Appendix: Loughborough University: Six New Key Equality & Diversity Objectives Action Plan 2016 to 2019 Students:- Objectives Actions Responsibility Target Dates PIs Progress as at Dec 2016 1. Understanding the reasons for differences in attainment of good degrees by BME students compared to White UK students. a) Planning Dept. analysing Stats on Attainment & Outcomes. Planning Dept. 2017/2018 Report to COO & L&T Committee Data was analysed in 2016. The Student E&D Working Group examined the data and has designed one intervention (work around placement uptake for BME students). The BME student focus group ran in late 2015 contributed to this. Future BME student focus groups will also contribute. b) Set up/focus steering group of Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) students to discuss support and identify actions around improving degree outcomes. SD Adviser (E&D) & VP W&D (LSU). Student E&D Working Group 2017/2018 & Ongoing? Two focus groups ran by April 2016. Steering Group set up by May 2016 to twice a year. Representative of all years and all schools if possible. One Focus group ran in Dec 2015. Outcomes of the focus group were considered by the Student E&D Working Group in 2016 as part of designing an intervention around BME attainment. A Teaching Innovation Award application is being made by Line Nyhagen in SSPGS to look at the experience of BME students in the School (both in the classroom and outside) in Feb 2017. This will be a BME Student led project using focus groups of BME students from across three departments if the funding bid is successful. The outcomes will then be examined by the student E&D working group to consider for roll-out in the University as a whole. c) L&T Committee to identify actions to support improvement in this area. PVC (L&T) Dec 2016 & Ongoing Student Wellbeing Adviser Pilot has progressed with two Wellbeing Advisers appointed and trained. Pilot to begin in four academic schools in semester two of 2016-17. d) Analyse other stats such as Student Disciplinaries & Offences Planning Dept. Academic October 2016 & Reports to HRC & Student Disciplinary Committee. See summary in the background annual E&D Stats report. Report
in regards to possible over and under representation of particular characteristics Registrar & E&D Adviser. annually Significant factors highlighted. Actions to reduce identified. presented to Student E&D Working Group in Dec 2016 by E&D Adviser. (Discussion around Unconscious Bias (UB) & visibility of BME students. Decision: recommend UB training.) Presented to Student Disciplinary Committee in Feb 2017. e) Consider the issue of the participation of white male students from disadvantaged backgrounds and attainment. (White Working class males as identified within the HEI sector recently). Planning Dept. & Outreach & Widening Participation Section. 2017 Statistical analysis and report to HRC. Not due until 2017 – will be presented in compliance report in Feb 2018. 2. Developing a new policy and procedure for sexual harassment (Students) within the University. a) Develop a University Sexual Harassment Policy (Students) Director of Student Services (MA) & VP: W&D April 2016 & ongoing SH policy adopted by LSU & Council Monitoring in place Annual report on number of incidents reported to HRC Completed in 2016. New joint policy agreed by LSU & the University. Training completed for first contacts (47 staff trained) and procedure & support contacts in place. Webpages & Publicity through Designing posters (LDS) being developed etc. HEFCE funding bid submitted in Feb 2017 to raise awareness and change culture around sexual violence and to develop into areas such as bystander training, other forms of reporting and hosting a conference on the issues. b)Training for Staff & Students on SH policy Director of SS & SD Adviser (E&D) & VP: W&D April 2016 & ongoing Students know where can report. Awareness raised. Staff able to follow procedures and support victims. As above. Also raised through Respecting Diversity training. DSS delivered on training.
d) Design & Deliver sessions to Student Programme Reps about representation SD Adviser (E&D)& LSU: Education Officer Ongoing Annual sessions run Supporting the development of an E&D & Inclusion online course with The Voice in LSU. Completion date Feb 2017. e) Design & Deliver Induction to Wardens & Sub-wardens SD Adviser (E&D) & DoSS Ongoing Annual sessions run Completed- Delivered in September 2016. f) Work in partnership to & pilot targeted training to LSU Staff as required SD Adviser (E&D)& LSU: W&D Officer Summer 2016 Delivered as required Completed. Support provided for design of online course as well as delivery to some individual LSU staff in 2016. g) Recruitment & Selection Training Course Strengthened along with Guidance for Chairs of Interview Panels HR & SD 2016 Equality Act, Unconscious Bias & Transgender Issues incorporated in R&S Course & Guidance. Guidance for Chairs of Interview Panels amended. Completed in early 2016.