This Equity and Diversity Strategic Plan is based on the UWS vision and values and was created to implement equity and diversity principles and to make a practical difference at the coal face. Let us now briefly examine the concepts of Equity and Diversity. Equity In a university context, equity is the guarantee of fair treatment of all those with a stake in the institution (including both aspiring and current students and staff). It involves equal access to a fair share of the opportunities and resources managed by the University, unhindered by possible or perceived boundaries or by unlawful . Thus, equity involves more than simply equality. Equality is satisfied when policies are applied and resources are distributed equally, and it accepts that differences among individuals may result in variable outcomes, while equity seeks to influence outcomes by linking policies and resources to needs. Equity recognises that there are real differences among people, and it takes these differences into account to preserve fair processes, opportunities and sometimes outcomes. It does not require or imply any lowering of standards, but it takes watchful care to avoid the development of unfair practices and policies that might result in the serious underrepresentation or marginalisation of any section of the population or in disadvantages to those individuals striving to achieve their educational and professional ambitions. The maintenance of high standards of equity requires the University to maintain constant vigilance of its policies and practices relating to fairness in such areas as the admission of students, the recruitment and promotion of staff, the measurements of success, the rewards for achievement, and its relationships with the broader community. Diversity Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ. It refers to the wide variety of backgrounds, demographic categories, personal influences and experiences, as well as to the range of values and outlooks that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. It embraces all the different characteristics that constitute the individual and make each individual different from another. For example, gender, race, age, sexual orientation, social origin, caste or class, income or property, language, religion, convictions, opinions, health or disability - are all part of human diversity.
This Equity and Diversity Strategic Plan is based on the UWS vision and values and was created to implement equity and diversity principles and to make a practical difference at the coal face. Let us now briefly examine the concepts of Equity and Diversity. Equity In a university context, equity is the guarantee of fair treatment of all those with a stake in the institution (including both aspiring and current students and staff). It involves equal access to a fair share of the opportunities and resources managed by the University, unhindered by possible or perceived boundaries or by unlawful . Thus, equity involves more than simply equality. Equality is satisfied when policies are applied and resources are distributed equally, and it accepts that differences among individuals may result in variable outcomes, while equity seeks to influence outcomes by linking policies and resources to needs. Equity recognises that there are real differences among people, and it takes these differences into account to preserve fair processes, opportunities and sometimes outcomes. It does not require or imply any lowering of standards, but it takes watchful care to avoid the development of unfair practices and policies that might result in the serious underrepresentation or marginalisation of any section of the population or in disadvantages to those individuals striving to achieve their educational and professional ambitions. The maintenance of high standards of equity requires the University to maintain constant vigilance of its policies and practices relating to fairness in such areas as the admission of students, the recruitment and promotion of staff, the measurements of success, the rewards for achievement, and its relationships with the broader community. Diversity Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ. It refers to the wide variety of backgrounds, demographic categories, personal influences and experiences, as well as to the range of values and outlooks that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. It embraces all the different characteristics that constitute the individual and make each individual different from another. For example, gender, race, age, sexual orientation, social origin, caste or class, income or property, language, religion, convictions, opinions, health or disability - are all part of human diversity.
Equity_and_Diversity_Strategic_Plan_2013-2018_-_accessible.docx