51社区黑料

Kristen Woo knew that she wanted to be a lawyer in the fifth grade.

鈥淲e had gone on a field trip to the courthouse, and I thought, this seems great! I鈥檒l do that,鈥� she recalls.

Woo went on to fulfill her childhood dream by studying business in her undergrad, then going straight to law school. Before she became the director of 厂贵鲍鈥檚 Human Rights Office, Woo was practicing employment and human rights law (among other areas) at Fasken, one of the largest law firms in Canada.

鈥淚 love being a lawyer,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 very passionate about helping people understand their rights and responsibilities. But I decided to come to 51社区黑料because I wanted to be part of a community.

鈥淏efore, I might advise a client and never get to hear the outcome of my advice,鈥� she explains. 鈥淗ere, I have the opportunity to make a difference鈥擨 know the advice I give has a very real impact on the people around me.鈥�

厂贵鲍鈥檚 exists to provide confidential support and advice to members of the 51社区黑料community on issues related to human rights, including discrimination and harassment based on a protected ground (such as sexual or race-based harassment).

All of that might sound complicated, but ultimately, says Woo, she鈥檚 here to help build a safer campus environment for the whole 51社区黑料community.

鈥淚 think that most people know about the Human Rights Office as a place you can go if you want to make a human rights complaint,鈥� she says.

鈥淎nd that鈥檚 an important function of the office. But it鈥檚 not only that! You can reach out to me if you鈥檙e a manager looking for advice on conflict resolution, if you鈥檙e a faculty member who is concerned about discrimination while hiring, or if you鈥檙e a student wondering about the right to accommodation. I鈥檓 here to support the community around any and all issues related to human rights.鈥�

During her first few months in the role, Woo has prioritized meeting with members of the community, getting to know the 51社区黑料landscape, and looking for ways to connect the office鈥檚 function with community priorities鈥攊ncluding equity, diversity and inclusion.

鈥淚 enjoy talking to people and hearing about their experiences, because it helps me understand what areas the community is interested in and what areas we need more education on,鈥� she says.

She adds, 鈥淭here is an enormous appetite at this university for progress. I鈥檓 especially impressed by how engaged the students are鈥攖hey鈥檙e not afraid to speak up and to advocate for change. The time for change is now, and the Human Rights Office has an important role to play in creating a more fair and equitable campus for everyone.鈥�

Woo鈥檚 current priorities are rolling out a series of educational guides, planning workshops, advising the university on strategic issues and continuing to connect with members of the community. And beyond that, she has big plans for what the office will become.

鈥淭here is so much good that can be done using this office and the platform I鈥檝e been given,鈥� she says. 鈥淢y vision is for the HRO to grow into something bigger and better and more valuable to the community 鈥攁 top-of-mind, trusted resource for not only human rights, but also problem solving and conflict resolution.

鈥淚 want everyone who comes to SFU, whether as a student, faculty or staff member, to know that the HRO exists and that we鈥檙e here to serve you. If I can communicate that message, and if I can serve the community well, then I think I can say that I鈥檝e done my job.鈥�

You can learn more about SFU's Human Rights Office by visiting the HRO website.