Race equality guidance

News

Posted on Monday 22 September 2025

As we begin the new academic year, we want to warmly welcome everyone back to our campus. We recognise that this semester starts amidst significant national and global challenges, with rhetoric around immigration and race creating difficult community relations and sometimes a hostile climate.

Our commitment to our core values is more important than ever. The University of York is, and must remain, a safe, inclusive and welcoming place for all. Our shared purpose is to create an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, is treated with dignity and respect. This means actively promoting positive attitudes toward equality and diversity, and standing firmly against any form of prejudice or discrimination.

We are committed to continuing to develop proactive initiatives that celebrate our diverse community and promote understanding. Everyone is encouraged to familiarise themselves with these resources and support our ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive campus community.

Our unwavering support

We want to reaffirm our unwavering support for our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic¹ students and staff. The University is committed to fostering an environment where you feel not only safe and welcome, but truly belong. We stand firmly against all forms of hatred and discrimination and will continue to advocate for a community built on respect, dignity, and inclusivity. We are here to support you, and your contributions are essential to the fabric of our University.

For our non Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students, this is a crucial moment for active allyship. Allyship isn’t just a passive feeling of support; it's about taking concrete action to foster a more inclusive and equitable community. This means listening with empathy, educating ourselves, and being willing to speak out against racism and prejudice whenever you encounter it, whether in a private conversation or a public space. Your commitment to standing with and supporting your Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic peers is essential to ensuring our University remains a place of safety and belonging for all.

Our shared responsibility for an inclusive community

In these challenging times, we recognise that our community members come from diverse backgrounds and may be experiencing heightened concerns about their safety and belonging.

Now, more than ever, we must reaffirm what lies at the heart of our university: our unwavering dedication to creating a space where everyone feels protected.

Together York and our community

Our community is built on mutual respect, compassion and intellectual curiosity. Everyone plays a role in fostering a culture where all members feel a sense of belonging and are valued for their unique contributions. We all have a responsibility to uphold these principles and to help hold one another accountable.

Underpinning this community approach is our Together York declaration. Our Community of Respect asks us to act according to our shared values and to hold each other to account: we tackle difficult questions and debate our differences sensitively, and we challenge inappropriate behaviour.

Abusive, threatening, or unacceptable behaviour is taken seriously. Our clear policies, such as the Dignity at Work and Study Policy, are in place to address bullying and harassment and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all.

We encourage staff and students to report a hate crime or incident if you witness or experience it. Criminal matters can be reported to the police.

You can report matters to the University using our Report + Support tool. If you report with contact details, an appropriate member of staff will get in touch to discuss what you would like to happen next and discuss the support available for you.

You can also choose to report anonymously. We will use this information to better understand the issues impacting our University community, to monitor and inform proactive and preventative work, as we do with reports that include contact details.

Campus Safety

Our Campus Safety team is being extra vigilant and working closely with North Yorkshire Police to respond to any reports or issues. You can get 24/7 access to the Campus Safety team via the SafeZone app.

Use the Emergency call in the University SafeZone app if your personal safety or that of others is - or has been - threatened.

SafeZone tracks your location if you request assistance so that responding officers can locate you. If you are outside of campus boundaries, you will be offered a connection to 999 for emergency services. SafeZone is free to download. Register using your University email address.

You can also contact Campus Safety directly on +44 (0)1904 32 3333 if it's urgent or +44 (0)1904 32 4444 for general security and safety questions. If you are on campus you can come to the Campus Safety Hub 24/7 at Market Square on Campus West for support. There are also Safe Havens available at each of the college main entrances with instructions on how to contact the Campus Safety team. This provides an immediate connection to Campus Safety and you are visible on CCTV when using this facility.

Take the opportunity to learn

We also encourage you to take advantage of the many resources available to help you learn more about different experiences and how to support one another. Our EDI webpages are a great place to start:

Let's educate ourselves provides materials on topics like race, privilege, and the positive impact of inclusion
Race Equity e-learning (login required) available to staff, covering racism and equality in UK Higher Education, different forms of racism, understanding privilege and toolkit for belonging
Our Active Bystander guide explains how to safely challenge problematic behaviour

Student support

If you have any concerns, there are many people across the University ready to provide help and support.

Get 24/7 support via the TalkCampus app - available in over 26 languages, TalkCampus is instant, free support for student mental health
Open Door has a team of mental health practitioners and Student Wellbeing Officers providing support
See information about support from various faith communities in York
The Student Support Team, based in the Student Hub, can help with practical matters of concern
York SU also provides support services and advice

Staff support

If you have any concerns, there are many people ready to provide help and support.

You have access to an advice line and a range of free resources if you need help, as part of our Employee Assistance scheme. Depending on the nature of your call, you will be put through to either a qualified counsellor or a legal advisor.
You may wish to contact the University Chaplaincy or various faith communities contacts for guidance and support.
Our colleagues at the Staff Race Equality Network (SREF) provide mutual support for each other. You can join SREF to receive more information by emailing equality@york.ac.uk.

External resources and support

City of Sanctuary:

Start Safe, Stay Safe app developed by Stop Hate UK for people in York and North Yorkshire to report street harassment, hate incidents, and hate crime.

Tell Mama supports victims of anti-Muslim hate and measures anti-Muslim attacks.

British Muslim Trust Helpline Services

The Teapot Collective provides accessible yoga sessions to support communities in York to heal from trauma.

Victim Support provides free and confidential advice after crime.

When you feel safe, you can support other people by speaking up and being an active bystander when witnessing inappropriate behaviour or language:

Being an active bystander - Pearn Kandola
A guide to bystander intervention - SPLC on Campus

Equality and Diversity Office
September 2025

¹ We are mindful of the complexity and importance of terminology around race and ethnicity, and that not everyone identifies with this term. Please see our guidance on using appropriate language when referring to race and ethnicity for further acknowledgement.