The omission of other groups should not be interpreted as condoning discrimination against them.
GUSRC recognises that discrimination can be direct or indirect and can take place at a personal or at an institutional level and can manifest as:
- Direct discrimination: treating a person less favourably on grounds of a protected characteristic.
- Indirect discrimination: applying any requirement or condition which, though applied equally to everybody, is such that a considerably smaller proportion of people of one group can comply with it than the proportion of other people, unless the requirement or condition can be shown to be justifiable irrespective of a protected characteristic.
The University has created a race literacy glossary to assist staff and students with understanding racism(s) and be able to change practice where required. You can view the glossary on the University's website here.
The wording of the Equality and Diversity Policy has been expanded in February 2021 to clarify existing rules and guidance for clubs and societies on holding segregated events on University premises. To be clear, there is not and never has been, any SRC policy preventing a club or society formed to support a protected characteristic group from holding meetings or events for that group on campus. We strongly urge clubs and societies to read the wording of the policy carefully, and the fuller Equality & Human Rights Commission Guidance that is linked therein, and to contact GUSRC in case of any doubt.
Download our full Equality & Diversity Policy.