Hi All,
We are putting plans in place to collect these data for students.  There are a number of barriers which I can summarise (with bias and some frustration) as:

1.  They are not legally required  - my counter argument is that not collecting this data devalues people and allows them to be viewed as less important than disabled, ethnic minorities, those of different sex (formerly gender)

2. It will be expensive and UCAS doesn't ask - see above and who is lobbying UCAS?

3. Few other HEIs collect this - see above and do we aim to be 'mediocre' or to take a lead??

4.  Students won't want to answer such personal questions - perhaps not, so give them a 'rather not say 'option. - this approach often reflects the middle class, heterosexual bias of colleagues who don't want to answer these questions

Not sure if this helps...but I have spent a fair amount of time on this issue recently

Chris
Chris Bradshaw
Equality and Diversity Coordinator
University of the West of Scotland
Almada Street
Hamilton
ML3 OJB
Tel: 01698  283100 ext 8273
Mob: 07872 422446
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
________________________________________
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Natalie Clark [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 April 2011 14:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Recording Student Sexual Orientation, Religious Belief and Dependants

Hello,

We currently do not record this information, but I would be very interested to know who does and for what purpose.

Thanks,

Natalie

Equality and Student Experience Officer
University of Chester

Tel: 01244 512234

________________________________________
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Kirsteen Coupar [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 April 2011 13:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Recording Student Sexual Orientation, Religious Belief and Dependants

I would very much like to receive this information also.
Kirsteen

Kirsteen Coupar
Equality and Diversity Manager
Flat 40b Catherine of Aragon Court
Southwood Site
Avery Hill Campus
University of Greenwich

Tel 020 8331 8817


________________________________
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mooney, Darren [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 April 2011 13:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Recording Student Sexual Orientation, Religious Belief and Dependants

Dear All

I am putting forward a proposal to begin recording the Sexual Orientation, Religious Belief and Dependant status of students, hopefully to have in place for September 2011. I have secured approval from the Student Administration and Support department who are responsible for the student enrolment, and partial support from the academic secretary, but they would like to know who else is collecting such data before moving forward.

If you are, would you mind letting me know:


•         What you record

•         When you record it in the student cycle

•         When you started recording it

•         Any problems you have encountered

•         Disclosure rates

Regards

Darren


Darren Mooney BSc, MA
Diversity & Equality Officer
University of Liverpool
Liverpool

T: 0151 795 5975
E: [log in to unmask]
W: http://www.liv.ac.uk/hr/diversity_equality/

BME Staff Network: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Disabled Staff Network: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
LGBT Staff Network: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>


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