University of York
Race Equality Policy
2. Vision and values statement
6. Implementation and monitoring
8. Responsibilities and accountabilities
11. Publishing and reviewing the Policy
The University of York was founded on principles of excellence, equality and opportunity for all in 1963. Today, equality of opportunity and inclusivity remain fundamental to the vision and values of the University, as set out in the University Plan.
This Race Equality Policy is a living document which sets out not only the legal requirements expected of the University as a public body, but also our vision of race equality at York. The accompanying Action Plan (under development) will outline key objectives which the University is committed to achieving.
2. Vision and values statement
The University of York values the diversity of its members and is committed to the creation of a positive environment which is fair, welcoming and inclusive and where:
- there is equality of opportunity for all members of the University
- the principle of race equality is embedded into all policies, practices and decision making
- everyone can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and flourish in an environment free from bullying, harassment and discrimination
- good relations are fostered and understanding between people of different backgrounds is promoted
- the legal obligations under the Equality Act are met
Since the first Race Equality Policy was developed in 2002 the University has made significant progress in incorporating race equality into key functions. It has striven to work towards a significant and lasting change in the culture of the University in which all members of the University community are able to participate and fulfil their potential.
Significant developments and achievements have been made around widening participation, internationalisation, the development of services to meet the needs of a diverse community, services and support for international students and academic and language support.
This new Policy and Action Plan build on the successful aspects of the previous policy and also highlights areas where more work is needed. It aims to encourage staff and students to consider how they can positively contribute to the advancement of race equality and good relations.
The Equality Act 2010 is the legislative source of this Race Equality Policy. The Act came into force on 1 October 2010 and replaced all previous equality legislation including the Race Relations (Amendment) Act. It protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society.
The Act introduces the concept of ‘protected characteristics’ which are the grounds upon which discrimination is unlawful. Race is one of the protected characteristics. It is unlawful for a person to discriminate on racial grounds against another person. Under the Equality Act, and where mentioned in this policy, race includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins.
The Equality Act places General and Specific Duties on the University, with regard to equality.
a) The general duty
In carrying out its functions , the University must have due regard to the need to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination , harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act;
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and
- foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
This means working towards:
- Removing or minimising disadvantage suffered by people due to their protected characteristics
- Taking steps to meet the needs of people with protected characteristics
- Encouraging people with protected characteristics to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is low
b) The specific duty
The University must prepare and publish one or more objectives to further one or more of the aims of the general duty. The development and publication of the Action Plan accompanying this Policy meets the requirement of this specific duty.
The University aims to:
- Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment across all areas of the University
- Support and enable staff and students from all backgrounds to achieve their potential
- Meet the needs of a diverse community through responsive and appropriate provision
- Challenge discrimination and harassment supported by its policies and procedures
- Establish strong links with the local community and community groups
- Provide appropriate training and raise awareness of the policy
The policy applies to all staff, students and visitors and operates in conjunction with other University policies, procedures and strategies.
6. Implementation and monitoring
Implementation of the Policy will be supported by an Action Plan and objectives. Progress will be reported annually to the Equality and Diversity Committee.
Progress on objectives identified through consultation or as a result of monitoring, or equality analysis (previously Equality Impact Assessment) will be incorporated into the Action Plan and reported on annually as detailed above.
Monitoring in relation to this policy will be carried out in accordance with legislative requirements and national guidelines.
All University functions will take account of this Race Equality Policy.The following University functions have specific responsibilities:
a) Governance:
The University is committed to best practice in all aspects of corporate governance. Its commitment to race equality is supported at the highest level of the University and underpins policy development and planning processes.
b) Student recruitment and admissions:
The University is committed to excellence in admissions and aims to provide a professional and fair service for applicants. The University aims not only to select students who have the ability and motivation to benefit from the programmes which they intend to follow and who will make a contribution to university life, but also to ensure that no prospective or existing student is treated less favourably on the grounds of race or on any basis which cannot be shown to be properly justifiable.
Undergraduate Admissions Policy
Postgraduate Admissions Policy and Procedures
Widening Participation: The University is committed to widening access to its courses and to increasing its socially and culturally diverse student population at York.
c) Learning and Teaching
The University values the diversity of backgrounds and experiences that staff and students bring to the academic environment of the University and is committed to meeting the needs of a diverse and changing student body.
The Learning and Teaching Strategy has an overarching ambition of achieving a 'consistent culture of quality' across the University, and a vision which is to provide the opportunity for all students to realise their full potential during their studies and in their later lives as leaders and role models in organisations and society.
d) Employment and Human Resources
The University is committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of equality and diversity in employment in which staff are treated equitably, and where they can realise their full potential.
e) Facilities and Services
All facilities and services provided by or in association with the University will operate in accordance with the Race Equality Policy. This includes catering facilities, accommodation services, sports provision, retail outlets, conferences and social activities. The University seeks to ensure through consultation with staff and students that its range of facilities and services take into account and meet the needs of a diverse community.
f) Research
The University expects the highest standards of research integrity to be adhered to by all members of the academic community. This expectation is outlined in the University’s Code of Good Practice for Research.
