Dear Richard,
Although quite alot can be achieved equality-wise with a change in emphasis in the way managers/institutions work, some of this work has clear resource implications. No additional funds came into HEIs for the RRAA implementation and in many cases EO officers had to find ways of incorporating the additional workload, so I fully sympathise with your point.
I think we do need to raise the resource implications of the legislation and the under resourcing of some areas equality. The Comprehensive Spending Review is being undertaken by the Government at present. This looks at how resources are shared out. It is of course much wider than HE but you can make a case to your MP about the allocation of resources in relation to the implementation of Equality legislation. It is a long shot but nothing gets done if we don't try.
Berry
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Richard Burrow
Sent: 25 October 2005 17:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty
Am I alone in experiencing a slight feeling of dread at the additional
workload that inevitably comes with specific duties? I confess to
thinking the general duty was enough to be getting on with.
Richard
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Liz Sutherland
>Sent: 25 October 2005 16:40
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty
>
>Dear colleagues
>
>The recent ECU Update 07/05 Advancing equality for men and
>women: government's proposals for a gender duty
>www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/updates notes that the government
>will be giving further consideration to the extent to which it
>would be appropriate for the specific duties to aply to
>schools, colleges and universities. It goes on to say that ECU
>will be providing a detailed response to the DTI consultation
>and that our early thoughts on the consultation document are
>that HEIs should be included in the list of public bodies
>subject to the specific duties.
>
>Chrissie Pepper and Erica Halvorsen who lead on gender issues
>for the Unit are both on leave at the moment. Chrissie will be
>back on November 2nd and Erica on the 7th and both will be
>happy to answer further queries then. Meantime, we would
>encourage all HEIs to respond to the consultation. Please do
>let us know, either via the mailbase or via individual emails
>( please send to [log in to unmask] and not to me) what your views
>are on this particular aspect of the proposals.
>
>With good wishes
>
>Liz Sutherland on behalf of ECU
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Mari Piper
>Sent: 25 October 2005 11:45
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: FW: Gender Equality Duty
>
>
>I'm pleased to hear that others are campaigning with us to get
>education included - it is a huge oversight and definitely
>problematic.
>
>The consultation on the Gender Equality Duty itself is being
>conducted by the DTI who have drafted the Equality Bill that
>houses the Gender Equality Duty. The link to their
>consultation can be found here:
>http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-1540.html . I
>am glad that you and the other members of the HE EO mailing
>list are in agreement about this, and I would encourage all
>members to respond to the DTI consultation with this message.
>
>The EOC will also be submitting a consultation to the DTI
>making this point, among others. When our response has been
>completed, it will be on our website.
>
>Hope that helps; if there is anything else, please drop me a line!
>
>Heather
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Mari Piper [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 10:48 AM
>To: Heather Barclay
>Subject: FW: Gender Equality Duty
>
>Heather,
>
>There is an e-mail discussion group for equal opportunities,
>which has recently been discussing the fact that we are
>excluded from the Gender Duty. I've passed your e-mail address
>to the list, for anyone who wants to offer the EOC support to
>challenge HEIs exclusions from the duty. I hope that's okay. A
>copy of the e-mails are below.
>
>Mari Piper
>Equality and Diversity Manager
>
>CSB 7/21
>University of Huddersfield
>Queensgate
>Huddersfield
>HD1 3DH
>
>Tel: 01484 473146
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mari Piper
>Sent: 25 October 2005 10:45
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty
>
>
>In the recent Equal Opportunities Commission seminar that I
>went to, the EOC said they were probably going to challenge
>this exclusion. As I understand it, the exclusion was
>originally in place because the DfES had pointed out that the
>RRA was not working for schools - LEAs are required to so
>Impact Assessments, not schools, and schools don't have to
>have an Equality Scheme. Several Universities and Unions
>offered encouragement to the EOC to make such a challenge. If
>anyone would like to e-mail them directly to add support to
>the idea that we should be covered the e-mail address I have
>for someone involved in this is [log in to unmask]
>
>Mari Piper
>Equality and Diversity Manager
>
>CSB 7/21
>University of Huddersfield
>Queensgate
>Huddersfield
>HD1 3DH
>
>Tel: 01484 473146
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Faith Marchal
>Sent: 25 October 2005 10:37
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty
>
>
>Dear all,
>
>Agree with Melanie and Berry about the omission of HEIs (as well as
>FEIs) from this list. It seems bizarre considering HEIs have
>public sector duties in related race / disability legislation,
>so I can only imagine it must be a copyediting error. But who
>knows! Whatever the reason, it needs to be pointed out in
>consultation responses.
>
>Best wishes,
>Faith
>---------------------
>Faith Marchal
>HR Consultant - Diversity
>Anglia Ruskin University
>Bishop Hall Lane
>Chelmsford CM1 1SQ
>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>tel: 01245 493131, ext 4928
>
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Melanie Landells" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 12:35 PM
>Subject: Gender Equality Duty
>
>
>Dear Colleagues,
>
>I was very surprised to see that HEI's in England and Wales (but not
>Scotland) have been omitted from the list of bodies with
>specific duties in the forthcoming public sector duty to
>promote gender equality.
>
>For several reasons, not least the situation in the sector
>with regard to women in senior positions, I believe all HEI's
>should have specific duties.
>
>I will be responding to the DTI consultation to lobby for the
>inclusion of the HE sector in England and Wales.
>
>What do other colleagues think?
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Mel
>
>Melanie Landells
>Head of Equality & Diversity
>Secretariat - Equality & Diversity
>4, Portland Villas,
>Plymouth University
>Plymouth PL4 8AA
>[log in to unmask]
>Tel: 01752 233973
>Fax 01752 238628
>
>This transmission is confidential and may be legally
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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Heather Barclay
>Policy Officer
>
>Equal Opportunities Commission
>
>Tel: 0161 838 8310
>Fax: 0161 838 8303
>Mobile:
>Web: www.eoc.org.uk
>Address: Arndale House, Arndale Centre, Manchester, M4 3EQ
>
>
>
>Read our six point action plan for Government to transform
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>http://www.eoc.org.uk/default.aspx?page=17347
>
>
>
>
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