Equality and Diversity Committee (1st October 2014)

Zoe explained the history to the Improving Participation project which last year was mainly election focussed and evolved in receiving improvement in nominations from different cohorts of under represented groups.   A report was produced on reasons for participation in elections to help guide this ongoing project.   Zoe asked for E&D Committee involvement in the next steps with this project. 

Beckie explained that NUS provide an election coaching programme and is keen to take ideas from this initiative and create an adapted version to encourage nominations.  The mentors would be current and past sabbs and student leaders and would be paired with a nominee to help provide moral support with preparation for nomination and during the election period.

Zoe advised that she has gained more understanding of what an Equality Impact Assessment is at SU2014 conference.  An easy fix would be to include it into a Risk Assessment but would not have enough of an impact.  To be effective it needs to have measures to cover all groups, eg race, religion, etc., and if done correctly it would make a huge impact. 

Zoe therefore suggested that to get support to produce an Equality Impact Assesment for all student groups  E&D committee should take a proposed policy to Union Council.  Once agreed then a working group (lead by E&D) should be set up to produce a plan and a timescale of how to approach this project. 

A discussion took place and members agreed with this proposal. 

Sam asked that for the next E&D Committee meeting for all members to come up with one aim relevant to their area to achieve this year. 

Sam's are:-

• Continue with Improving Participation Project
• Trans Inclusion Policy
• Hearing impaired subtitles
• Improve communication with studetn groups to more widely publicise events that celebrate diversity.

Beckie suggested that coordinators be aware of events that student groups are planning for the Committee to support.  Sam said to make it fairer he wil split the student groups and assign them to all coordinators for them to contact.  Student groups events will then be added to the E&D Committee calendar.

Anjit suggested inviting Zone coordinators to the next meeting.

Trans Inclusion Project
Sam advised that a proposal to the university for gender neutral toilets and removal of gender field on university databases will be produced.  As SUSU buildings cannot be changed without approval from the University  the proposal will be sent to Kamiljit Poonian, Diversity Manager at the University for the agreement of Jeremy Howells who has overall resonsible for diversity at the University.  The aim is to have permission for changes to the toilets in SUSU buildings as a start and for this to be spread across the university buildings in time. 

 Subtitles for the hearing impaired

Orla advised that she has been speaking with Union Films with regards to the Subtitles for films. The options are:

• £290 for a new release per screening and would charge £3 ticket to cover the cost. 
• £40 for a dvd through a cinema and the the cost of hiring the cinema. 

Sam advised that October is Black History month and has received a list of events for the month from African Caribean Society (ACS).  Sam and Chibeza are arranging a display at the end of October.  Ideas are to have big cardboard cut-outs of inspiring black people.  It was suggested to have a information flap on the cut-out about the person or to have a competition on "who said this quote?". 

Beckie advised that Inclusivity training has been created and given so far at Freshers' Rep Training, Creative Industries Induction Week and Club Committee Training.  They have been tailored to each group and relate to SUSU and are interactive sessions.

Beckie invited E&D Committee to attend a session so that they can see what is included and suggest anything to include for future training sessions.

Sam advised that he used the article written for the International Welcome Magazine for Freshers' Mag.  He asked for suggestions of changes for E&D article for future publications.  Emily suggested it needs more diversity included with the article.

Zoe advised that in the new strategic plan new values have been agreed.  They are:  Student led, brave, respected and empowering.  SUSU's vision is to be the top SU in the country.   Zoe added that inclusivity and diversity are missing from the values.  A discussion took place about this and the committee thought that 'inclusive' as an added value should be included.

National coming out day is on Saturday 11 October but nothing has been planned.

Sam asked for suggestions of other events.  World Sight Day on 9 October and Diwali on 23 October were suggested.  Anjit will find out what Hindu Society and India Society are planning for Diwali.

Transgender Remembrance is on 20 November.  Events arranged are a vigil in the day outside SUSU will be arranged and Chrysalis, a charity supporting transitioning transgender (transsexual) adults will be hosting a meeting.

Orla advised that other unis have an idea facebook forum for input with no requirement to attend a meeting. 

The coordinator elections have been postponed so that all zone coordinator positions can be advertised.

Accessibility and Disabilities

Ed suggested that to fit in with the work that E&D will do for the Equality Impact Assessment for E&D to also produce a draft policy for a timetable of improvements. The information for this will come a list of improvements created by a student with disabilities.

 Pro Choice Policy

Orla explained that other unions have adopted to support Pro choice and asked the committee if SUSU should support this?  The Committee had a discussion about this and decided to take it as an idea to Union Council.

Wellbeing Day

Wellbeing day is on 4 November.  The university are arranging events for staff with SUSU providing events for students.  There will be a chill out area, signing of the mental health charter and healthy choice food in outlets. 

Make a difference day

A day to encourage volunteering in the city on 14 October.

As there was no other business the meeting closed at 3.30pm.