8. Responsibilities and accountabilities
All members of the University community are responsible for supporting and promoting the aims and spirit of the policy
For details of the specific responsibilities under this policy see Appendix A
Heads of Departments, senior members of staff, managers and supervisors are responsible for dealing with complaints under this policy with support from the Equality and Diversity Office and HR (staff issues) or the Academic Registrar (student issues).
Staff complaints: Staff who believe they have not been treated equitably in accordance with this policy should raise the matter with their line manager in the first instance. If the complaint is against their line manager, staff should raise it with their Head of Department. If the matter is not then resolved, the member of staff may make a complaint in accordance with the Grievance Procedure – the first step of which is to establish whether the complaint may be resolved informally.
Student complaints : Students who wish to make a complaint under this policy should seek to do so in accordance with the University complaints procedure. In the first instance resolution should be sought by taking the complaint to the member of the University most closely involved with the substance of the complaint.
No individual will be victimised for bringing a complaint under this policy. However, where a complaint is made maliciously and/or on knowingly false information, the complainant may be subject to disciplinary procedures.
10. Harassment : Staff or students who feel they are experiencing harassment or bullying in relation to their race or any other criteria can contact one of the Harassment Advisers who offer a first point of contact. Complaints of harassment should be made under the Code of Practice on Harassment
For sources of help on harassment see the Equality and Diversity Office Harassment and Bullying web pages.
11.Publishing and reviewing the policy
This policy will be formally adopted by University Council.
It will be disseminated to all staff, students, trade unions, and other relevant members of the University community, and student groups. Council has responsibility for ensuring that the Policy is consulted upon and communicated (in full or summary form) to all members of the University community.
The Equality and Diversity Committee will advise on the implementation of the policy and its impact on other relevant policies and activities within the University.
Council will ensure that , as far as reasonably practicable, monitoring and assessment data produced under this policy is published annually and that it is used to revise and improve this policy and other policies and strategies where appropriate.
This Policy was approved by the Equality and Diversity Committee at its meeting on 23 June 2011 and following consultation at the Staff Race Equality Forum on 13 June 2011.
Equality and Diversity Office
17 November 2011Specific responsibilities:
Under the Equality Act responsibility for meeting the general and specific duties within the University rests with the groups or individuals who are legally responsible for the University's acts or omissions;
Council and the Vice-Chancellor bear the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the University's compliance with all legislative requirements, including the general duty;
Committees and Boards will identify and assess the impact of their policies and strategies on students and staff from different ethnic racial groups, and build this assessment into their existing policy review arrangements;
The Equality and Diversity Committee will undertake an annual review of the Race Equality Policy to ensure that the objectives remain relevant and that progress is being made;
Heads of Departments, Centres and Units are responsible for implementing the policy in relation to the staff and students of their department. They will assess the impact of the policy on their department and ensure that their staff are aware of their responsibilities and are given appropriate training and support;
All staff will be expected to observe the general duty in their work, be aware of their specific responsibilities, and to keep up to date with legislation and guidance by attending training and information opportunities where required;
All members of the University are responsible for familiarising themselves with this Policy and its implementation.
The Equality and Diversity Office undertakes to publish, publicise and raise awareness of the policy, action plan and objectives and to provide advice, guidance and support.
Development of the action plan and objectives
An action plan to accompany the policy is currently being developed.
The Race Equality Action Plan will draw upon the findings of the University’s consultation on race equality which took place in May 2009. The consultation was designed to find out about current attitudes and practices in relation to race, explore areas of good practice and identify areas to focus further work.
The consultation enabled the University to gain a picture of the diversity of its staff and student population. Nearly 300 respondents contributed their views. The ethnic/racial diversity of respondents was high and a total of 30 different first and second languages were spoken. Members of the Staff Race Equality Forum were also consulted.
The consultation identified issues relating to cultural awareness, language support, events, support for racial/faith groups, recruitment initiatives, equality training, promoting dialogue between groups, harassment and meeting the needs of a diverse staff and student body as being the focus for further action.
The recommendations arising from the consultation have been incorporated into 9 objectives which will form the basis of the Action Plan.
Future objectives on race equality
Further key objectives on race equality arising from consultation, monitoring or equality analysis will be incorporated into the plan which will be updated on an annual basis.
For information about the University of York's work on Race Equality see our Race Equality web pages.
Updated by the Equality and Diversity Adviser
November 2011
Equality and Diversity Office,
Room D020, Sally Baldwin Buildings,
University of York, Heslington, York, UK. YO10 5DD
Tel: +44 1904 324680 email: equality@york.ac.uk