Senate and Council have agreed the following statement of policy and principles affirming the University's commitment to equal opportunities for staff and students:
Aims
The University of Kent aims to create the conditions whereby students and staff are selected and treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, socio-economic background, religious or political beliefs, trades union membership, family circumstances, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction. The Equal Opportunities Policy seeks to eradicate unfair and discriminatory practices wherever they occur in the University and to encourage a diverse community to which all individuals may contribute as fully as possible.
Principles
Discrimination, direct or indirect, based on a person's gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability status, socio-economic background, religious or political beliefs, trades union membership, family circumstances, sexual orientation or any other irrelevant distinction is unacceptable. In addition to being unacceptable, such forms of discrimination represent a waste of human resources and a denial of the opportunity for individual fulfilment. This University will seek through programmes of legally acceptable positive action to increase the level of participation of students and staff of those groups that are currently under-represented. An Equal Opportunities Policy cannot succeed without the active support of the entire University Community. The University seeks to involve all sections of staff and students in the continuing development and implementation of its policy.