Purpose of the Task Group:

At the direction of the Principal, the Race Equality Task Group (RETG) has been established by the Equality and Diversity Committee (EDC) to consider and address issues (both actual and perceived) undermining race equality at the RVC. The group will work with staff and student representation to engage the College community in identifying issues of mutual concern, agree measures to address them and actively promote diversity and inclusion in the College.  

The Task Group will prepare a report and supporting Action Plan for consideration by the EDC during the spring term of the 2020/21 academic year. The report will be shared with the College’s College Executive Committee (CEC) and the RVC Student Union (RVCSU) in due course.

 

Terms of Reference: 

The RETG will:

  1. Engage with students and staff to gather their views on identifying where problems in relation to race equality lie. 
  2. Review the support structures for both students and staff that are in place, and seek views on how these might be adapted to make them more effective.  This includes, but is not limited to: 
    • Reporting mechanisms for staff and students
    • Student and staff links to the Equality and Diversity Committee (EDC)
    • External partners – student placements, clients, sector and local communities
  3. Review the student culture, student recruitment strategies and information regarding racism within the student body, including the formal and informal structures and activities of the RVC SU, and develop proposals to address any issues that may be identified.
  4. Review the staff culture, staff recruitment strategies, policies and working practices to identify any issues which may be a barrier to racial equality and develop proposals to address any issues that are identified. 
  5. Consider ways to raise awareness of race equality issues across the RVC community, including the RVCSU and curricula delivered.
  6. Consider ways to improve communication about, and engagement with, the formal and informal measures the RVC has put in place to meet both its statutory and regulatory obligations, and its own strategic and moral commitment to promote race equality. 
  7. Ensure the RETG’s Report and Action Plan is aligned and compatible with the RVC and RVC SU’s wider strategies to promote diversity and inclusion across all equality strands.

 

Membership:

Chair: 
  • Professor Daniel Chan
Three student representatives:
  • Student Union Equality and Diversity Officer - Olivia Craddock
  • Student Union President – Quentin Wedmore
  • Animal Aspirations President - Lavinia Economu
Three staff representatives:
  • Dr Donald Palmer – Associate Professor of Immunology
  • Dr Mehroosk Tak – Lecturer in Agribusiness
  • Revd Andy Marshall – Chaplain
Internal Advisor:
  • Ferhat Nazir-Bhatti
External Advisor:
  • Dr. Avtar Matharu - University of York
Administrator:
  • Vanessa Charlesworth

 

Our plan going forward is to provide regular updates to the RVC community including the Students' Union and Alumni network via a number of communication channels.

If you have any questions or comments about the RETG, please feel free to contact any of the RETG members.