Hello to all (first posting as I am relatively new to this job role)
I am really interested in the responses on the Gender Equality Schemes and the development of Single Equality Schemes.
I am currently working on the GES by gathering staff and student data together for analysis. I have posted questions on our internal website for both staff and students and have had some response. Have others had a large response to such questions? Is there anyone else willing to share the issues that they are addressing in their schemes in broad terms (similar to Berry's below)? I appreciate these may be different for each institution but there will surely be a number of similarities - and the more issues we are able to consider the better. The questions posted by Deb Viney seem to be an excellent starting point for student issues- even if we don't manage to answer all, and some can be expanded for staff (thank you very much for taking the time to post them and for sharing).
With regard to Single Equality Schemes I am working on a single policy to cover all but at present we will continue to have separate action plans for race, disability and gender. I would like to see these drawn together into one action plan for all strands, similar to HEFCE, as I see this as a way of acknowledging that, as individuals, we do not neatly "fit" into one section.
I have included email details below if anyone would prefer to discuss off line.
Finally, a big thank you to all who regularly contribute to this mailing - it is invaluable to those of us who are new to these posts, and I'm sure very useful even to those who are more experienced!
Kind Regards
Alison
Alison Preece
Equalities and Diversity Coordinator
University of Wales, Newport
[log in to unmask]
________________________________
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list on behalf of Dicker, Berry J
Sent: Wed 21/02/2007 10:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty and involving students
Like Mel I think it would be useful to share broad issues on the list.
It could seem a bit like revealing criticisms of our University in
public as we know this is an open list. However if we deal in broad
issues I suspect some are widely shared. Obviously matters of student
provision, admission, progression and achievement need to be covered
and any imbalance worked on. Here individual departments also look at
these issues so for example counselling/ facilities/student support etc
will have specific impact assessments and plans.
Students thought by and large we did reasonably well on gender.
Our SU student consultations revealed that what our students wanted us
to address were:
More female security staff
The way men and women speak to each other...they notice women are often
talked over
Closer pre -employment checks on staff's awareness of equality issues
Curriculum matters ( some do not find their experience reflected in what
and how they are taught)
General language matters ( relates to insensitive use of language which
can give offence)
Haven't begun to think if and how we might address any of these except
curriculum issues where we have made a start with an interesting
research project.
Berry
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Melanie Landells
Sent: 21 February 2007 09:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty and involving students
Dear Marie,
I would be interested in hearing about what others are doing - I wonder
whether other colleagues feel that this would be a useful on list
discussion?
Mel
Melanie Landells
Head of Equality & Diversity
Secretariat
Plymouth University
Plymouth PL4 8AA
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
01752 233973
________________________________
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list on behalf of Marie
Paturel
Sent: Wed 21/02/2007 09:55
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty and involving students
I have to say that after speaking to the Student Union council, emails
to various student union reps, emails to managers of various Student
Services managers, I am finding it hard to find non-academic issues
which have gender equality concerns (the data on student profile,
progression and awards is another matter). I have come up with a few
issues but these have primarily come from my discussion with the Women's
Officer at NUS. I wouldn't mind having a discussion off list (or on if
there is a strong interest in this discussion) on some of the academic
and non-academic issues I am looking at including specificaly for
students with the eye to comparing notes with others and getting
feedback on whether you think these issues impact on your students and
also bouncing off ideas on how to address them in the action items. Let
me know if anyone is interested in sharing and comparing.
Thanks
Marie Paturel
Student Equality and Diversity Adviser
[log in to unmask]
Department of Student Services
Brighton University
The Manor House
Moulsecoomb Place
Brighton
BN2 4GA
01273 642852
________________________________
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Fehmeeda Riaz
Sent: 20 February 2007 12:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty and involving students
Thanks, Richard. These suggestions are very helpful. So far I have
worked with the Diversity Champion at the Students' Union and she has
held some focus groups with other students and sabbatical officers but
there is nothing really concrete that has come out as a concern in terms
of gender equality.
Fehmeeda Riaz
HR Manager - Equality & Diversity
University of Westminster
HR Department
115 New Cavendish Street
London, W1W 6UW
Tel: 020-7911-5776
________________________________
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard Brown
Sent: 20 February 2007 12:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty and involving students
Hi Fehmeeda,
I think a good place to start would be the NUS website
(www.nusonline.co.uk <http://www.nusonline.co.uk/> ) and look over the
National campaigns . I would also suggest trying to engage your Union
reps on gender and LGBT issues (if you have any). These may be helpful
in terms of looking at a much wider picture of the student experience in
relation to gender. I would also suggest running your draft scheme past
your union officers, or at least having a round table discussion with
them about the action plan etc.
Hope this is helpful
--------------------------
Richard Brown
Equality and Diversity Manager
Staff and Students
Keele University
Tel: 01782 (58)4403
[log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: Melanie Landells <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 12:25 PM
Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty and involving students
Hi Fehmeeda,
Yes absolutely agree - ours is too. The students do not seem to
have as many issues as staff by a long way.
Has anybody heard an update on the EOC guidance that was
supposed to be forthcoming at the end of last year?
Or the ECU guidance?
It seems everybody's deadlines have been allowed to slip except
ours! I am sure we could all have done with that extra time.
Mel
Mel Landells
Head of Equality and Diversity
Secretariat
University of Plymouth
01752 233973
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Fehmeeda Riaz
Sent: 20 February 2007 11:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Gender Equality Duty and involving students
Hi there,
We are in the process of consulting with all key
stakeholders on our draft Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan. This
has included working with the Diversity Champion within the Students'
Union and a host of other groups and committees. Specific questions
were built in about gender equality in the 2006 employee opinion survey.
However, the policy and action plan so far seems to be
quite staff centred and focused. I was wondering whether colleagues had
come across the same problem or whether they had identified some
innovative ways of consulting and engaging with students?
I would value any thoughts!
Best wishes
Fehmeeda
Fehmeeda Riaz
HR Manager - Equality & Diversity
University of Westminster
HR Department
115 New Cavendish Street
London, W1W 6UW
Tel: 020-7911-5776
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