Brock University’s President’s Advisory Committee for Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization (PACHRED) is accepting nominations for new student, staff, faculty and librarian general members as well as a new student co-chair.

Formed in 2018, PACHRED is tasked with advising Brock’s President on the recommendations of the Human Rights Task Force’s final report and issues relating to human rights, equity and decolonization.

PACHRED also hosts events related to its mandate and works on policy and related concerns associated with human rights, equity and decolonization.

The committee also unifies the activities of six affiliated working groups: 2S&LGBTQ+; Anti-Ableism and Mental Health; Anti-Racism; Decolonization; Employment Equity; and Sexual Violence Prevention.

Among PACHRED’s accomplishments since its inception is the creation of the Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) role, the implementation of a gender-affirmation fund, which is administered through Brock Human Rights and Equity, work to support Indigenous and Black faculty and library hires and events to raises awareness of EDI on campus.

PACHRED’s 2024-25 co-chairs are Andrew Bassingthwaighte, Manager, Goodman Career, Co-op Career and Experiential Education, who represents staff; and Margot Francis, Associate Professor at the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies, cross-appointed to the Department of Sociology, who represents faculty and librarians.

Rabia Choudhary, a Master of Social Justice and Equity Studies student and Brock’s Student Justice Education Co-ordinator, who represents students on the committee, will conclude her one-year term as co-chair in June.

Student members of PACHRED gain valuable leadership development experience and practical skills in strategic and event planning, meeting organization and communicating through a wide variety of channels across Brock’s diverse campus community. At the same time, they bring their unique lens and the student voice into important conversations with Brock’s senior administration and decision-makers.

Brock University students, faculty, librarians and staff who are interested in having their voices heard on a variety of critical issues and collectively making a difference across campus are encouraged to apply.

Nominations for general membership and the student co-chair will be accepted until Sunday, May 12 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants may apply to a one-, two- or three-year term. All members of PACHRED are expected to participate in one of the working groups. The application form can be found on the Office of the President website. For more information, visit the PACHRED and The Brock News websites or email PACHRED@brocku.ca