has a zero-tolerance policy towards any forms of violence;

  2. Members are not to engage in any practice of violence under any circumstances;

    1. Including during contact practices, in that a member participating in a contact practice does not justify or allow for violence;

  3. In the event of any violence, suspected or occurred, UTKC encourages members to report to the Equity Officer, or any executive member.

Harassment

Harassment is any unwelcome, offensive, abusive, belittling or threatening behaviour or verbal conduct that humiliates, offends or intimidates an individual or group on the basis of a protected attribute.

  1. UTKC has a zero-tolerance policy towards any forms of harassment;

  2. Members are not to engage in any practice of harassment under any circumstances;

  3. In the event of any harassment, suspected or occurred, UTKC encourages members to report to the Equity Officer, or any executive member.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment includes any one or more of the following unwelcome or non-consensual acts or behaviours, whether directly or by implication, namely: 
Physical contact and advances; or
A demand or request for sexual favours; or
Refusing to use a person’s identified pronouns; or
Making sexually coloured remarks; or
Showing pornography or sexually explicit material; or
Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature, such as any of the following:

Verbal conduct, such as: 
Unsolicited comments on someone’s appearance, age, private life, etc.
Sexual comments, stories and jokes
Sexual advances
Repeated and unwanted social invitations for dates or physical intimacy
Insults based on the sex and/or gender of the individual
Patronising remarks or comments
Sending sexually explicit messages (by phone, email, etc.)
Non-verbal conduct, such as:
Displaying of sexually explicit or suggestive material 
Sexually-suggestive gestures
Whistling, leering, catcalling 

  1. UTKC has a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of sexual harassment;

  2. Members are not to engage in any practice of sexual harassment under any circumstances;

  3. In the event of any sexual harassment, suspected or occurred, UTKC encourages members to report to the Equity Officer, or any executive member.

Code of Conduct

The below code of conduct applies to the behaviour of all members and attendees of University of Toronto Kendo Club practices and events, hereinafter referred to as UTKC, for the entire duration of practices or events, while engaging in any UTKC-related activities, including but not limited to practices, club meetings, club socials, breaks during practices, and tournaments.

  1. Harassment and bullying in any form will not be tolerated, the nature of which includes, but is not limited to, discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, age, mental and physical disabilities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression,

    1. Harassment and bullying include, but are not limited to, insulting and/or degrading language or remarks; threats and intimidation; and intentional (direct or indirect) discrimination and/or marginalisation of a group and/or individual;

      1. The above prohibition on harassment, bullying, and inappropriate behaviour extends to any and all behaviour as well as written and verbal communication during and after practices, including notes, online correspondences, conversation both during and outside committees, and general demeanour at all practices and events;

      2. UTKC reserves the right to determine what constitutes bullying and/or inappropriate behaviour toward any individual and/or group;

    2. Members must not engage in any behaviour that constitutes physical violence or the threat of violence against any groups and/or individuals, including sexual violence and harrassment, such as, but not limited to, 

      1. Unwelcome suggestive or indecent comments about one’s appearance;

      2. Nonconsensual sexual contact and/or behaviour between any individuals and/or groups of individuals;

  2. UTKC expects all members to conduct themselves in a respectful manner at all times during practices and events. Specific expectations, include, but are not limited to,

    1. Members must, if able, contribute to the general provision of an inclusive practice environment and refrain from acting in a manner that restricts other members’ capacity to learn and thrive in an practice or tournament environment;

    2. Members must adhere to the UTKC etiquette guidelines

    3. Members must abide by instructions and/or orders given by sensei or instructors;

      1. Members are exempt from this above sub-clause only if the instructions and/or orders given are unreasonable or inappropriate;

  3. All Members are expected to abide by municipal, provincial, and federal (by-)laws as well as rules and regulations specific to the University of Toronto & Athletic Centre. This includes, but is not limited to,

    1. Members, regardless of their age, are strictly prohibited from being under the influence and/or engaging in the consumption of illicit substances, such as alcohol or illicit substances during practices and kendo-related events; 

    2. Members are prohibited from smoking (cigarettes or e-cigarettes, including vapes) on University of Toronto property;

    3. Members must refrain from engaging in vandalism and the intentional and/or reckless destruction of any public or private property, including practice spaces, venues, furniture, resources, equipment, and university buildings;

      1. Neither UTKC nor any representatives of UTKC is responsible for damage inflicted by members to property on or off University of Toronto campus; 

      2. Individuals will be held responsible for any damages.

  4. The UTKC executive team reserves the right to discipline members for not adhering to/violating any of the above stipulations. Disciplinary measures include, but are not limited to,

    1. Suspension from the club, in its entirety or for a specific period of time;

    2. Removal from a practice and/or event venue(s);

    3. Disqualification from awards;

    4. Disqualification from participation in future kendo or social events.

  5. UTKC reserves the right to the final interpretation of this document.