Integrating LGBTQ students’ needs into strategic forward planning

10th November 2011Dr Chris Twine (Director, Student Services) & Jean Turner (Assistant Director, Student Support)

Workshop objectives

Enable participants to:

Reflect systematically on key institutional strategies and consultation mechanisms

Understand the balance between inclusive and specific objectives

Review their respective institutional student lifecycle(s) and identify opportunities to integrate LGBTQ needs

University of Birmingham Strategic Framework

Defined time period – 2010 to 2015 Developed by Council (key governing body) Consultations via “town hall” meetings Broad objectives

- “Destination of choice for students”- “Develop a distinctive high quality experience”

All other strategies (IT Strategy, Education Strategy, Estates Strategy) flow from this

Specific action plans for each objective

Equality Act

Single Equality Scheme relates all equality objectives to Strategic Framework

Balance between inclusive objectives…

… and objectives specific to protected characteristics (and should trans be grouped with LGB?)

The key mechanism for consulting on, identifying and integrating LGBTQ needs

Integration through engagement Consulting – via Student Unions, student portals, open fora

(but beware of tokenism and “the only gay in the village” syndrome)

Evidence-gathering– do not overlook qualitative information as well as quantitative data

Senior management championing and decision-making – ability to make things happen (and be seen to happen)

Monitor, evaluate, review

Visible, positive promotion of diversity in internal and external communications