I'd very much agree with this pragmatic appraoch.

Felicity


Dr M F Hunt
Equal Opportunities Officer

University of Cambridge
Personnel Division
The Old Schools
Trinity Lane
Cambridge CB2 1TT

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"Smith, Geoff" <[log in to unmask]> on 26/11/2003 10:04:14

Please respond to HE Administrators equal opportunities list
      <[log in to unmask]>

To:   [log in to unmask]
cc:    (bcc: Felicity Hunt/PER/Central-Admin)

Subject:  Re: BMEG parental guides




Just a couple of comments on BMEG

1. Language is important in relation to diversity but only up to a point. It
is possible to get carried away with the finer distinctions and
lose sight of other significant issues.

2. Acronyms are most useful in long documents where otherwise the same full
title or phrase would have to be repeated in full provided, of
course, it is given in full once at the beginning.

Geoff

*************************************
Geoff Smith
Assistant Secretary
University Secretariat
Sheffield Hallam University
City Campus
Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Fax: 0114 225 3498
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-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Aneela McKenna
Sent: 26 November 2003 09:58
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: BMEG parental guides


My view on this is that acronyms should not be used to identify with minority
ethnic groups. The way in which we describe different ethnic
communities is continually changing. There was a time in the 80s when black
was seen as the "correct" political term, then a change to
ethnic minority communities and recently "minority ethnic" or "black and
minority ethnic"- well that's been the trend in Scotland.

Therefore I would keep away from acronyms and the fact that some of us on this
mail group including myself did not know what BMEG it stood
for.


Aneela

********************************************
Aneela McKenna
Equal Opportunities Co-ordinator
Staff Development Service
Human Resources
University of Glasgow
Gilbert scott Building
Glasgow G12 8QQ
0141 330 3173
0141 330 3799 http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/humanresources/eopolicy.htm



-----Original Message-----
From: L.Healy [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 26 November 2003 09:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: BMEG parental guides


Our committee decide that the use of such acronyms was not desirable.  What do
others think?  Mannie?

Lynne



Priority:               normal
Date sent:              Wed, 26 Nov 2003 08:49:51 -0000
Send reply to:          HE Administrators equal opportunities list
<[log in to unmask]>
From:                   Judith Finch <[log in to unmask]>
Organization:           University of Oxford
Subject:                Re: BMEG parental guides
To:                     [log in to unmask]

> Black (&) minority ethnic group?
>
> I think..
> Judith
>
>
> On 25 Nov 2003, at 14:13, Susanna Hancock wrote:
>
> > Hi, all, I know this makes me look really stupid, but what, please,
> > is bmeg?  I'm sure it's really obvious, but, no matter how I wrack
> > my brains, I can't think of it!
> >
> > Susanna.
> >
> >
> > Susanna Hancock
> > Equal Opportunities Manager
> > Human Resource Services
> > Middlesex University
> > Trent Park, Bramley Road
> > London N14 4YZ
> > Telephone: (+44) 020 8411 6873
> > Mobile phone: 07946 411874
> > Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> Judith Finch
> Diversity and Equal Opportunities Officer
> University of Oxford
> University Offices
> Wellington Square
> Oxford
> OX1 2JD
> Tel:  01865 270083
> email [log in to unmask]


**********************************************
Lynne Healy
Assistant Registrar/Learner Support/ Disability

University of Sheffield
Student Services Department
Student Support & Guidance
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Sheffield
S10 2TG

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