UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY DUAL ASSURANCE, 15 & 27 July 2011
15 July 2011:
Present:
Mark Overton (Management Lead), Lisa Pacey-Wonnacott (HR
Business Partner) and Helen Booker (Equality & Diversity
Administrator)
DISCUSSED:
1.
Actions arising from last meeting (21 April 2011) not covered elsewhere on
agenda:-
INSIGHT programme: LP and HB met with Sue Lawrie to discuss. This
programme has been extremely popular with students, however
unfortunately despite some very high profile staff getting involved very few
numbers of staff have volunteered.
Action: HB to include another advert for INSIGHT in the next E&D
Newsletter to raise awareness about the programme.
-
E&D Risk Review update: The achievement of Two Ticks and the definition
of the risk were added to the Risk Review, along with a comment about the
possible impact of the fees change.
-
Strengthening the relationship between E&D and Internationalisation: LP
and HB met with Sue Lawrie, International Student Support (ISSO), and
Anna Morley, International Office E&D Coordinator, for initial discussions
about events organised by ISSO; issues around marketing in response to
concerns with the recent International Exeter film; Welcome Week; and
INSIGHT (see above). It was agreed to keep in regular contact via email
and for E&D to help publicise ISSO’s events.
All other actions arising are covered on the agenda.
2.
Single Equality Scheme
The Single Equality Scheme (SES) has been discussed at the Equality Groups
and the Advisory Group, with the Gender Equality Group (GEG) providing the
most feedback. GEG asked whether it was possible for the staff gender data to
be further broken down to Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer and
Lecturer level to enable monitoring of potential for future progression.
Action: DC to consider this feedback when preparing data for the next E&D
Annual Report.
27 July 2011:
Present:
Mark Overton (Management Lead), Bettina Rigg (Lay Lead), Lisa
Pacey-Wonnacott (HR Business Partner) and Helen Booker (Equality
& Diversity Administrator)
DISCUSSED:
3.
Single Equality Scheme
The feedback from the GEG was discussed.
BR queried the section on Equality Impact Assessments which had been
written prior to EIAs no longer being a legal requirement. Subject to this
section being amended to clarify the University’s position on EIAs, the Single
Equality Scheme was agreed.
Action: LP/HB to reword EIA section to clarify the University’s position on
EIAs.
4.
Consultation activity and Equality Group structure
Three of the Equality Groups had agreed to expand their Terms of
Reference to include additional relevant protected characteristics. The Race
Equality Group will now also cover issues around race and religion or belief;
the Gender Equality Group will also cover issues around sex, pregnancy
and maternity, and marriage and civil partnership; and the LGBT Equality
group will cover issues around sexual orientation, gender reassignment,
and marriage and civil partnership. In addition to these existing Groups, an
Age Equality Group will be set up for 2011/12.
A new meeting structure is to be introduced for 2011/12 with the E&D
Advisory Group meeting being held immediately before the Equality Group
meetings (which will then be held simultaneously). The E&D Advisory Group
will then reconvene immediately following Equality Group meetings at which
point the Chairs of those Groups will have an opportunity to report back
directly to the Advisory Group any key issues arising from their respective
Groups. It is hoped that this new structure will improve communication
between the Groups.
5.
E&D Development Day
Plans for the upcoming E&D Development Day were discussed and it was
felt that a follow up from the day to SMG would be very beneficial,
particularly to highlight the business imperative of E&D.
Action: MO to update SMG on outcomes of E&D Development Day.
6.
E&D Action Plan update
It was decided to discuss the Action Plan at the next meeting once the
priorities and targets for 2011/12 have been agreed.
Actions: HB to add to the agenda for the next meeting.
DC to draft the Action Plan for 2011/12 to discuss at the next meeting.
7.
Notes of last meeting (21 April 2011) and actions arising
MO has spoken to Shaun Curtis about the International Exeter and about
the image it presents, and MO will speak to Stuart Franklin about branding
issues and the image Exeter presents.
Action: MO to speak to Stuart Franklin about branding issues in publicity,
particularly in relation to E&D issues.
8.
Any other business
Exeter Respect: Respect went really well and was larger than ever this year.
It was felt that it would be a positive move for the University to have an even
greater presence at the event next year.
AGREED ACTIONS:

HB to include another advert for INSIGHT in the next E&D Newsletter to raise
awareness about the programme.

DC to consider feedback regarding the gender breakdown of staff when
preparing data for the next E&D Annual Report.

LP/HB to reword EIA section on the Single Equality Scheme to clarify the
University’s position on EIAs.

MO to update SMG on outcomes of E&D Development Day.

HB to add the Action Plan to the agenda for the next meeting and DC to draft
the Action Plan for 2011/12 to discuss at the next meeting.

MO to speak to Stuart Franklin about branding issues in publicity, particularly in
relation to E&D issues.
Helen Booker
Equality and Diversity Administrator