Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Policy Number:103

Title: Diversity and Inclusion
Last Revised Date: 5th February 2023

Policy Version:Vol. 2

1. Introduction

Diversity and inclusion is at the core of Eton University's ethos. We recognize that a diverse, inclusive and collaborative culture is crucial to a successful and enjoyable university experience. We believe that a rich community of varying cultures and backgrounds fosters a progressive and positive learning environment. This policy outlines the University's commitment to promoting and upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion in its community.

2. Definitions

University community: anyone who is formally involved with the university, this includes but is not limited to students, staff, faculty, partners and alumni.

Disadvantaged and underrepresented groups: include, but are not limited to people with disabilities and/or medical conditions, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or war-affected countries

3. Scope

This policy applies to all members of the University community.

4. Principles

Eton University:

upholds basic human rights and promotes principles such as respect, inclusion, fairness and equal opportunity
is committed to providing an online campus which can adequately support students from a range of backgrounds and abilities
will uphold the principles of all laws relating to equal opportunity and anti-discrimination
will promote all principles in this policy to the entire university community
aims to increase opportunities for all its members to actively contribute to the university
apply the principles in this policy to all areas of the university including structure, curriculum, course design and delivery
will regularly review its policies, systems and regulations to further support the principles in this policy
will respond appropriately to any issues raised in which are in breach this policy and other relevant policies

5. Responsibilities

The University will provide an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and prejudice. The University will also ensure that all members of its community are treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and have access to the same opportunities for growth and development.

5.1 The University community must:

treat all members of the university community with respect
follow the Student Conduct Policy, policies in the Staff Handbook and other relevant policies and behave in a manner that is inclusive
Refrain from actions which would be considered as unlawful discrimination, harassment, and violence

6. Objectives

The University's objectives for promoting diversity and equality are:

To promote and sustain a culture of inclusion that welcomes and values diversity in all its forms.
To provide a safe and supportive environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and prejudice.
To attract and retain a diverse student body, faculty, and staff that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
To ensure that all members of the University community have equal access to education, employment, and other opportunities.
Ensure that all staff have acceptable knowledge of the diversity and inclusion

7. Implementation

To achieve these objectives, the University will:

Develop and implement policies with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the University's policies and practices related to diversity and equality
Ensure that adequate information relating to diversity and inclusion is readily accessible to the university community
To provide training and support for members of the University community on issues related to diversity and equality.
Respond, investigate and act on any claims which are in breach of this policy and related policies

8. Compliance with Equality Act 2010

As a higher education institution that is a partner of various British awarding bodies and British universities, Eton University staff must not only comply with Eton University “Diversity and Inclusion Policy” but also with United Kingdom’s Equality Act 2010, Chapter II Further and Higher Education. The Chapter II of the Equality Act is attached to this policy as an appendix, however, it is encouraged to visit the website in order to ensure the access to the most up to date version.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/part/6/chapter/2

Equality Act 2010

2010 CHAPTER 15 PART 6

EDUCATION

CHAPTER 2 FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

90 Application of this Chapter

This Chapter does not apply to the protected characteristic of marriage and civil partnership.

91 Students: admission and treatment, etc.

(1) The responsible body of an institution to which this section applies must not discriminate against a person—

(a) in the arrangements it makes for deciding who is offered admission as a student;

(b) as to the terms on which it offers to admit the person as a student;
(c) by not admitting the person as a student.

(2) The responsible body of such an institution must not discriminate against a student—

(a) in the way it provides education for the student;

(b) in the way it affords the student access to a benefit, facility or service;

(d) by not affording the student access to a benefit, facility or service;

(e) by excluding the student;

(f) by subjecting the student to any other detriment.

(3) The responsible body of such an institution must not discriminate against a disabled person—

(a) in the arrangements it makes for deciding upon whom to confer a qualification;
(b) as to the terms on which it is prepared to confer a qualification on the person;
(c) by not conferring a qualification on the person;
(d) by withdrawing a qualification from the person or varying the terms on which the person holds it.

(4) Subsection (3) applies only to disability discrimination.

(5) The responsible body of such an institution must not harass—

(a) a student;
(b) a person who has applied for admission as a student;
(c) a disabled person who holds or has applied for a qualification conferred by the institution.

(6) The responsible body of such an institution must not victimise a person—

(a) in the arrangements it makes for deciding who is offered admission as a student;
(b) as to the terms on which it offers to admit the person as a student;
(c) by not admitting the person as a student.

(7) The responsible body of such an institution must not victimise a student—

(a) in the way it provides education for the student;
(b) in the way it affords the student access to a benefit, facility or service; (c) by not providing education for the student;
(d) by not affording the student access to a benefit, facility or service;
(e) by excluding the student;
(f) by subjecting the student to any other detriment.

(8) The responsible body of such an institution must not victimise a disabled person—

(a) in the arrangements it makes for deciding upon whom to confer a qualification;

(b) as to the terms on which it is prepared to confer a qualification on the person;

(d) by withdrawing a qualification from the person or varying the terms on which the person holds it.

(9) A duty to make reasonable adjustments applies to the responsible body of such an institution.

(10) In relation to England and Wales, this section applies to—

(a) a university;
(b) any other institution within the higher education sector;
(c) an institution within the further education sector.

(d) a 16 to 19 Academy.

