Dear Mannie,
This is disappointing news, and as others have said, it is difficult to
undertake any more than general considerations on the Race Equality
Policy given the advice currently available to the Sector.
The CRE has been giving the advice about examining functions since last
summer, and I don't really think this moves us on.
I'd be very grateful if , in response to this you could:
1) circulate (by email) the responses you got to your requests for
concerns and any other more general ones which the Sector has expressed
and which the ECU and CRE are taking into account in their further
deliberations, to help inform our response to the consultation and to
give us a flavour of the Sector's thinking;
2) let us know the actual date in February when the Model Policy
Structure will be available and how it will be distributed (by email
for preference).
I am experiencing a number of problems trying to work in a vacuum
without much sector-specific guidance, so I will be taking up your
invitation to contact you further. Without meaning to be too critical,
I think we have been looking to the ECU to provide such guidance and to
be told at this stage that the 'Model Policy' is only expected to add
value to what we are already doing rather begs the question of why we
are referring to it as a Model Policy.
Regards
Virginia
On Wed, 6 Feb 2002 19:26:37 -0000 Emmanuell Kusemamuriwo
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> The concerns of the sector, which are justifiable and understandable,
> have
> indeed been noted by the ECU,UUK, HEFCE and the CRE. As I have already
> informed colleagues, it is on the basis of all the issues and concerns,
> regarding the RRAA, that HEIs have been raising since July 2001, that
> the
> ECU and the CRE have been diligently working in partnership to produce a
> Model Race Equality Policy Structure.
>
> Thank you to all those who e-mailed me their further concerns to be
> taken to
> the CRE/ECU Race Equality Policy Workshop held last Thursday January
> 31st.
> There were so many issues raised that we have decided to include them
> in the
> soon-to-be-disseminated Model Policy Structure. Also as a result of all
> the
> raised issues which now have to be incorporated into the structure,
> there
> will now be a delay on its dissemination, till the third week of
> February
> 2002.
>
> I hope that you have all been "full speed ahead" with putting your
> policies
> together according to both your identified relevant functions and what
> the
> Code and the Guides in the Pack advise. Remember the deadline is fast
> approaching.
>
> If anyone is experiencing any particular challenges, please do not
> hesitate
> to contact me and together we will work out how best to proceed. Please
> do
> not wait for the ECU/CRE Structure as this is only meant to add value to
> your already designed policies. Hopefully you might not even need to
> adjust
> or add much more detail to your policies. The important thing is to be
> doing
> something rather than thinking you cannot do anything at all. Please
> remember, the General Duty is about mainstreaming Race Equality by
> making it
> an integral part of your relative and relevant institutional functions
> (remember the background:Dearing,Bett,Modood and the Stephen Lawrence
> Inquiry Recommendations by Judge Mcpherson)
>
> In other words, you might want to consider that the pertinent questions
> to
> ask are "What are our functions and how are we, as an institution,
> already
> implementing those functions. Is race equality integral to the
> implementation of those functions or not. If not, how then can we ensure
> that it is mainstreamed. What do we need to do and how." This is where
> you
> might then need to talk to/consult with the various ethnic minority
> groups
> from both students and staff and union reps etc in order to state what
> you
> need to do (how you need to function)and how you are going to do it.
> Basically, I would say you then would have a rough outline of your Race
> Equality Statement (Race Equality Policy) and arrangements for
> fulfilling it
> or action/implementation plan, which will include the Specific Duties of
> Monitoring, Assessing and Publishing. You could also start from what you
> already have, as your Equality Policy and work from there.
>
> As you can see, there are quite a few ways of getting started and
> that's how
> we need to be thinking about this. It is really about what can/should
> we be
> doing,no matter what it is, as opposed to what we cannot/will not do to
> get
> started. After all, beginning is half done.Please also remember the
> RRAA is
> not really about compliance or the law, it is about us working to
> implement
> best practice as employers and service providers, something that we
> declared
> we were, since we were set up. We should therefore welcome the RRAA
> Duties
> as the ABC of working to implement good employment and service practice
> for
> all.If we look at it any other way, we will only give ourselves a
> difficult
> time in getting started in the right direction. We are involved in a
> long
> process rather than an event.
