Student Support
Equal Opportunities Statement
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The University of London was established to provide education on the basis of merit above and without regard to race, creed or political belief and was the first university in the United Kingdom to admit women to its degrees.
Royal Holloway, University of London (hereafter 'the College') is proud to continue this tradition, and to commit itself to equality of opportunity in employment, admissions and in its teaching, learning and research activities.
The College is committed to ensure that:
- All staff, students, applicants for employment or study, visitors and other persons in contact with the College are treated fairly and have equality of opportunity, without regard to race, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, age, marital or parental status, dependants, disability, sexual orientation, religion, political belief or social origins
- Both existing staff and students, as well as, applicants for employment or admission are treated fairly and individuals are judged solely on merit and by reference to their skills, abilities, qualifications, aptitude and potential
- It puts in place appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity
- Teaching, learning and research are free from all forms of discrimination and continually provide equality of opportunity
- All staff, students and visitors are aware of the Equal Opportunities Statement through College publicity material
- It creates a positive, inclusive atmosphere, based on respect for diversity within the College
- Conforms to all provisions as laid out in legislation promoting equality of opportunity
July 2002
The College has developed a race equality policy within the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (RRAA 2000). The following extract is taken from that
Aims and Objectives
Royal Holloway is committed to ensuring that all of its staff, students, applicants for employment or study, visitors and other persons in contact with the College are treated fairly and have equality of opportunity.
The College will endeavour to ensure that it meets the requirements of the general duty as laid out in the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 by:
- Putting in place appropriate measures to eliminate race discrimination in employment, admissions and in its teaching, learning and research activities
- Promoting equality of opportunity so that individuals are judged solely on merit and by reference to their skills, abilities, qualifications, aptitude and potential
- Promoting good relations between people of different racial groups
The College will seek to achieve the general duty through the following specific duties (as outlined in the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000):
- Prepare and maintain a policy promoting Race Equality
- Prepare, maintain and regularly review a Race Equality Action plan, with objectives committed to meeting the general and specific duties of the Act
- Put measures in place to assess the impact of all policies within the College on all students and staff from different racial groups
- Monitor by racial group all student admissions and progress, and all staff recruitment and progress, throughout the College, and publish these results annually
- Publish the Race Equality policy, Action Plan, and results of assessment and monitoring as widely as practicable internally and externally
In addition the College will seek to achieve its objectives by:
- Ensuring that procedures for staff and students provide equal opportunities and are free from unlawful racial discrimination in all areas pertaining to employment, study and learning
- Ensuring that the promotion of race equality is central to the way the College works
- Creating a positive, inclusive atmosphere, based on respect for different cultures and backgrounds
Staff and Students
Staff and students are responsible for ensuring that the College achieves its objectives on race equality.
With that aim in mind staff and students must ensure that they:
- Do not racially discriminate against, harass, or otherwise intimidate or offend their fellow staff members or students, job applicants, visitors or any other individual connected with the College (such as agents, suppliers or contractors).
- Co-operate with measures introduced by the College, which are designed to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between people from different racial groups and eliminate unlawful racial discrimination.
- Attend appropriate training and information events organised by the College on equal opportunity and diversity awareness.
- Do not induce fellow staff members, students or other individuals connected with the College to practice racial discrimination or otherwise condone racial discrimination
- Deal with the public and others in a non-discriminatory manner.
The full race equality policy and action plan are available on the web, visit www.rhul.ac.uk/personnel/equalopportunities.html
The College has adopted a policy with respect to personal harassment. Any incidents of harassment will be regarded as extremely serious and can be grounds for disciplinary action that may include dismissal or suspension.