(11) In relation to Scotland, this section applies to—

(a) a university

(b) a designated institution;
(c) a college of further education.

(12) A responsible body is-

(a) in the case of an institution within subsection (10)(a), (b) or (c), the governing body;

(aa) in the case of an institution within subsection (10)(d), the proprietor (within the meaning of the Education Act 1996);]

(b) in the case of an institution within subsection (11)(a) or (b), the governing body;
(c) in the case of a college of further education under the management of a board of management, the board of management;
(d) in the case of any other college of further education, any board of governors of the college or any person responsible for the management of the college, whether or not formally constituted as a governing body or board of governors.

92 Further and higher education courses

(1) The responsible body in relation to a course to which this section applies must not discriminate against a person—

(a) in the arrangements it makes for deciding who is enrolled on the course;

(b) as to the terms on which it offers to enrol the person on the course;
(c) by not accepting the person's application for enrolment.

(2) The responsible body in relation to such a course must not discriminate against a person who is enrolled on the course in the services it provides or offers to provide.

(3) The responsible body in relation to such a course must not harass a person who—

(a) seeks enrolment on the course;
(b) is enrolled on the course;
(c) is a user of services provided by the body in relation to the course.

(4) The responsible body in relation to such a course must not victimise a person—

(a) in the arrangements it makes for deciding who is enrolled on the course;

(b) as to the terms on which it offers to enrol the person on the course;
(c) by not accepting the person's application for enrolment.

(5) The responsible body in relation to such a course must not victimise a person who is enrolled on the course in the services it provides or offers to provide.

(6) A duty to make reasonable adjustments applies to the responsible body.

(7) This section applies to-

(a) a course of further or higher education secured by a responsible body in England or Wales;
(b) a course of education provided by the governing body of a maintained school under section 80 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998;
(c) a course of further education secured by an education authority in Scotland.

(8) A responsible body is—

(a) a local authority in England or Wales, for the purposes of subsection (7)(a); (b) the governing body of a maintained school, for the purposes of subsection (7)

(b)the governing body of a maintained school, for the purposes of subsection (7)(b);

(9) In this section—

“course”, in relation to further education, includes each component part of a course if there is no requirement imposed on persons registered for a component part of the course to register for another component part of the course;

“enrolment” includes registration for a component part of a course;

“maintained school” has the meaning given in section 20(7) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998;

“services” means services of any description which are provided wholly or mainly for persons enrolled on a course to which this section applies.

93 Recreational or training facilities

(1) The responsible body in relation to facilities to which this section applies must not discriminate against a person—

(a) in the arrangements it makes for deciding who is provided with the facilities;

(b) as to the terms on which it offers to provide the facilities to the person;
(c) by not accepting the person's application for provision of the facilities.

(2) The responsible body in relation to such facilities must not discriminate against a person who is provided with the facilities in the services it provides or offers to provide.

(3) The responsible body in relation to such facilities must not harass a person who—

(a) seeks to have the facilities provided;
(b) is provided with the facilities;
(c) is a user of services provided by the body in relation to the facilities.

(4) The responsible body in relation to such facilities must not victimise a person—

(a) in the arrangements it makes for deciding who is provided with the facilities;

(b) as to the terms on which it offers to provide the facilities to the person;
(c) by not accepting the person's application for provision of the facilities.

(5) The responsible body in relation to such facilities must not victimise a person who is provided with the facilities in the services it provides or offers to provide.

(6) A duty to make reasonable adjustments applies to the responsible body.

(7) This section applies to—

(a) facilities secured by a local authority in England under section 507A or 507B of the Education Act 1996;
(b) facilities secured by a local authority in Wales under section 508 of that Act;

(8) A responsible body is—

(a) a local authority in England, for the purposes of subsection (7)(a);

(b) a local authority in Wales, for the purposes of subsection (7)(b);

(9) This section does not apply to the protected characteristic of age, so far as relating to persons who have not attained the age of 18.

94 Interpretation and exceptions

(1) This section applies for the purposes of this Chapter.

(2) Nothing in this Chapter applies to anything done in connection with the content of the curriculum.

(3) A reference to a student, in relation to an institution, is a reference to a person for whom education is provided by the institution.

(4) A reference to a university includes a reference to a university college and a college, school or hall of a university.

(5) A reference to an institution within the further or higher education sector is to be construed in accordance with section 91 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.

(6) “Further education”—

(a) in relation to England and Wales, has the meaning given in section 2 of the Education Act 1996;

(b) in relation to Scotland, has the meaning given in section 1(3) of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992

(7) “Higher education”—

(a) in relation to England and Wales, means education provided by means of a course of a description mentioned in Schedule 6 to the Education Reform Act 1988;

(b) in relation to Scotland, has the meaning given in section 38 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992.

(8) “College of further education” has the meaning given in section 36 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992.

(9) “Designated institution” has the meaning given in section 44 of that Act.

(10) “Local authority” means—

(a) in relation to England, an English local authority within the meaning of section 162 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006;

(b) in relation to Wales, a Welsh local authority within the meaning of that section.

(11) “Education authority” has the meaning given by section 135(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

(11A) A reference to conferring a qualification includes a reference—

(a) to renewing or extending the conferment of a qualification;

(b) to authenticating a qualification conferred by another person.]

(12) Schedule 12 (exceptions) has effect.