Student Views on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
2026 Survey Conducted by the UBC Sauder Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
Executive Summary
The UBC Sauder EDI Committee collected survey data on student experiences related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The survey was available to all undergraduate, graduate and Diploma in Accounting Program (DAP) students at UBC Sauder from December 15, 2025 to February 15, 2026, and was administered using Qualtrics software. As a thank you for their participation, students were entered into a draw for gift cards. In total, 362 students (277 undergraduate students, 57 graduate students, and 28 Diploma in Accounting Program (DAP) students) participated in the survey.
Overall, responses were positive for average ratings of inclusion (Mean = 3.85), access to resources (Mean = 4.07), inclusive pedagogy (Mean = 3.99), and the role of UBC Sauder’s Leadership in EDI (Mean = 3.88; all on 5-point
scales). When assessing the amount of EDI content in the curriculum, participants reported an average rating of 3.10. This is near the midpoint of the 5-point scale and indicates that the amount was perceived as “just the right amount.”
While the results paint a positive overall picture of inclusion and equity, it is important to remember that our overall sample size was relatively small, with some subgroups being represented by very few participants. As such, the results may not fully reflect the broader UBC Sauder student population and should be interpreted with this limitation in mind. Moving forward, a key goal is to recruit more participants—particularly from underrepresented subsamples—to ensure a wider range of voices and experiences are captured.
Methodology
Included 6 Types of Questions:
• Overall Sense of Inclusion
• Equitable Access to Resources
• Inclusive Pedagogy
• EDI in the Curriculum
• UBC Sauder Leadership
• Questions Specific to Indigenous Students
Data Collection Dates: December 15, 2025 to February 15, 2026
Incentive:
Lottery for $50 gift cards
Sample:
The survey was available to all undergraduate students, graduate students, and Diploma in Accounting Program (DAP) students at the UBC Sauder School of Business.
The total sample size was 362 students (277 undergraduate students, 57 graduate students, and 28 Diploma in Accounting Program students). We note that this is a relatively small sample size, with some subgroups having very low sample sizes. As a result, this might not be a fully representative sample of UBC Sauder students. This needs to be kept in mind when interpreting the results.
Number of Respondents
1 Persons identifying as ‘man’, ‘woman’, ‘transgender’ or ‘nonbinary’. Persons who identified as transgender women, or as transgender men are counted twice.
2 Persons identifying as Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or an analogous term.
3 Persons identifying as Indigenous persons. For the purpose of this survey, Indigenous persons include treaty, status/non-status, registered/non-registered members of First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
4 Persons identifying as persons who are racialized, visible minority, non-white, persons of colour, or an analogous term. The term “racialized” is used as a more current term than “visible minority” from the Employment Equity Act (1995). For the purposes of this survey, members of racialized groups are persons who do not identify as Indigenous persons, and who do not identify as primarily European and/or White in race, ethnicity, origin, and/or colour, regardless of their birthplace or citizenship.
Overall Sense of Inclusion: Overall Sample Breakdown per Item
To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your general experience at the UBC Sauder School of Business?
I feel a positive sense of belonging and inclusion at UBC Sauder
I feel included by most people I engage with at UBC Sauder
I feel my beliefs, identity, and experiences as an individual are valued at UBC Sauder
I feel that finding community is easy at UBC Sauder
I feel that UBC Sauder fosters a culture of respect and understanding
I feel welcome, seen, and heard at UBC Sauder
General Sense of Inclusion: Within Subsamples Index across all items 1
Overall Sense of Inclusion: Undergraduate Students 1
Inclusion Index (1-5 Scale)
1 Index based on the 6 items measuring Overall Sense of Inclusion (see figure on page 6), answered on scales ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
Equitable Access to Resources Overall Sample (Part I) Breakdown
per Item
Do you feel that you, personally, have equitable access to the following services or activities at UBC Sauder?
Getting advice on academic or curricular activities
Requesting academic accommodations
Participating in classroom activities (e.g. discussions, group projects)
Studying abroad or participating in international learning opportunities
Applying to be a research assistant, teaching assistant, or WorkLearn position
Accessing support in my career development
Finding an internship/co-op position via UBC Sauder resources
Equitable Access to Resources: Overall Sample (Part II)
Breakdown per Item
Do you feel that you, personally, have equitable access to the following services or activities at UBC Sauder?
