Attendees
International and Minority Ethnic Staff Forum
Thursday 27 January 2011
1.00pm – 2.00pm
DRAFT MINUTES
Apologies
Kaiyin Low – Co-ordinator
Karen Stephenson
Karen Bush
Kate Dunton
Nelson Fernandez
Miriam Metliss
Paula Nevard
Nicola Farnworth
Marilyn Shanks
Nilufer Demirkan-Jones
Gladis Garcia
Michelle Paul
Ramona Bacon
AGENDA ITEMS
Minutes from last meeting 24 May 2010: At this meeting Martin Henson
talked about his role and his work on the International Strategic Agenda.
Kaiyin Low sent out the notes to I&MESF members in May and then sent
comments from I&MESF members back to Martin. If you would like copies of
these notes, please contact Karen Stephenson at kasteph@essex.ac.uk.
Terms of Reference : The terms of reference were circulated. (They are
also attached to these Minutes.) Kaiyin reminded the members that the
Forum is a safe space to raise Equality and Diversity issues.
Recommendations, comments and proposals arising from discussion by the
Forum should be sent forward for consideration by the EADC or other
University committees or agencies as appropriate.
Update on the Single Equality Act 2010
Karen Bush from Equality and Diversity Essex presented some of the main
points relating to the new Single Equality Act 2010. (Guidance on the main
changes are attached to these minutes.) Karen B pointed out that when the
Single Equality Policy has been reviewed by the Equality and Diversity
Committee on 8 February there will be a two-month consultation period. She
asked if the Forum would like to take part in this and the meeting agreed that
the consultation could take the form of workshop event. (To be arranged).
Karen B also circulated some Dignity and Respect cards which she designed
in collaboration with the Dignity and Respect Group. This is a communitydriven group and evolved as part of the Vice Chancellor’s Dignity and
Respect agenda. These cards contain staff and student comments on what
they think Dignity and Respect means. They are designed to give a positive
message to the campus community, visitors, outside contractors, etc., to the
University about how we expect people to treat each other - the ‘University of
Essex Way’.
They are being disseminated throughout the University and it is hoped a
Dignity and Respect Charter will be ready soon, again designed to encourage
staff and students to treat each other in a dignified and respectful manner.
The card also gives a definition of harassment and directs people to staff in
Equality and Diversity to find out more about their services.
Action
Sharing information and reporting racist incidents
Kaiyin suggested that members should share information with regard to
harassment and racist incidents
The meeting felt that there should be more awareness-raising throughout the
University about the issue of harassment, who to contact and how to prevent
it. Karen B and Karen S pointed out that there are several agencies on
campus who can deal with these issues, the Harassment Advisory Network
for staff and students, Student Support, Student Advice Centre, HR Officers,
etc.
The Harassment Advisory Network has recently been under review and as a
result, will be re-launched with new wide-ranging publicity in the near future.
Hopefully this will help with the raising awareness issue.
The meeting also felt that there is a gap in support after someone has been
harassed. It was suggested that each department/section could have an
Equality and Diversity mentor to support anyone who feels they are being
harassed or have been victims of harassment. The problem here is one of
consistency and it was pointed out that many people would not want to
confide in another member of their department.
Nilufer Dimerkan-Jones explained that there is a mentoring system for each
new member of staff in the Department of Language and Linguistics. She felt
that this system works well. .
International Language Café
Last year an I&MESF member mooted the idea of an International Language
Café. This was very popular with the meeting. It was suggested that this
could be part of Learning and Development’s ‘Learning at Work’ day agenda.
International Language Café
Last year Essex Futures delegates organised a reception for International
Staff. It was suggested that this could be an annual event and should be
taken forward. Karen Bush said that the Equality and Diversity unit would
fund the cost of refreshments. Perhaps this could be done in collaboration
with Learning and Development. HR may be able to help with putting
invitations in new staff packs.
As the meeting had overrun and had to finish, there was no time to arrange a
working group to action the above points. They will be discussed again at the
next meeting.
Nomination and election of I&MESF Co-ordinator
This item was carried forward to the next meeting.
Any other business – No other business.
Date of next meeting : Tuesday 22 March 1.00 – 2.00 pm Room 4SA.6.19
There being no other business the meeting closed at 2.15 pm