We are working to establish a strong data foundation of our campus composition. By collecting, protecting and analyzing more accurate demographic data from employees and students, we’ll be able to:
- identify gaps and inequities
- make evidence-based decisions to improve access and remove barriers
- measure progress of inclusive efforts
- honour local and national commitments in applied research and beyond.
Update your demographic data in your profile to help us build belonging #HereAtSAIT — it’s optional, easy and makes a difference.
Demographic data is the foundation of inclusive work. Accurate demographics empower SAIT to make strategic interventions that can have demonstrable impacts to improve the campus experience for students and employees.
John Partington
Director, Community and Belonging
How to update your demographic data
Log in
Log in to your mySAIT account.
Complete
Complete the demographic information section in your myStudent or myEmployee profile.
Submit
Submit your responses — you’re finished!
Demographic categories
The language of identity is ever-changing, so we’ve worked closely with our communities on campus to shape the categories we collect and how the data will be used.
| Category | Definition |
|---|---|
| Preferred name | The name that an individual chooses to go by, which may differ from their legal name. |
| Pronoun | Words that an individual uses to refer to themselves when not using their name, usually to affirm their gender identity. |
| Sex | Refers to sex assigned at birth by a medical practitioner based on physiological or biological attributes, and that may appear on current legal documents. |
| Gender identity | Refers to an individual’s internal feelings of being a man, woman, transgender, non-binary, Two-Spirit or other identifications. |
| Indigeneity | Refers to Indigenous peoples in Canada, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis (Status and non-Status). |
| Ethnicity | Refers to a group of people who share a common culture, tradition, language, history, geography, religion and racial identity. |
| Sexual orientation | Refers to romantic or sexual attraction to individuals of different sexes or genders, the same sex or gender, both sexes or genders, or no particular sex or gender. |
| Disability | Refers to a long-term or recurring physical, mental, sensory, psychiatric or learning impairment. |
| Religious affiliation | Refers to a connection with any religious denomination, group, body, community of faith or system of belief. |
| Immigration status | Refers to the legal classification or status assigned to an individual while living, working or studying within Canada. |
| Primary language | Refers to the first language an individual uses to communicate. |
Demographic data requests
SAIT considers requests for more specific demographic data on a case-by-case basis. Please include the following information in your request:
- Name of organization
- Data request parameters
- How the data will be used
- Where the data will be shared
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Your data will be used to:
- better understand and develop interventions to close achievement gaps in retention and completion for students
- develop targeted services and supports, such as mentoring, to foster academic and personal success for students
- develop targeted financial aid, such as scholarships and bursaries, to reduce the financial barriers faced by students
- personalize communications and customize lifelong learning preferences to improve the alumni experience
- better understand and develop interventions to reduce gaps in hiring, promotion and pay equity for employees
- increase the participation of researchers from underrepresented communities in the research ecosystem
- remove systemic discrimination by enabling the use of preferred names and pronouns for students and employees
- ensure the student and employee populations are representative of the local and provincial communities we serve.
Demographic data is the foundation of inclusive work. We want to collect, protect and analyze this information to make evidence-based decisions to better support you, measure progress overall and drive institutional accountability. It is also necessary to meet our national commitments for applied research and our local commitments to be representative of the communities we serve.
No. Disclosing demographic data is voluntary and each question contains a “prefer not to answer” option.
Demographic data is categorized as personal information under the Access to Information Act (ATIA) and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). We are following best practices for data governance to ensure confidentiality. Data is collected voluntarily, will only be accessible to authorized staff and will not be shared with third parties. Demographic data is kept confidential to ensure individual privacy is protected and used for internal purposes only.
Roles-based access for raw data will be enforced to ensure only a limited number of trained data stewards will be able to view information. No other employees will have access to the raw data.
- Public reporting at a departmental/school level only.
- Names and IDs removed for anonymity.
- Data withheld if five people or fewer self-identify in a category.
- Use percentages instead of numbers.
Data will be updated and synchronized across core systems, specifically Banner, within 24 hours. A submission confirmation message will be sent. No update notification will be provided.
Community groups on campus were involved from the beginning to co-create the categories to ensure inclusive and culturally relevant terms were used. Community groups also contributed input regarding the ways the data should be used for mutual benefit.
Consultations included:
Contact us
Community and Belonging
Stan Grad Centre, MC201
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Phone - 403.284.8333
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Email - belonging@sait.ca
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Monday - Friday | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Our Organization
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.