Participating in student-sponsored events (CUS, MBA/MBAN/MM/BMM/PMBA Societies)
Participating in UBC Sauder sponsored events
Joining a student club at UBC Sauder
Accessing different parts of the building at UBC Sauder (mobility issues)
Accessing washrooms that correspond to your gender identity (UBC Sauder buildings)
Finding affordable housing
Accessing healthcare services
Finding affordable food options
Accessing affordable textbooks and course materials
Equitable Access to Resources: Within Subsamples Index across all items 1
1 Index based on the first 12 items displayed on the figures shown on pages 9 and 10 (i.e., excluding items related to housing, healthcare, food, and textbooks and course materials) measuring perceived equitable access to resources and participation at UBC Sauder, answered on scales ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
Equitable Access to Resources Undergraduate Students 1
Equitable Access Index (1-5 Scale)
1 Index based on the first 12 items displayed on the figures shown on pages 9 and 10 (i.e., excluding items related to housing, healthcare, food, and textbooks and course materials), answered on scales ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
Inclusive Pedagogy (Part I): Overall Sample Breakdown per Item
To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your coursework and other learning opportunities at the UBC Sauder School of Business?
I feel that my professors build rapport and a sense of inclusion through participation and engagement
My professors cultivate an inclusive classroom by setting expectations around respectfulness in the classroom
My professors take actions to facilitate a genderinclusive classroom (e.g., gender-neutral language, pronouns)
My professors take actions to facilitate a culturally inclusive classroom (e.g., multiple participation options)
My professors ensure the learning environment accommodates disability and differently-abled students (e.g., material formats, seating options)
Inclusive Pedagogy (Part II): Overall Sample Breakdown per Item
To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your coursework and other learning opportunities at the UBC Sauder School of Business?
My professors choose course material, activities, and assessments in ways that minimize undue burdens
My professors select course material that reflects a diverse range of identities (e.g., IBPOC individuals, gender diversity)
Guest speakers included by my professors represent diverse perspectives, identities, and experiences
My professors acknowledge how their own identity and experience shape their sharing of course material
My professors encourage contribution of diverse views and respect for different opinions
Inclusive Pedagogy: Within Subsamples Index across all items 1
1 Index based on the 10 items evaluating inclusive pedagogy at UBC Sauder (Figures on pages 13 and 14), answered on scales ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
Inclusive Pedagogy Undergraduate Students 1
1 Index based on the 10 items evaluating inclusive pedagogy at UBC Sauder, answered on scales ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
Too Much/Too Little
EDI in the Curriculum
How would you evaluate UBC Sauder’s inclusion of content related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the coursework you have completed?
Too Much/Too Little
EDI in the Curriculum 1
1 Question “How would you evaluate UBC Sauder’s inclusion of content related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the coursework you have completed?”, (see page 17), answered on a scale ranging from 1 (Far too little) to 5 (Far too much).
Too Much/Too Little EDI in the Curriculum Undergraduate Students
How would you evaluate UBC Sauder’s inclusion of content related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the coursework you have completed?
UBC Sauder Leadership on EDI
Overall Sample Breakdown per Item
To what extent do you agree with the following statements about how the leadership at UBC Sauder manages EDI?
Note: By leadership, we mean the people in charge of making the strategic decisions about the values and directions at UBC Sauder.
UBC Sauder leadership sets a clear agenda on EDI
UBC Sauder leadership considers EDI as a priority
UBC Sauder leadership will support students in their initiatives centred around EDI
UBC Sauder Leadership on EDI Overall Sample Index across all items 1
1 Index based on the 3 items measuring perceived commitment to EDI of UBC Sauder Leadership (see Figure on page 20), answered on scales ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
UBC Sauder Leadership on EDI Undergraduate Students Index across all items 1
1 Index based on the 3 items measuring perceived commitment to EDI of UBC Sauder Leadership (see Figure on page 20), answered on scales ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
1
Questions Specific to Indigenous Students 1
INCLUSION
I feel a sense of belonging with the Indigenous community at the Sauder School of Business
I feel a sense of belonging with the Indigenous community at UBC
Student Views on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
