Further to Berry's message,

I believe all institutions will receive copies of the guidelines very
soon and you can get copies yourselves by going to the UUK web site
http://bookshop.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/ as the HEEON person on the
steering group I would be interested in your comments.

The Glees report was mentioned by a journalist at the press briefing on
Monday but I'm pleased to say that Les Ebdon (VC Luton) Chair of the
steering group and Drummond Bone (President of UUK) were very capable of
speaking up for the freedom and independence of Universities and the
benefits and enrichment to society and the academic world from their
diverse, multi national and multicultural communities.

Best wishes,

Syd.

Syd Kent mailto:[log in to unmask]
Equal Opportunities Development Officer
University of Essex
Wivenhoe park
Colchester
Essex
CO4 3SQ

Phone: 01206 872390
Fax: 01206 873396

-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dicker, Berry J
Sent: 09 November 2005 15:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Media Release: Updated guidelines tackle hate crimes and
intolerance on campus


Dear All,
 Forgive me if you have already seen this media release but, if not, I
draw it to your attention as the report makes a good counterbalance to
The Glees report which has some rather disturbing recommendations (EG
universities should be allowed to have no more than 8% Black or ethnic
minority students).
BD


Updated guidance to help higher education institutions (HEIs) deal with
hate crimes and intolerance on campus is being launched today (Tuesday).
 
The publication - Promoting good campus relations: dealing with hate
crimes and intolerance - updates the previous Committee of
Vice-Chancellors and Principals' guidance on Extremism and Intolerance
on Campus and provides an overview of the ways in which HEIs can
encourage tolerance and respect and ensure that academic freedoms cannot
be exploited.
 
The guidance provides examples of how intolerant behaviour can
potentially cause problems in a higher education context and outlines
good principles of practice that HEIs should consider. Rather than
advocating a 'one size fits all' approach, the guidance recommends that
HEIs should look at incidents of hate crimes and intolerance on a
case-by-case basis, within existing and forthcoming legal frameworks,
and with a particular focus on the positive duty currently in place for
race equality.
 
The publication was guided by a core steering group comprising
representatives from Universities UK, ECU, SCOP, HEEON, AMOSSHE, NUS,
AHUA and trades union representatives. It was chaired by Professor Les
Ebdon, Vice Chancellor at the University of Luton and member of the
Universities UK Student Experience Strategy Group. It was supplemented
by a virtual steering group of representatives from religious and faith
organisations, specialist organisations and higher education
institutions.
 
Commenting on the guidelines Professor Les Ebdon said: "Academic freedom
is central to the work of higher education institutions, which were
established to be places where there is free debate and the interchange
of ideas.

"The key principle for dealing with hate crimes and intolerance on
campus is to understand that all staff and students have the right to
work, study and live without fear of intimidation, harassment and
threatening or violent behaviour. The key ingredient for the
preservation of academic freedom is tolerance and respect for diversity.

"The report has a wide range of reference and covers, for example, not
just instances of racial or religious intolerance, but also homophobia,
animal rights extremism, and intolerance of issues such as disability or
party politics."
 
Professor Drummond Bone, President of Universities UK, said: "This
updated document arose out of a need for new practical guidance -
requested by institutions - following legislative changes and takes
account of the new social and political climate.
 
"We must not forget that we all have a responsibility to be aware of
threats to the freedom we enjoy. Universities are no different from the
wider society in this respect. I am confident this document will provide
institutions with a practical tool to deal with such instances on campus
- rare though they are."

ENDS
 
Notes
1. The document will be available to journalists present at the
media briefing and will then be available to download from
<http://bookshop.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/> from Tuesday 8 November.
2. This collaborative project was guided by a Core Steering Group
which included representatives from Universities UK, the Equality
Challenge Unit (ECU), the Standing Conference of Principals (SCOP), the
Higher Education Equal Opportunities Network (HEEON), AMOSSHE, the
National Union of Students, the Association of Heads of University
Administration (AHUA) and trades union representatives. It was chaired
by Professor Les Ebdon, Vice Chancellor, University of Luton, and member
of the Universities UK Student Experience Strategy Group. The work of
the Core Steering Group was supplemented by a Virtual Steering Group,
consisting of religious and faith organisations, specialist
organisations and institutions.>
3. Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning,
Further and Higher Education, is due to attend the media launch of the
guidelines.
4. Professor Drummond Bone and Professor Les Ebdon will be
available for interview. For further information contact Gareth Morgan
at the Universities UK press office on 020 7419 5407 or email
[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.