University of St Andrews:
Race Equality Charter Mark Student Survey
Why we are running this survey now?
The University of St Andrews is committed to addressing inequalities and creating an inclusive
culture and environment for all individuals to thrive, irrespective of their race or
ethnicity. We are participating in the ‘Race Equality Charter Mark’ trial, which is being rolled
out across the higher education sector facilitated by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU).
We want to hear your views on studying and/or working at the University of St Andrews and
whether you think there is anything we can do to further advance race equality.
Why take part?
The survey is open to all staff and all students. Participation is voluntary with the ability to
withdraw. This survey is part of a wider piece of work looking to understand the culture of
the University. Identifying areas for improvement is an important aspect of the University’s
duty to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; foster good relations; and
advance equality of opportunity.
The non-identifiable results of this survey will be included in our application to the charter,
and if successful, the application will then be published on our website. We hope you will see
your views and ideas reflected within the application and will see that we are acting upon the
survey results, which will be repeated every three years to continue to progress towards race
equality.
The format of the survey:
This survey is divided into three parts in an attempt to safeguard anonymity. Please answer
only those questions with which you are comfortable.
The survey will be open until 15th Feb 2015.
The survey has gained approval from the University Teaching and Research Ethics Committee
(UTREC). In accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, all data will be held
confidentially by Sukhi Bains the HR Equality & Diversity Officer as head of E&D for the
University. Non-identifiable data will be reported to the ‘Race Equality Charter Mark SelfAssessment Team’. At no point will the information you provide be shared in a way that
would allow you to be personally identified.
For more information about our involvement in the charter or questions about this research
that have not been answered by this information page, please contact Sukhi Bains (sb104@standrews.ac.uk). Race Equality Charter Mark details and the University members who are part
of the group can be found on webpage: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/race/charter
1
Section 1: Institutional specific
To what extent do you agree with these statements. If you are unsure of the answer, please
choose the ‘neither agree nor disagree’ option:
1a). The University is committed to creating an inclusive environment.
o Strongly disagree
o Disagree
o Slightly disagree
o Neither agree nor disagree
o Slightly agree
o Agree
o Strongly agree
1b). The University values diversity and recognises the benefits of having an ethnically diverse
staff and student population.
o Strongly disagree
o Disagree
o Slightly disagree
o Neither agree nor disagree
o Slightly agree
o Agree
o Strongly agree
1c). Individuals at the University are treated on their merits irrespective of their
cultural/national identity or ethnic background.
o Strongly disagree
o Disagree
o Slightly disagree
o Neither agree nor disagree
o Slightly agree
o Agree
o Strongly agree
1d). I am treated equally by my manager/lecturers/supervisor irrespective of my
cultural/national identity or ethnic background.
o Strongly disagree
o Disagree
o Slightly disagree
o Neither agree nor disagree
o Slightly agree
o Agree
o Strongly agree
2
1e). I am treated equally by my colleagues/fellow students irrespective of my cultural/national
identity or ethnic background.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
1f). If race-related incidents were reported to my institution, I believe appropriate action would
be taken.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
1g). Please use the space below to expand on any of your answers:
1h). If any, please state any other issues in relation to race equality specific to a School or Unit in
relation to race equality:
1i). If any, please state any other issues in relation to race equality within the University:
3
1j). If any, please state any other issues in relation to race equality within the area that you
travel to the University from:
1k). Being specific, please outline what, if anything, you would like the University’s Race Equality
Self-Assessment Team to do in relation to race equality:
Section 3: Student specific
3a). Campus culture and wellbeing
3a-1). I feel able to be myself without feeling that I have to act differently because of my
cultural/ national identity or ethnic background.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3a-2). I feel comfortable wearing physical evidence of my religious or belief identity in the
University.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
Not applicable N/A
4
3a-3). I feel safe in and around the University.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3a-4). Racially inappropriate behaviour, language or banter are not tolerated at the University.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3a-5). My fellow students treat me with respect irrespective of my cultural/national identity or
ethnic background.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3a-6). University staff across the campus treat me with respect irrespective of my cultural/
national identity or ethnic background.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
5
3a-7). The personal wellbeing and health support available is good.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3a-8). I would recommend the University to prospective students.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3a-9). Please use the space below to expand on campus culture and wellbeing in relation to race
equality and include details of what you would like the University to do to address issues raised:
3b). Course content
