Responsibilities
The University has a formal governance structure for equality and diversity. Certain management functions and individuals have additional responsibilities under this Policy as set out below.
Board of Governors
- to ensure that the University fulfils its legal responsibilities;
- through a rigorous process of scrutiny to ensure that the Diversity and Equality Policy meets the requirement of the legislation;
- to effectively monitor the implementation of the Policy and associated action plan;
- to ensure that those with responsibility under the Act assume their role.
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The Vice Chancellor
- to take responsibility for the operation of the Policy.
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Executive Team
- to provide active visible sponsorship and leadership;
- to ensure that related aims and objectives of the Equality and Diversity Policy are effectively implemented;
- to ensure that all staff are fully aware of their individual and collective responsibility and accountability;
- to provide adequate training, coaching and mentoring to ensure that staff have the skills, knowledge and competences required to meet the university’s legal obligations and strategic intent in relation to equality and diversity;
- to ensure that allegations of discrimination are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Specifically the Pro Vice Chancellor (Students and Quality) is responsible for ensuring that the University works to widen participation in higher education and provides appropriate support to students, as well as reviewing the Equality and Diversity Policy in consultation with the Equality and Diversity Manager, Head of Human Resources and the Equality and Diversity Committee, and for drawing up an annual action plan.
The Head of Human Resources is responsible for raising staff awareness of their responsibilities under equality and diversity legislation.
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Faculty and Operational Management
At Faculty level the responsibilities are defined in terms of operation of the Faculty and management of its staff. As such, each faculty or support groups must:
- take ownership of equality and diversity by implementing the policy and its related action plan;
- identify and support the Diversity Leads within their faculty/department who are responsible for co-ordinating and embedding diversity at local level;
- ensure that that their staff understand equality and diversity issues and how to report any perceived discrimination or unequal opportunity, and that all training and development opportunities are allocated objectively, fairly and without discrimination;
- provide an effective mechanism for communicating and disseminating diversity and equality related key issues, policies and actions within the Faculty/Departments;
- be responsible for proactively communicating our unequivocal commitment to the policy and practice of equality and diversity with partner organisations, contractors, students and employers providing work placements to students;
- set up effective systems of quality and equality monitoring to ensure that complaints are tracked, and action on equality and valuing diversity is continuously evaluated and improved.
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Staff
To comply with the Equality and Diversity Policy, each member of staff must:
- practically demonstrate the core principles of equality and diversity by treating others with dignity and respect;
- effectively identify and challenge discriminatory behaviour and attitudes;
- actively participate and contribute to creating an inclusive learning environment that values difference;
- ensure that equality and diversity is effectively integrated into the professional practice of teaching, research and service delivery;
- maintain an awareness of equality legislation by attending staff development programmes;
- speak out and report if they witness or are a victim of any form of discrimination, bullying, unfair treatment or harassment.
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Students
In order to comply with the University Equality and Diversity Policy students must:
- take equal responsibility in ensuring that we create a learning environment where people are valued and respected;
- effectively challenge any form of discrimination;
- express opinions constructively with sensitivity and respect;
- speak out, or report it, if they witness or are aware of discrimination, bullying, unfair treatment or harassment and not assume that it is someone else's responsibility.
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Service Providers
Service providers working in University premises are expected to operate within the law and the terms of the University's Equality and Diversity Policy. A copy of the short form of the Equality and Diversity Policy statement will be handed to all contractors.
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