Seneca’s Board of Governors awarded for diversity

Inaugural Diversity in Governance award recognizes Seneca’s commitment to community

Toronto, May 3, 2007 --- Seneca College’s Board of Governors is the first post-secondary institution in the GTA to receive the Maytree Foundation’s Diversity in Governance Award.

The Diversity in Governance award is given to organizations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that have created a board of governors that reflects the diversity of the community it serves and demonstrates governance innovations that commit to diversity with tangible results. This is the first time the Maytree Foundation has presented the award.

“We are very proud that Seneca’s Board of Governors’ commitment to diversity is being recognized,” says Dr. Rick Miner, President of Seneca College. “It is a great achievement for the Board and reinforces its successful efforts at reflecting and serving Seneca’s students, faculty, staff and community.”

Seneca’s Board of Governors is comprised of 20 volunteer members from the GTA who are responsible for the College’s vision, direction, management, financial health, and goals. Board members typically serve three-year terms and all appointments to the board are evaluated to ensure community representation.

“For many years Seneca’s Board of Governors has embraced the mission of being a fully inclusive board,” says Jean Ann McLeod, Chair of Seneca’s Board of Governors. “The Board reflects current GTA demographics. We are proud of the fact that our Board leads by example and currently half of its members represent diverse groups.”

Some recent accomplishments that demonstrate Seneca’s Board of Governor’s commitment to diversity are:

• Including a commitment to diversity and equity within the College’s strategic plan

• Approving diversity and equity-related policies such as policies on discrimination and harassment, HIV/AIDS, accessibility, and religious observances

• Endorsing a human resources plan that outlines a recruiting strategy that reflects the changing demographics of the GTA

The Maytree Foundation is a private Canadian charitable foundation established in 1982, committed to reducing poverty and inequality in Canada and to building strong civic communities. The Foundation seeks to accomplish its objectives by identifying, supporting and funding ideas, leaders and leading organizations that have the capacity to make change and advance the common good.

More students choose Seneca than any other college in Canada. Seneca provides internationally and nationally recognized career education and training key to graduate success in the global economy. Every Seneca diploma, certificate and degree program is developed to a high academic standard, in consultation with industry, integrated with information technology, combined with technical and transferable skills, and reinforced by opportunities for ongoing education and re-training.

For more information, please contact:
Seneca College Media Relations
416-491-5050 ext. 2354