Consultation and involvement

The University is working hard to increase the involvement and engagement of the University community through a range of initiatives such as the Access Forum, the Dignity and Respect Group and the International Minority Ethnic Staff Forum. The Working Well staff opinion survey 2009-10 has been followed up with another staff survey in 2012 and equality analysis of the Student Satisfaction Surveys continues.

The University uses information gathered as a result of engagement to improve the services it delivers. A recent example of this is the Mature Students Project, the findings from which have been used to enhance the experiences of mature students. In addition, in 2011-12, the University undertook a ‘Caring for the Carers’ project whose aim was to identify and seek to overcome the barriers faced by students and staff who are juggling caring responsibilities with their studies or work and make recommendations to improve provision/information. The project's final report will be published by the end of February 2013.

The University also seeks to adopt good equality and diversity practice and, to assist this, actively participates in the Higher Education Equal Opportunities Network and the Eastern Region Forum of Equality Practitioners and practitioners regularly seek advice from, and attend events run by, the Equality Challenge Unit. In addition, the University shares good equality practice with its partner institutions by being represented on their Equality and Diversity committees, sharing minutes of its Equality and Diversity Committee meetings and providing advice and guidance when asked.

International and Minority Ethnic Staff Forum

Terms of Reference (.doc)
Minutes of meeting 27 February 2008 (.doc)
Minutes of meeting 23 October 2008 (.doc)
Minutes of meeting 27 January 2011 (.doc)
Minutes of meeting 20 April 2011 (.doc)

Equality and Diversity Committee

The Equality and Diversity Committee agree policy in relation to equality and diversity issues, consulting students, staff and external interest groups as appropriate, and make recommendations to Senate and to Council as appropriate.

For the current membership and terms of reference follow the link:
Membership of Equality and Diversity Committee (Please follow the links)