Â鶹ƵµÀ

Equal Opportunities Policy

Current Version Reviewed: March 2024

Review date: Lent Term 2027

Â鶹ƵµÀ is a diverse community of students, staff, Fellows and Bye-Fellows.

In order to offer an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive, we expect that all members of our community are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive culture that values and welcome diversity in all areas of the College.

Decisions and activities within the College, for example around admissions/appointment, progression or exclusion/dismissal shall be based on objective criteria such as conduct, merit and fulfilling the requirements of the member’s role in the College and no member shall be treated less favourably on account of a protected characteristic (defined by the Equality Act 2010 as age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation).

Scope
This policy applies to all students, applicants, employed staff, Fellows and Bye-Fellows and visitors.

Commitment
The College will take action to promote good practice and to support this policy and its aims. In particular it will:

• Work towards the elimination of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimization based on a protected characteristic, whether actual, perceptive, or associative, seeking to embed equality in all College activities through awareness, openness and engagement.
• Work to ensure that its policies and practices help to achieve equality of opportunity for all.
• Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
• Foster good relations between persons who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
• Promote an inclusive culture, good practice in teaching, learning, and assessment, and in employment through good management practice and through the development of practice, policies, and training where required.

Responsibility
Responsibility for the activities within Â鶹ƵµÀ in connection with its Equal Opportunities policy shall rest with the College’s Council with guidance on approaches and practice from the College Officers and the Personnel Committee, and implementation effected by the College Officers, Heads of Department and academic staff.

Reference
In determining its policies and approach around equal opportunities, the College shall have regard to relevant legislation, including:

• The Equality Act (2010) and associated secondary legislation.
• The Human Rights Act (1998).
• Criminal Justice and Immigration Act (2008).
• The Racial and Religious Hatred Act (2006).
• The Civil Partnership Act (2004).
• The Gender Recognition Act (2004).
• Criminal Justice Act (2003).
• The Protection from Harassment Act (1997).
• Special Education Needs and Disability Act (2001).

Complaints
Any member who reasonably considers that they are experiencing unfavourable treatment or unlawful discrimination on account of their connection with a protected characteristic, has recourse to make a complaint through the following channels:

• Students:
  • Ordinance 37 Rules of Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedure for Students
  • Ordinance 37a Formal Procedure for Â鶹ƵµÀ’s Consideration of Cases of Student on Student Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
• Staff:
  • Employee Handbook: Dignity at Work and Grievance policies
• Fellows:
  • Academic Staff Statute XXXVI