>
> Just as a reminder,all our responses to the CRE Consultation Pack are
> due to
> the CRE, by February 28th. It is important that we respond as this will
> make
> the advice of the Code, more relative and relevant to the needs of our
> sector. Please remember to e-mail your responses to me at the ECU
> office so
> we can have an idea of the sector response.
>
> Looking forward to your wonderful comments,suggestions and advice etc,
> etc!!!!!!.
>
> Warmest regards.
> Mannie.
>
>
>
> Mannie Kusemamuriwo
> Policy Adviser: Ethnicity & Cultural Diversity
> Equality Challenge Unit
> 3rd Floor, Tavistock Place
> London WC1H 9RA
>
> Tel 020 7520 7060
> Fax 020 7520 7069
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: yeh1 [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 29 January 2002 16:38
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: RRAA CONSULTATION PACK
>
>
> I agree with concerns about the need for clear and helpful guidance
> specific to the sector. Many of the examples in the Pack were related to
> FE rather than HE, so I look forward to the model policy / scheme.
> Although we have been mulling this over and exchanging and absorbing
> info for months, like everyone else, it's not going to be easy to
> produce a document which really makes a difference on the ground,
> (surely the whole point), without some extra HE-focussed support.
>
> Yvie
> --
> Yvie Holder
> Equal Opportunities Adviser
> Registrar's Department
> University of York
> Heslington
> York YO10 5DD
>
> Tel: 01904 434681 Email: [log in to unmask]
> "Kent, Syd" wrote:
> >
> > Interesting, I will be seeing Manny on 31st (Thursday) at the CRE.
> > Syd.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Emmanuell Kusemamuriwo [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: 25 January 2002 18:08
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: RRAA CONSULTATION PACK
> >
> > Dear Sue,
> >
> > Just to let you know that the promised Commission for Racial Equality
> > (CRE)/Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) structure for a Model Race
> Equality
> > Policy will be ready to be sent out during the week beginning 4th
> February
> > 2001. It will be in structure form because as you are aware, under the
> > Specific Duty on preparing and maintaining a written statement of your
> Race
> > Equality Policy and setting out the arrangements for fulfilling it,
> HEIs,
> > according to the Statutory Code of Practice and Guide for
> Institutions of
> FE
> > and HE, in the Consultation Pack, have to follow certain recommended
> > procedures, relative to their own circumstances, functions and
> environment.
> > This will mean that the structure of your policies will/could be
> similar
> to
> > others but how the structure will have to be arrived at (the details
> of
> the
> > Policy) will be relative and relevant to your particular institution
> and
> > therefore different from others.
> >
> > I would further suggest that you might like to consider the advice
> given
> in
> > the Code of Practice as the lowest criteria to use in putting your
> policy
> > together while feeling free to expand on it as much as you need to.
> >
> > For example under the monitoring duty, different institutions might
> need
> to
> > expand on the different racial group categories, according to the
> students
> > in your institution, especially if we consider overseas students. You
> might
> > then find yourself having to add on to the Census Categories as they
> might
> > not include the extra racial groups that you have.
> >
> > In such a case, it is your responsibility, under the Act, to ensure
> that
> any
> > other extra racial groups within your institution are monitored
> relatively,
> > according to the appropriate specific duty requirements. You
> therefore can
> > exceed the advice of the Code but you should not go below it.
> >
> > The Consultation Pack document on the new equality legislation to
> outlaw
> > discrimination at work on grounds of sexual orientation, religion and
> age
> > was published by the Gvt. on 13 December 2001. If you have not yet
> received
> > a copy, you might want to download it from
> http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/equality
> >
> > The Equality Challenge Unit will be soon be sending out some advice to
> HEIs
> > on how to respond to this pack.
