Hi Rob
Direct discrimination doesn't allow for justification so this argument isn't open to them I'm afraid..
Best wishes,
Fiona
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-----Original Message-----
From: "Kemp, Robert (Human Resources)" <[log in to unmask]>
Sender: HE Administrators equal opportunities list <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:59:47
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: HE Administrators equal opportunities list <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: student diversity on PG course
Thanks Fiona
I agree. However, the department says that the importance of a diverse student population to the pedagogical educational running of the course could be legitimate grounds for limiting the proportion of students of a single nationality on the course.
Does anyone know whether this can be objective justification?
Best regards,
Rob Kemp
Manager - Wellbeing, Equality & Diversity
Human Resources Division
Lancaster University
Phone: 01524 510624
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Fiona McPhail
Sent: 22 December 2011 10:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: student diversity on PG course
Hi Rob
This would be setting a quota which you cannot do and from that you would find yourself with the issue of direct discrimination because of nationality.
What you can suggest to this department is that they look at how they are promoting the course to see whether there is anything in the marketing materials which could deter particular groups or anything in the selection criteria which could unjustifiably exclude certain groups.
They can also undertake positive action measures to promote the course to under represented groups to try and increase the spread of applications.
Best wishes,
Fiona
------Original Message------
From: Rob Kemp
Sender: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
To: [log in to unmask]
ReplyTo: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
Sent: Dec 22, 2011 10:08 AM
Subject: student diversity on PG course
Dear all
If an academic department is receiving applications for its postgraduate courses.
And on one of those courses, 95% of applicants are of a single nationality.
Is it legitimate for the department to put an upper limit on the number of students accepted for the single nationality?
The aim being to acheive more of a diverse mix of students.
I realise that maybe many of you are likley to be away for the festivities now.
All the best,
Rob Kemp
Lancaster University
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