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Hi Sarah We don't have either an R&B policy (yet) or a dress code but I know that some universities accommodate the security issue by providing that such checks will be made by female staff. It's also a potential issue for identity checks on entering examination rooms, of course. Kind regards Felicity Dr Felicity Cooke Head of Equality and Diversity University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD Tel: +44 (0)1865 289821 Email: [log in to unmask] Sarah Guise <[log in to unmask]> Sent by: HE Administrators equal opportunities list <[log in to unmask]> 20/11/09 15:10 Please respond to HE Administrators equal opportunities list <[log in to unmask]> To [log in to unmask] cc Subject Dress codes for students - niqab/burqa Dear All, It's that time of the week and I'm just (re)drafting a new religious equality policy for students (we already have one but it mainly looks at staffing issues). I considering the section on religious dress. I know that Imperial has a dress code that, amongst other things, prohibits clothing that obscures the face. Our (male) security staff are aware of this policy and feel that they too should be able to match student ID (which shows the face) with the person carrying it. Obviously this would apply to motorbike helmets and the like as much as to Islamic dress, but it would need to be applied consistently. If a female student wearing a full or half face veil was asked to remove it by male security guards we could be in a difficult, if rare, situation. Do other universities have a policy like Imperial's? Do you think it is a 'proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim'? I am not aware of any historical issues with security on our campus, but that's not to say it couldn't be an issue in the future. What I am quite clear about is that secularism cannot be used as an argument for prohibiting the burqa or niqab but the security concerns may be appropriate. UCL's has an ambitious internationalisation agenda so it is really important we get this right sooner rather than later. Best wishes, Sarah Sarah Guise Equalities and Diversity Coordinator (acting) HR Policy and Planning 1st Floor 90 Tottenham Court Road but all mail to: HR UCL Gower Street London WC1E 6BT Tel: 0207 679 9762 Internal 09762 Email: [log in to unmask] Web: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/equalities/ "When distant minds come together Cherries blossom" Are you interested in meeting other LGBT staff at UCL? If so then join our LGBT staff social network. For more information visit http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/equalities/lgbt_group.php