> >
> > The ECU will also be holding a Workshop in Wales @ Trinity College
> > Camarthen, on March 20th, starting from 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. We
> will be
> > talking with those involved in Human Resources and Equality issues
> within
> > the Welsh HEIs in order to gain a Welsh HEI perspective and decide how
> best
> > we can work together to address any Equality issues. We will also be
> > focussing on the Race Relations Amendment Act requirements for HEIs.
> Any
> > colleagues who can make it are most welcome but please do get in touch
> with
> > us at the ECU office and let us know by February 13, at the latest.
> See
> you
> > there!!!
> >
> > I hope this gives you an update on the current situation to do with
> the
> > equality legislation. If there are any issues arising from any of the
> above,
> > please feel free to get in touch.
> >
> > I look forward to hearing from you soon.
> >
> > Regards
> > Mannie.
> >
> > Emmanuell (Mannie) Kusemamuriwo (Policy Adviser: Ethnicity and
> Cultural
> > Diversity)
> >
> > Equality Challenge Unit
> > 3rd Floor, Tavistock Place,
> > London WC1H 9RA
> >
> > Tel 020 7520 7060
> > Fax 020 7520 7069
> > Email: [log in to unmask]
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: 24 January 2002 18:55
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: RE: RRAA CONSULTATION PACK
> >
> > Dear Mannie,
> >
> > I wondered whether the model policy on the RRAA was available yet or
> whether
> > its gone elsewhere in the University. Also whether the information
> on the
> > European Employment Directive proposals has also been sent out?
> >
> > Sue
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Emmanuell Kusemamuriwo [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > > Sent: 17 December 2001 12:15
> > > To:
> > > Subject: RRAA CONSULTATION PACK
> > >
> > > Dear Colleagues,
> > >
> > > Just to inform you that those of you who might need the Braille
> version
> of
> > > the Consultation Pack will need to get in touch with Emma Head at
> the
> CRE
> > > on
> > > 0207 828 7022 and ask for her extension. As further advice on the
> Pack,
> > > the
> > > ECU and the CRE are working to develop a model policy structure
> which
> HEIs
> > > should find adaptable to their institutional needs. This should be
> > available
> > > by the end of January 2002. However institutions are advised to
> carry on
> > > diligently working according to the Code, in order to have
> structures of
> > > their policy statements ready by the May 31st dead line. Please do
> not
> > > hold
> > > back for the model policy, it should compliment the work you will
> have
> > > already undertaken by then. As you are aware, the timetable is very
> tight.
> > >
> > > On another note, the Consultation on the European Employment
> Directive
> > > proposals to outlaw unfair discrimination at work on the grounds of
> sexual
> > > orientation, religion and age was launched on 13 December 2001.
> While
> the
> > > ECU will be sending out some information to HEIs at the beginning of
> > > January
> > > 2002, colleagues would be minded to download the pack from the
> following
> > > website http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/equality and start considering your
> > > responses. The deadline for consultation is end of March 2002.
> > >
> > > Please watch this space for more information.
> > >
> > > Regards
> > >
> > > Emmanuell (Mannie) Kusemamuriwo (Policy Adviser: Ethnicity and
> Cultural
> > > Diversity)
> > >
> > > Equality Challenge Unit
> > > 3rd Floor, Tavistock Place,
> > London WC1H 9RA
> > >
> > > Tel 020 7520 7060
> > > Fax 020 7520 7069
> > > Email: [log in to unmask]
> >
> > Sue Harper
> > Equal Opportunities Officer
> > University of Leeds
> > Woodhouse Lane
> > Leeds
> > LS2 9JT
> >
> > Tel. 0113 233 6700
> > Fax. 0113 233 4127
>
> --
> Yvie Holder
> Equal Opportunities Adviser
> Registrar's Department
> University of York
> Heslington
> York YO10 5DD
>
> Tel: 01904 434681 Email: [log in to unmask]
----------------------
Virginia M Wainwright
Equal Opportunities Officer
King's College London
James Clerk Maxwell Building
57 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8WA
020 7848 3399
[log in to unmask]
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