In this edition of GEEC Speak!, GEEC gets to know the 2020-2021 PGSS Equity Commissioner, Mike Fan. They are currently collaborating with GEEC and other student organizations on the PGSS Equity & Allyship Book Club, so stay tuned for upcoming events where you can join the conversation and talk equity with Mike!
Tell us a little about yourself: your background, interests, motivation for engaging with the PGSS Equity & Diversity Committee, and anything else you’d like us to know!
First of all, I’m thrilled to hear about all the wonderful work GEEC is doing, including this interview series! It’s a real inspiration and positive example for all of McGill’s graduate associations. As for me . . . where to begin! I am a busy bee. Primarily I’m an opera singer and educator. I’m currently completing a Masters of Music (MMus ’21) at McGill’s School of Music in Opera and Voice Performance studying with tenor John Mac Master. I’m a polymath and polyglot - I currently sing in 10 languages and speak 7! Besides my training as a singer, I hold degrees in Biomedical Science and Piano Performance as well as minors in German and Italian studies. Occasionally I also still work as an actor and pianist. Currently I am also completing a Spiritual Life Coaching course this year with Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant’s Inner Visions Institute.
As a gender non-binary, queer, 2nd-generation immigrant performer of color, I’ve faced discrimination on many levels in different facets of my life. I have had to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) issues in personal, academic, and professional spheres for myself and for others. When I heard about this Commissioner role, I felt a calling to make positive change at McGill and beyond through EDI initiatives. And so, I heeded the calling, applied for this role as Commissioner, and fortunately the rest is history!
Tell us about the role of the PGSS Equity Commissioner and when an individual should reach out to the PGSS Equity & Diversity Committee.
The PGSS Equity & Diversity Commissioner is the advocate and representative for McGill’s graduate students regarding EDI. The role primarily supports but is not limited to students with disabilities and those who are queer, Indigenous, and racialized individuals. What I love is that PGSS Commissioners more or less have carte blanche to host events and initiatives under our portfolios. However, we are allotted three hours a week to accomplish all of this! There never seems to be enough time to make it all happen, although this is a good problem to have, I suppose. There is always something that motivates me to continue making a difference.
As well, we represent the graduate student voice by sitting on various EDI committees and meetings across McGill. Our mission in doing so is to address policies and practices to improve EDI standards across McGill University, especially focused on the graduate student experience. If you’re a McGill graduate student, you are a PGSS member and welcome anytime to contact us!
How do you define equity and diversity? How similar or contrasting are ensuring equity and equality, in your view?
To me, equity and diversity are like the queer rainbow flag - representing all colors as well as shapes, sizes, abilities, races, orientations, etc. etc. etc. In Canada we’re so lucky to have such a wide range of people from all around the world who are generally allowed the freedom to live the life that they desire. I prefer the word equity over equality as equality assumes that all people desire or require the same things. Everyone’s experiences and goals in life differ widely depending on their situations and individual identities. Equity to me provides individuals freedom from discrimination and adequate access to resources according to their specific needs, rather than if everyone wants or needs the same thing.
The PGSS Equity & Diversity Committee supports many different marginalized groups. In your opinion, is there a group that you think should be discussed more than it currently is at McGill? If so, could you summarize some of the EDI topics related to this group?
I began my term in June 2020 immediately following George Floyd’s murder, so programming for our racialized students especially Black students is a priority this year. As well, I also find it important to program for queer students in the light of so many Pride events being cancelled or shifted to limited online replacements. Students with disabilities are also facing issues given the reliance on online classes which are not ideal for those with challenges regarding vision, hearing, and Zoom fatigue. It is also difficult for marginalized students to find community and solidarity during this socially distanced time. The pandemic has really put a spotlight on many marginalized groups, but fortunately it also seems that departments and faculty are becoming more open to feedback as a result of the turbulent events of 2020. I’m excited at the tangible possibilities for creating positive change and transformation for members of the McGill community who have long waited for their voices to be heard seriously and attentively - not to say it’s easy, however.
What kind of services does PGSS offer regarding EDI and how can students access them?
We have a PGSS Anti-Violence Coordinator who facilitates training and resources regarding harassment on campus. Furthermore, I have been active in creating and collaborating on free programming for PGSS students as such as our speaker series “Voices of Diversity” and our Equity & Allyship Book Club. Also, the PGSS Equity & Diversity Committee and I represent PGSS graduate students and liaise with student groups such as the Joint Senate-Board Subcommittees on Equity, including REP (Racialized and Ethnic Persons), women, disabilities, queer, and First Nations. Students with any questions can contact me and I am happy to redirect them to the most appropriate groups and resources!
What are the current/future initiatives you are planning for the committee and how are you planning to proceed with them in this pandemic situation?
There are two new monthly initiatives that I am happy to be leading. First, there is the Voices of Diversity speaker series. Each month we interview a guest championing EDI in their work. Second is the Equity & Allyship Book Club co-hosted with PGSAs and GEEC. These events and many others at PGSS have been online delivered via the Zoom platform. Despite the live experience which we’re missing, it’s really been wonderful, allowing us to welcome guests and students at McGill, Montréal, and beyond without extra travel and hospitality costs. As well, we are continuing to collaborate on the many wonderful existing initiatives such as Queer History Month, the PGSS Anti-Violence Coordinator, and sitting on many committees at the department, graduate, and McGill-wide levels.
There have been many great new ideas including an Equity calendar, where we collate EDI events at PGSS and in the broader McGill and Montréal area. We’re hoping to launch this BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Grad Network at the start of 2021 including a new BIPOC Coordinator position to assist in running the Network. Through our new BIPOC Grad Network we’re also planning to continue online programming including a BIPOC 5 à 7 and other events surrounding our branches of Socials, Advocacy, QT (Queer-Trans) and Networking. Getting the word out about our events and initiatives is a challenge relying solely on online means. However, I’ve worked to expand our PGSS social media beyond Facebook into Instagram and Twitter which have greatly improved and increased our interactions with grad students.
What can be done on an individual level to ensure EDI at McGill?
As graduate students, I encourage everyone to get involved with your own faculty’s PGSA and of course PGSS! During these times especially after race-related conversations I have also seen graduate students taking great initiatives. Many PGSAs also have EDI groups, and I’ve been delighted to hear new ones beginning this year as well. I encourage everyone to talk and write to their supervisor, professors, department, administration, and Dean. I think students at any level whether graduate or not can start petitions or join initiatives to make McGill a more inclusive and diverse University community. I have seen that staff and faculty seem much more open during these times to change and growth. It’s a wonderful opportunity to shake things up - let’s work to make sure it continues this way rather than simply being a phase of transformation and awareness! This important work must continue.
If a member of our community would like to contact you, how should they contact/approach you?
Absolutely! You can email me at equity.pgss@mail.mcgill.ca or message me on social media @PGSSEquity regarding PGSS Equity and Diversity. I also invite you to visit my website www.MikeZFan.com and my personal social media @MikeZFan. And for something off the deep end, you can also get to know my drag diva alter ego @TanyaSmania!