Racial prejudice refers to the holding of negative attitudes about other people because of their race, descent, or national or ethnic origin. Racial discrimination is defined as the negative differential treatment of individuals or groups on the basis of their race, descent, or national or ethnic origin. The Mission and Goals of the University of Queensland provide the basis for all University activities. The pursuit of excellence and the maintenance of the highest intellectual and ethical standards in all disciplines figure prominently in the Mission and Goals. Barriers to the achievement of the Mission and Goals need to be identified and overcome if the University is to fulfil its obligation to ensure that these demanding standards are met.
Racism is viewed as one such obstacle.
The importance of developing strategies that minimise the influence of racism is particularly evident when considering goals that relate to student recruitment and retention, equity and other personnel issues. The primary roles of the committee are educational and preventative. Complainants will initially be advised that they may be able to take action under Commonwealth or Queensland anti-discrimination laws in respect of a complaint, but will be encouraged to adopt an informal approach in the first instance. Initial approaches may be made either orally or in writing. The Committee will act in such a manner as to preserve and give appropriate recognition to the rights and concerns both of complainants and of persons against whom complaints are directed.