It will continue to be the home for University Archives and the normal contact for legal services and access to information and privacy. On the other hand, the Secretariat will include units dealing with equity matters. The inclusion of the Equity Services in the Secretariat reflects the University's increased emphasis on people-related issues and its views on behaviour and conduct in this area. Placing Equity herewill help create a more cohesive approach to the fashioning of a safe and comfortable environment at the University. Within the University Secretariat, Equity Services will also be better placed to coordinate, assess and plan a University response to disruptive behaviour.
Disruptive behaviour is an increasingly serious problem on university campuses.
The term captures a range of actions from annoying pranks to behaviour that threatens the physical safety and security of others. The University should deal with such behaviour through planning, policy development, training, expertise and advice to the appropriate managers. Because disruptive behaviour occurs in a variety of settings on campus, the coordinating function in this area should fall within the University Secretariat.