3b-1). My course curriculum considers the contributions of, impact on and opinions of a variety
of cultures.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
6
3b-2). The research and publications cited within my course include work from academics from a
diversity of ethnic backgrounds.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3b-5). I feel comfortable raising and discussing issues of race and ethnicity in academic
discussions.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3b-6). There is no expectation or pressure on me to contribute to discussions because of my
cultural/national identity or ethnic background.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3c). Academic support
3c-1). I am well supported by my course tutors and lecturers and am able to approach them with
any questions or queries.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
7
3c-2). My course tutors and lecturers encourage all students to participate and engage in
lectures and seminars, regardless of their ethnicity or race.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3c-3). My course tutors and lecturers have high expectations and aspirations for all students
regardless of their ethnicity or race.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3c-4). The assessment of my performance is not affected by my cultural/national identity or
ethnic background.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3c-5). The academic support available to me is good.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3c-6). Please use the space below to expand on academic support in relation to race equality
and include details of what you would like the University to do to address issues raised:
8
3c-7). If any, please use the space below to expand on academic support specific to a School in
relation to race equality and include details of what you would like the School to do to address
issues raised:
3d). Students’ Association
3d-1). The Students’ Association is an inclusive and safe environment.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3d-2). The events and activities organised by the Students’ Association do not tolerate racially
offensive or inappropriate behaviour.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3d-3). The Students’ Association takes steps to advance race equality and inclusivity through its
events and communications.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly Agree
9
3d-4). Student societies and sub-committees encourage everyone to join, irrespective of their
ethnicity or race.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3d-5). Please use the space below to expand on socialising and student societies in relation to
race equality and include details of what you would like the Students’ Association to do to
address issues raised:
3e). Athletic Union
3e-1). The Athletic Union is an inclusive and safe environment.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3e-2). Sport clubs encourage everyone to join, irrespective of their ethnicity or race.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3e-3). Please use the space below to expand on sports clubs in relation to race equality and
include details of what you would like the Athletic Union to do to address issues raised:
10
Student Survey Monitoring Details
So that we can understand your answers in more context we would be grateful if you could
provide us with some personal information below. The amount of information you provide us
with is entirely up to you; please only disclose information with which you are comfortable, but
the more you provide, the more useful it will be for us when analysing your survey response.
Where you do not wish to disclose information, please choose the ‘prefer not to say’ option, or
leave those questions blank.
All of the information you provide will be held in the strictest confidence and will only be seen by
the HR Equality & Diversity Officer and reported in a non-identifiable method to the ‘Race Equality
Charter Mark Self-Assessment Team’ within the University.
In which School(s) do you currently study?
At what level are you currently studying?
Undergraduate
Postgraduate taught
Postgraduate research
PhD
Other Institutional
If other please specify:
Prefer not to say
Please specify the title of your course:
Are you studying:
Full-time
Part-time
Prefer not to say
Please state your Nationality (leave blank if prefer not to say):
With which ethnic group do you most identify? (options are listed alphabetically):
Asian or Asian British
Bangladeshi
Chinese
Indian
Pakistani
Any other Asian ethnic background, (please specify)
Black or Black British
African
Caribbean
Any other Black background, (please specify)
11
Dual Heritage/Mixed
White and Asian
White and Black African
White and Black Caribbean
Any other mixed background, (please specify)
White
British
English
Gypsy or Traveller
Northern Irish
Irish
Scottish
Welsh
Any other white background, (please specify)
Prefer not to say
Please state your Gender/Sex (leave blank if prefer not to say):
Please state your Age (leave blank if prefer not to say):
Please state your Religion or Belief/non-belief:
Atheist
Baha’i
Buddhist
Christian, denomination:
Hindu
Humanist
Jain
Jewish
Muslim
Pagan
Sikh
Spiritual
Taoist
No religion
Other, please state:
Prefer not to say
Please state your Sexual Orientation?
Asexual
Bisexual
Gay man
Gay woman/lesbian
Heterosexual
Other, please state
Prefer not to say
12
Disability
Do you consider yourself to have a disability, impairment, health condition or learning difference
which has a substantial and long-term impact on your ability to carry out day to day activities?
Yes
No
Unsure
Prefer not to say
The University Race Equality Charter Mark Self Assessment Team would like to sincerely thank
you for your valued time in completing this survey.
Please post your completed survey to:
Sukhi Bains
HR E&D Officer
Human Resources
University of St Andrews
The Old Burgh School
Abbey Walk
St Andrews
Fife KY16 9LB
Alternatively please email the completed survey to:
sb104@st-andrews.ac.uk
13