Dear NC employees,
As we welcome students to NC for the Fall 2026 term, we want to reaffirm Niagara College’s commitment to fostering an equitable, inclusive, and accessible learning and working environment for all students, employees, and visitors.
Supporting Mental Health
At NC, we believe that mental health support should be accessible, inclusive, and integrated into everyday campus life. This is part of our enduring commitment to being a Health Promoting campus, and to integrating health and wellbeing across all dimensions of college life. Please take time to familiarize yourself with the resources available, so you can connect yourself, students or colleagues with the right supports when needed:
- For employees: Counselling and mental health support are available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
- For students:
- If you are supporting a student experiencing an imminent mental health crisis, please call Campus Security for emergency response.
- If you are concerned for a student’s wellbeing due to them exhibiting signs of distress and difficulty, you can request a Wellness Check through Student Health and Counselling Services.
- Same-day and bookable appointments with counsellors, Registered Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners are available at www.niagaracollege.ca/hwas/appointment/ (SHCS).
- SHCS provides health care with Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and counsellors, while also helping students connect to primary health care with one of our partner Family Health Teams.
- After-hours student support:
- After hours and community-based supports are widely available for students. More information can be found by clicking ‘Are you okay’ in the top menu of the College’s website.
- After hours and community-based supports are widely available for students. More information can be found by clicking ‘Are you okay’ in the top menu of the College’s website.
Combating Racism and Hate
NC has policies and procedures in place to prevent and address incidents of racism and hate, and to guide students, employees, and visitors in responding. Learn more on our Policies website.
See something, say something:
All Niagara College employees have a responsibility to identify and address racism, discrimination and hate in the college community.
- Incidents that pose an immediate threat of harm and/or safety must be reported directly to Campus Safety.
- Online reporting: Submit confidentially through our reporting form, which can also be forwarded anonymously. You can report graffiti, slurs, hate speech, harassment, or discrimination related to Indigeneity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, racial/ethnic identity, or disability. These reports are received by the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion team, who will then determine how to proceed with the information.
- You can also access the “Report Hate and Racism” icon under My Applications in the MyNC Portal.
Free Learning Resources about Anti-hate and Racism
As part of our commitment to education and awareness, you can access online learning modules on racism and racial discrimination. This includes NC’s newest training module, Anti-Racism 101, which is free for all NC employees and students.
Tea and Talk: Reporting Hate and/or Racism on Campus
Join NC’s EDI team for their first ever tea and talk session which will focus on reviewing the process for reporting hate and/or racism on campus.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 24
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Welland Campus, room S103
This event is open to NC employees only. Spots are limited; register to ensure your participation.
Support and Feedback
If you have comments, questions, or suggestions related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility at Niagara College, please contact our EDI and Accessibility team at [email protected].
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to supporting our students. We wish you all the best for a successful Fall Term.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris McGrath and Vince Malvaso
