UCU: Equality in universities

Motion

Motion text: Conference notes with concern the lack of priority given by UK universities to equality issues and how the impact of the neo-liberal agenda, globalisation and increased managerialism has led to increases in bullying, harassment and stress in academic staff.

We are particularly concerned that
– many universities have not fully implemented the legal requirement for a Race Equality scheme, i. e. have not carried out Race Equality impact assessments
– the Stonewall Diversity champions table suggests a lack of attention to LGBT issues in many Universities.
Conference is asked to support:
– the election of an Equality Officer in every UCU Branch
– a national network of UCU Equality Officers with an annual conference and regular training sessions
– an audit of bullying and harassment in Universities
– equality being raised with the national employers with the demand for an urgent review of the issue in universities.