Mannie - thank you for this advice. However, aren't we looking at the
wrong end of the stick? Shouldn't HESA be getting their monitoring act
together in the first instance, so that HEIs all round Britain can
carry out their monitoring and reporting in compatible formats?
To set this in context, our HR system was designed by an external
manufacturer to be compatible with HESA reporting requirements for
staff. To my knowledge, the manufacturer can add additional data
collection fields to the system; we can't do it ourselves. I daresay
we're not the only University in this position. Surely it would be
"smarter" for the sector -- not to mention HR and Student Info system
manufacturers! -- if HESA got their systems sorted; then we can all
get it right first time.
Regards,
Faith
=================
On Mon, 11 Feb 2002 19:31:50 -0000 Emmanuell Kusemamuriwo
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Louisa,
>
> Thank you for your request and I hope my response will be of assistance am
> also putting it out onto other colleagues who might find these issues on
> RRAA AND HESA Monitoring Categories useful, since it has been one of those
> widely asked questions. Indeed some might want to ask/contribute further
> useful questions based on what we are discussing. I certainly hope you do
> not mind.
>
> While the HESA categories are the revised categories that HESA recommends
> under the census 2001 specifications, I would strongly advise you to use the
> Commission for Racial Equality amended categories on page 68 of the Ethnic
> Monitoring Guide, for the following reasons:
>
> 1. They are clearer than the HESA recommendations in that they enable your
> institution to expand your monitoring base and not be restricted. The Code's
> recommendations are only a bare minimum and institutions are allowed to
> expand their categories. This is an advantage given that institutions might
> find that they need to record different categories which might not
> necessarily be included in the HESA recommendations. Moreover any extra
> categories you use will still have the HESA ones nestled within them. You
> will therefore still be able to provide HESA with what they need while at
> the same time you will not fall short of the RRAA requirements.
>
> 2. The HESA categories do not instruct you to "write in" the other
> categories that are not defined. This will not only fall short of the RRAA
> Specific Duty of monitoring by racial group categories, but also distort
> your monitoring picture by only monitoring some of your racial groups and
> not all, as instructed by the Code. It would therefore defeat the whole
> reason why you are monitoring in the first place. We also need to remember
> that HEIs are likely to have a significant number of overseas students and
> staff who will have to be accurately monitored and also will need to have
> any policy impact accurately assessed, by racial group, in order for you to
> maintain your race equality policy and race equality - proof your relevant
> institutional functions under both the Specific and General Duties of the
> RRAA.
>
> 3. As a start, I would also suggest you look at re-classifying all your
> staff and students under the new categories, otherwise how are you going to
> start reflecting the true institutional picture, by racial group.In other
> words, after 31 May 2002, how are you going to start to implement the
> Monitoring and Impact Assessment specific duties, relative to the advice of
> the Code.
>
> The above three, I believe, are the main issues to take into consideration
> as you look to implement the Specific Duties and ensure that your
> institution is functioning under the requirements of the three elements of
> the RRAA General Duty.
>
> If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to get back as soon
> as you need to.
>
> I look forward to your comments.
>
> 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: Louisa de Beaufort [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 08 February 2002 15:35
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Ethnic Monitoring
>
>
> I would be grateful if you would look at the HESA
> circular and relate it to the demands of the RRAA
> requirements.
>
> Fax to follow.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Louisa
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------
> Louisa de Beaufort
> 0207 848 3470
----------------------
Faith Marchal
Equal Opportunities Adviser
Anglia Polytechnic University
[log in to unmask]
APU is committed to being an Equal Opportunities employer.
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