Print

Equality and Diversity Committee (4th June 2014)

Minutes

Switch to Agenda

Name of Committee Equality and Diversity Committee
Date and time 4th June 2014, 13:00
Place Students' Union (SUSU)
Present Members
(voting)		 Vice President Welfare Isabella Camilleri
Alison Mcmanus
Equality & Diversity Officer Thomas Gleeson
LGBT Coordinator David Wikramaratna
Vice President Student Communities Emily Harrison
Gender Identity Coordinator Emma White
Coordinator without Portfolio Ed Baird
Race & Ethnicity Coordinator Chibeza Mumbi
Communications Coordinator Sam Bailey
Absent with Apologies Zoe Hart
University Equality & Diversity Officer Alexander Melhuish
Absent without Apologies Faith & Religion Coordinator Ashal Mehmud
Coordinator without Portfolio Thomas Coole

Actions and Decisions

TypeDescriptionWho
Action Equality Impact Toolkit to be bought to the first E&D Committee meeting of the new academic year. Zoe Hart
Action Contact relevant people with regards to the implementation of changes from Trans Inclusion Policy agreed. Thomas Gleeson
Action Contact Union Films with regards to introducing Deaf Sub-Titling. This responsibility was given to the incoming Disabilities Officer Emma White
Action Decide on whether to keep Age Coordinator position Sam Bailey
Action Compile list of those to attend Trans Gender Training Emma White
1. Welcome/Apologies

Apologies received as recorded above.

2. Minutes of previous meeting - 1 May 2014 (Previous minutes can be found here http://www.susu.org/running-your-union/minutes/944)

The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record with the exception of the change to role of David Wikramaratna to LGBT Coordinator.

Action Equality Impact Toolkit to be bought to the first E&D Committee meeting of the new academic year. (Zoe Hart)
3. Recent Activity

IDAHOT

Activities of the art installation and the showing of the film, Dallas Buyers Club were well attended and received.  The Committee spoke about the film showing and thought that attendance could have been better if the date did not clash with exams.  Also the fact that Union Films had showed the film a few weeks previously may have affected attendance.

The Committee thought that it may be better because of the annual timing of this event to put on a larger relevant event into LGBT month celebrations with a smaller event in IDAHOT week.

AGM - Trans Inclusion Policy

Tom advised that the Policy passed at the AGM.  With regards to the toilets, changes will be made to SUSU buildings first with the aim of getting the University on board with their buildings, but it may be that we suggest having changes to new buildings only.  The University and SUSU will be asked to change their titles on forms.

Leadership - trans in elections

Tom explained that this policy (http://www.susu.org/downloads/democracy/papers/9_949_1401900148.pdf) will be taken to the last Union Council on 9 June.  Members discussed the reasons for this policy and the impact it would have. 

 
Deaf Sub-titling
Emma updated that that she has not been able to get hold of Union Films with regard to Deaf Sub-titling in the Cinema.  Committees have now changed over so contact will be made again with the new committee. 
 

 

Action Contact relevant people with regards to the implementation of changes from Trans Inclusion Policy agreed. (Thomas Gleeson)
Action Contact Union Films with regards to introducing Deaf Sub-Titling. This responsibility was given to the incoming Disabilities Officer (Emma White)
4. Pre-sessional Students' Welcome Magazine

Sam explained that he is writing content for an Equality section in the Pre-Sessional Student Welcome Magazine.  Members discussed the content to be included and Sam will consider this when pulling the article together. 

5. Co-ordinator Elections

Race & Ethnicity Coordinator
Chibeza Mumbi - Elected

Faith & Religion Coordinator

No nominations received

Age Coordinator

No nominations received

Gender Identity

No nominations received

Coordinator without Porfolio x 2

Edmund Baird - Elected

1 Position  Vacant

Communications Coordinator

Tom Gleeson - Elected

Students with Disabilities Coordinator

Orla Sheehan - Elected

David - Wikramaratna    

LGBT Coordinator

David Wikramaratna  - Elected

 

 

 

Action Decide on whether to keep Age Coordinator position (Sam Bailey)
6. Future Plans

The Committee took some time to discuss particular events that they would like to concentrate on next year.

Black History Month

  • Exhibition on black artists
  • Article in the Edge
  • Article in Wessex Scene to promote diversity
  • Black local Councillor to give a talk

International Womens Day/Week

  • Boards in Union of successful women.

Improving Participation

  • Contentrate on Race & Ethnicity - involvement in elections and employability
7. Any Other Business

Emma advised that she has been liaising with the Training Manager who is currently looking into Trans Gender Training.  Emma will think of attendees who require this training.    It was advised that diversity training will be compulsory for Student Groups.

Action Compile list of those to attend Trans Gender Training (Emma White)

Key: P (Papers Provided), PF (Papers to Follow)