With a budget that is stretched to its limits, it can be really easy for the busy administration of a university to be complacent about equality and diversity training.
We know diversity is a priority for universities, but they should not limit it to compliance based training. Developing a sense of inclusion goes beyond not breaking the law and just being compliant with the law is now not enough. Not having equality and diversity training for educators that goes beyond the basics can have detrimental effects on the well-being of minority students.
For example, two incidents at leading universities reveal how inclusion is more than just complying with the law.
One university is accused of circulating a “criminalised” CCTV image of former student who happens to be a black male. The image was emailed to all of its staff and students, along with a message warning them to “be vigilant” as the the college’s “wonderful and safe environment” can be taken advantage of.