樱花影视

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Equity Action Plan

Field school funding

Submitted on behalf of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The 樱花影视 departments of Anthropology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Political Science and Sociology have offered funding to support experiential learning, and community-engagement opportunities for students.

Field schools are a meaningful and impactful experiential learning opportunity for students, which allows them to learn and thrive in a non-classroom environment and naturally engages different worldviews, assessment styles and teamwork/ collaboration. In recognition that cost is often a barrier to students accessing these opportunities four departments within the Faculty of Social Sciences have offered funding to systemically and historically marginalized students.

As a result of the work of each department as well as the Social Science development officer external funding opportunities were secured from a variety of sources in addition to dedicated funding from Social Sciences. Reduced fees were available for almost all the 22 field schools in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years.  

Connection to the EAP

 This activity advances Access and support, Action 2:

Increase access to experiential learning for systemically and historically marginalized groups and strengthen university and student connections with the wider community. Lead: VP Academic & Provost

Impact

Funding is ongoing, but the specific field schools offered can change from year to year. Here are the field schools funding opportunities within the various departments:

  • In 2023 and 2024, the Department of Political Science offered funding for a Thailand field school to students from three underrepresented groups: Indigenous students, students with disabilities, and low-income students.
  • Last year Brian Thom coordinated funding for the Archeology Field School within Anthropology. Full funding (including boots and stipends) was available for six Indigenous students.
  • Environmental Science has used endowment money to offset the cost of field schools for students by up to 75% and have implemented a new process for students who cannot afford to pay the full fee up front including Indigenous students funded by Nations, students who have been in care.
  • In 2022, Geography offered three fully funded spots in the Tofino/Clayoquot Field School for Indigenous students. Their Koeye Field school also offered fully funded positions for Indigenous students. Sociology also provides field school funding to offset the cost of registration, with a larger percentage going to more expensive schools.   

Learnings and reflections

Previously the Dean’s Office used to manage field school support for students in financial need. However, the sensitivity needed to collect information to determine need and eligibility and to make funding determinations proved overly complicated. As Lois Harder, Dean of Social Sciences notes that by providing funding to instructors to administer, “this empowers instructors to use the funds to address equity principles relevant to their course objectives.” This also allows for the tailored support and the adaptability to address barriers experienced by students.