Single Equalities Scheme

The Single Equalities Scheme (SES) describes how the Arts University College at Bournemouth fulfils its moral, social and legal obligations to put equality at the heart of every area of activity. The SES is intended to ensure that every member of the University College’s community is treated fairly and respectfully regardless of the characteristics which may define their identity, such as age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

 

The purpose of the SES is:

  • To eliminate unlawful discrimination
  • To promote equality of opportunity
  • To promote good relations between all persons
  • To provide a working and learning environment founded on dignity, respect and equity

 

Equalities Statement
All members of the University College’s community including staff, students, visitors and contractors have a responsibility to treat others fairly and respectfully regardless of the characteristics which may define their identity, such as age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief or sexual orientation. The University College is responsible for providing a working and learning environment founded on dignity, respect and equity where discrimination of any kind is treated with the utmost seriousness in accordance with its Single Equalities Scheme (SES).

 

What are the University College’s responsibilities?
As an education provider, the University College has certain legal requirements under existing legislation to promote equality in the areas of disability, gender and race. These are often collectively referred to as the general duties to promote equality. To help to meet the general equality duties, the University College also has specific duties, such as the requirement to produce and publish an equality scheme. The University College’s Single Equalities Scheme (SES) sets out what the University College will do to meet the general and specific duties and extends them to include the other areas of equality – age, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

 

The University College’s key aims for Academic years 2009/12 are :

AIM 1 To progress Equality Impact Assessments, monitoring and consultation mechanisms

AIM 2 To promote equalities activities and raise awareness

AIM 3 To improve physical and electronic accessibility to the estate and systems

AIM 4 To examine the differential experience of staff members

AIM 5 To examine the differential experience of members of the student body

 

These aims have been divided into a list of actions which the University College hopes will further improve its performance in equalities management.

 

In particular these equality duties require the University College to communicate with interested parties, especially staff, students and members of the local community. We have established an Equalities Forum to permit the discussion of any issues relating to the experience of minority groups. The Equalities Forum meets twice a term and usually discusses one particular theme per meeting. For further information please follow the link to dedicated section of this site.

 

How do we monitor and review the SES?
The Equalities Committee is a senior committee of the University College and is chaired by the Director of Academic Services. It oversees the implementation of equality action plans and reports annually to the Corporation and Directors Team, chaired by the Principal and Chief Executive.

It ensures:

  • The collection and analysis of monitoring data on staff and students
  • The review of our equalities statement and scheme on an annual basis
  • The monitoring and evaluation of complaints to ensure that our practice continually improves
  • Collaboration with all stakeholders and other organisations informs our policy and practice

 

The Equalities Committee provides advice to Academic Board and the Senior Management Team across all equality issues including, Age, Disability, Gender, Race, Religion or Belief and Sexual Orientation. The Committee is responsible for supporting the planning, development and review of the SES and taking an overall responsibility for equalities issues. The Committee evaluates the University College’s policies and procedures with regard to their compliance with the SES.

 

Every year the University College reports on its equalities activity during the previous year. Prior to the introduction of the SES, which will be reported on following its first year in operation in April 2010, the University College reported separately on disability, gender and race equality. To access these reports please follow the links in the Downloads section on the right hand side of this page.