As many within the Humber community are aware, the Orangeville Campus will be closing in June 2021. 

As we move through this final academic year, we want to highlight the achievements of the community of staff, faculty and students who have made the Orangeville Campus the close-knit, supportive environment that it is. 

Beginning this month until May 2021, a series of reflection and celebration focusing on the students, graduates, staff, faculty and the Orangeville community will be featured in Communiqué.

For those who may not be familiar with the origins of the campus, it was the persistence of local resident, Wendy Morley, and former Mayor of the Town of Orangeville, Drew Brown (a Humber alumni) who were the driving forces behind the idea of an expansion into this community.

In 2004, both Ms. Morley and Mayor Brown approached Humber’s then President Dr. Robert Gordon with the idea of a Humber expansion into Orangeville. Many discussions and meetings took place with the eventual approval of such a commitment to Orangeville.

On October 11, 2005, the official announcement was made at an event that was attended by the Humber Executive team; Dufferin-Caledon MP David Tilson; Dufferin-Caledon MPP John Tory (now Toronto’s Mayor) and Drew Brown, along with numerous dignitaries and Humber staff and faculty.

I had the pleasure of being the emcee for the proceedings, which led to the various roles I would hold at the Orangeville Campus.

Following the announcement, Humber first opened a Community Relations and Academic Research office in the downtown core in January 2006, followed by establishing the Alder Recreation Complex as the academic delivery and programming space for the first cohort of students in Fall 2007. The Alder Complex would remain the home of the Orangeville Campus for more than 13 years. During this period, more than 2,000 students would enrol, 10 different full-time programs would be offered and hundreds of faculty would teach and inspire our students.

There is so much to share about this journey and that’s what our monthly reflections will highlight. We’ll be looking back at Humber’s presence in Orangeville, our incredible faculty and staff as well as our outstanding graduates who wear Humber’s badge proudly.

Joe Andrews
Principal, Orangeville Campus

Humber College is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive culture in which all members of the College community study, work and live free from discrimination and harassment. To this end, it is imperative that we understand the definition of key equity terms that will enrich our capacity to prevent all forms of harassment and discrimination. The Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Diversity will be providing information on key terms and concepts pertinent to our work in building a more inclusive College.

Section 16 of the Canadian Human Rights Act and Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code) stipulates that it is not a discriminatory practice to collect information if it is intended to be used in adopting or carrying out a special program, plan or arrangement designed to eliminate discrimination of certain groups of individuals.

What are Special Programs in Hiring?

According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC):

Under the Code, all organizations are prohibited from treating people unfairly because of Code grounds, must remove barriers that cause discrimination, and must stop it when it occurs.

Organizations can also choose to develop “special programs” to help disadvantaged groups improve their situation. The Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Section 15(2)) both recognize the importance of addressing historical disadvantage by protecting special programs to help marginalized groups. The Supreme Court of Canada has also recognized the need to protect “programs” established by legislation that are designed to address the conditions of a disadvantaged group.

The Code allows for programs designed to help people who experience hardship, economic disadvantage, inequality or discrimination. The Code also protects these programs from attack by people who do not experience the same disadvantage. This guide describes the use of special programs, clarifies when they are allowed, and provides practical information on how they could be designed. The Ontario Human Rights Commission encourages the development and use of special programs as effective ways to achieve substantive equality by helping reduce discrimination, or addressing historical prejudice.

Organizations do not need permission from the OHRC to develop a special program. This means that special programs can be put in place without delay.

What the Code says:

Under Section 14 of the Code, it is not discrimination to put in place a program if it is designed to:

• Relieve hardship or economic disadvantage
• Help disadvantaged people or groups to achieve, or try to achieve, equal opportunity or
• Help eliminate discrimination

(Source: Ontario Human Rights Commission, Your guide to special programs and the Human Rights Code)

The Xerox Print Centres are dedicated to ensuring all Humber Faculty, Administrative Staff, Support Staff and all employees are supported during this time. If you have printing needs, we will continue to support you as we are fully open to serve you.

Please email your requirements or questions you may have to humncprint@xerox.com.

North Campus

Dharmesh Patel - Store Manager, Humber Institute of Technology, North Campus

Dharmesh is returning to where he began his Humber career in 2011 as the Computer Department Manager. From there he accepted the position of Operations Manager at Seneca College where he co-managed two campus stores. He was then promoted to Store Manager at the new store at Sheridan College, HMC Campus in the fall of 2018. He has been very active at Sheridan College both in his store and working with the school on initiatives such as Follett Discover.   

Lakeshore Campus

Bijal Patel - Store Manager, Humber Institute of Technology, Lakeshore Campus

Bijal has a great Humber story to tell. She began as a part-time employee in 2003 at Humber College, graduated from Humber (Business Administration) and then enrolled in the Follett Manager in Training program in 2005. After working in various stores in Canada and the U.S., she settled back into Humber and, most recently, has been the Operations Manager and Assistant Store Manager prior to that. Over the past three years she has also covered a maternity leave and two LOA’s as store manager for both Centennial College and Humber. 

Please join us in congratulating Dharmesh and Bijal on their new roles and wishing them continued success at Humber.