Thanks for your helpful reply, Mannie.
On 26 Aug 2004 at 12:06, Mannie Kusemamuriwo wrote:
Priority: normal
Date sent: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 12:06:16 +0100
Send reply to: HE Administrators equal opportunities list <[log in to unmask]>
From: Mannie Kusemamuriwo <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Pentecost Festival for Jewish students
To: [log in to unmask]
> You could also make sure that you involve the Board of Deputies of
> British Jews and the CRE, in order to ensure that you have done
> everything that can then be regarded as reasonable and practicable, in
> agreeing whatever way forward you will come up with.
>
> We need to remember that not everyone in our institutions (students or
> staff) will always agree with whatever is concluded as the best way
> forward in dealing with institutional, staff and student needs. However
> if we can, from an institutional point of view, demonstrate through
> evidence, that what we have implemented is the best possible reasonable
> and practicable solution based on communication, consultation and
> meaningful inclusion of all those who need to be involved, then we will
> be able to justify our action to anyone on any forum, if needs be.
>
> This is the best response that any institution can be expected to adopt
> and/or adapt, in any instance where institutional employment or service
> provision practice is called to account.
>
> Regards
> Mannie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Fehmeeda Riaz
> Sent: 26 August 2004 11:29
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Pentecost Festival for Jewish students
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> We have been dealing with a sensitive and potentially difficult
> situation regarding
> special exam arrangements for Orthodox Jewish students who were
> observing the
> Pentecost Festival in June but alerted us to their requirements at a
> very late stage.
>
> I know that the Equality Challenge Unit is due to produce some further
> guidance in
> this area later on in the year, but I would be very grateful if
> colleagues could offer any
> advice on this, particularly if they have had similar requests at their
> institutions and
> how they have dealt with them. We are totally committed to embracing
> diversity and
> promoting equality and want to be as flexible and accommodating as
> possible but
> there are clear logistical problems with trying to timetable hundreds of
> exams for a
> community of approximately 23,000 students. There is also the potential
> for creating
> a dangerous precedent or causing potential friction with other students
> who may also
> have special needs with regards to religious festivals/observance during
> assessment
> periods.
>
> With best wishes
>
> Fehmeeda
> Fehmeeda Riaz
> Employee Relations Adviser (Diversity)
> University of Westminster
> HR Department
> 9-18 Euston Centre
> Tel: 0207-911-5776
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Fehmeeda Riaz
Employee Relations Adviser (Diversity)
University of Westminster
HR Department
9-18 Euston Centre
Tel: 0207-911-5776
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