By Terrence Manyeh
We don’t want a video, a press release or any meaningless acts of tokenism, we’re sick of talking rhetoric.
We want meaningful action and for the University and the Vice chancellor to show that they are committed to ending racial inequality.
The University of Brighton will not commit to the race equality charter it was announced today.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Debra Humphris made decision with a distinct lack of transparency, consultation and representation from the very marginalised groups that such a move will affect.
The Race for Equality charter mark is a scheme designed to tackle the issues that prohibit BME students from achieving in education and staff from progressing. The charter looks to address issues such as lack of representation.
Consultation only took place after the decision was made; and not only is this against the claims and promises of the new Vice Chancellor to ‘consult’ and bring transparency to her role and decision making, but it is also a massive step backwards in the incredibly important issue of addressing racial inequality, which should be a top priority.
The decision making process is also symptomatic of the issues that the charter seeks to address, the lack of representation and diversity within all areas of the University, especially in management and decision making positions.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Debra Humphris made decision with a distinct lack of transparency, consultation and representation from the very marginalised groups that such a move will affect.
The Race for Equality charter mark is a scheme designed to tackle the issues that prohibit BME students from achieving in education and staff from progressing. The charter looks to address issues such as lack of representation.
Consultation only took place after the decision was made; and not only is this against the claims and promises of the new Vice Chancellor to ‘consult’ and bring transparency to her role and decision making, but it is also a massive step backwards in the incredibly important issue of addressing racial inequality, which should be a top priority.
The decision making process is also symptomatic of the issues that the charter seeks to address, the lack of representation and diversity within all areas of the University, especially in management and decision making positions.
Marginalised groups have had a decision thrust upon them in a demeaning process that at best offers a clear insight into the level of priority that they are held, and in an institution that already realises it has issues regarding institutional racism, this is not good enough.
This comes during a wave of increased marginalisation for ethnic and international students. This has been exacerbated by government policy: namely in the form of the problematic, racist and Islamophobic ‘Prevent’ programme, which the University complies with, despite opposition from the Student’s Union.
This decision could not have been any more poorly timed.
This comes during a wave of increased marginalisation for ethnic and international students. This has been exacerbated by government policy: namely in the form of the problematic, racist and Islamophobic ‘Prevent’ programme, which the University complies with, despite opposition from the Student’s Union.
This decision could not have been any more poorly timed.
"A major reason for the decision was to allow the university to re-channel scarce staff resources into implementing actions to address the issues raised through the self-assessment, rather than putting a very large amount of time and effort into producing a new submission"
We have challenged the decision through the Student Union and have received further empty rhetoric.
Debra has avoided meaningful discourse on the issue and when asked how the university would be committing to the action over the findings of non representation and institutionalised racism at Brighton,
Chris Pole stated that HR would be working with equality and diversity to report more effectively on BME input.
Debra has avoided meaningful discourse on the issue and when asked how the university would be committing to the action over the findings of non representation and institutionalised racism at Brighton,
Chris Pole stated that HR would be working with equality and diversity to report more effectively on BME input.
We are not asking for a tokenisation of BME staff and students but meaningful action and commitment.
The reasons being put forward are purely not good enough. Something of such importance cannot be ignored because of a ‘scarcity of resources’. This is simply a poor attempt to justify an even poorer decision.
The reasons being put forward are purely not good enough. Something of such importance cannot be ignored because of a ‘scarcity of resources’. This is simply a poor attempt to justify an even poorer decision.
The issues are a lack of resources and support for staff, which the University has the capacity to provide but is choosing not to do so. The University has the resources to do so and is not, this is evidence of the level of their commitment and their stance about the importance of racial equality.
We urge Debra Humphries to reconsider this decision. We urge the VC to listen and provide the much needed support necessary to:
We urge Debra Humphries to reconsider this decision. We urge the VC to listen and provide the much needed support necessary to:
- Fully commit to the Charter and to tackling racial inequality within the university
- To provide staff and students with the necessary support and resources to address and best tackle racial inequality, institutional racism and to implement the charter
- Address the lack of transparency within the University and within senior management and the decision-making process. Which has also been a concern raised by students at the Hastings campus, with it coming out through the local media that the Vice Chancellor, Debra is considering the closure of the campus.
- Address the lack of diversity and representation within staff and management.
- End participation and cooperation with the racist and islamophobic PREVENT strategy.
We don’t want a video, a press release or any meaningless acts of tokenism, we’re sick of talking rhetoric.
We want meaningful action and for the University and the Vice chancellor to show that they are committed to ending racial inequality.
We want meaningful action and for the University and the Vice chancellor to show that they are committed to ending racial inequality.