At Portsmouth we consult and involve both staff and students through a
number of mechanisms.
We have a BME Staff Forum, LGBT Staff Forum and Staff Disability Forum
and are in the process of setting up a forum for carers. The forums meet
regularly and are run by staff from minority groups for staff from
minority groups. Attendance is supported by the University and, in the
case of the LGBT Forum, external venues are funded to enable staff who
are not out to feel comfortable in attending meetings. I use the forums
on a regular basis for feedback on policy development etc. and am in
regular contact with the facilitator of each group so that I can deal
with any issues they want addressed. The forums also present a report on
issues of concern to our Equality and Diversity Committee once a year.
As part of our Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) process we have
Assessment Panels made up of staff and students from equality target
groups who check every EIA and give feedback to policy owners. These
panels have proved particularly useful in challenging existing practice
around policy development and encouraging more 'joined up' thinking.
Panels meet when there are enough EIAs which tends to be bi-monthly at
present.
Regards
Alex
Alexandra Muir-Mackenzie
Equality & Diversity Adviser
University of Portsmouth
Tel: (023) 9284 5039
>>> Helen Tatch <[log in to unmask]> 08/10/2007 11:59 >>>
Hi all
Here at Brighton we are looking into our structures for gathering
feedback
and enabling/encouraging participation by staff & students on E&D
issues.
Would anyone be able to let me know what you do at your institutions?
In
particular I am interested in finding out about any consultative groups
or
discussion forums that you may have. eg:
- do you have any such group (or groups)?
- how is it structured?
- who is involved?
- what is its purpose?
- how often do they meet (or how do they communicate/provide feedback
through other routes)?
- What works and what doesn't?
- Anything else?
Many thanks
Helen
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