Ethics, Equity & Social Justice

Diversity in Education

Diversity in education includes the following:

Equal Opportunity In Education

Curtin is committed to the principles of equal opportunity in education.

The University aims to provide students and staff with an environment free from discrimination and harassment and ensures that its policies, procedures, structures and educational services create no disadvantage or disincentive to any student or potential student on the basis of impairment, socio-economic background, location, language, cultural or ethnic background, gender, marital status or religious and political conviction.

Curtin has established a range of mechanisms to ensure that the study and work environment is free from discriminating practices.

In addition, the University promotes recognition of the diverse range of students through the provision of adequate support and facilities for those with special needs and in the provision of a bias- free curriculum. Curtin has provision for the resolution of grievances should students believe there has been discriminatory treatment.

Click here for help in the area of grievance resolution.

Equity Target Groups

The principle of Student Equity is established through the Access and Equity policy set by the Federal Government. The policy aims to provide access and equity in higher education for specific groups.

The blue print for Equity has its origins in the Commonwealth's foundation document "A Fair Chance for All" (DEET:1990) and subsequent update "Equality, Diversity and Excellence" (HEC:1996). These documents are the basis of Curtin's Equity Agenda. Over the past decade the University has routinely monitored the progress of each of the nominated Equity Target Groups using the standard definitions and criteria set by the Commonwealth.

Curtin uses these definitions to measure its performance over time in access, participation, retention and success for all equity groups.

The University has embraced these groups for its Equity in Education program. The groups are:

Social and economic inequities within society have the potential of creating disharmony, particularly where disadvantage becomes endemic. The University believes it has a role to redress this situation by making university courses more accessible to members of disadvantaged groups who are not represented in numbers which reflect their numbers in the wider community.

Student Equity Strategy 2006-2008

The Student Equity Strategy 2006-2008 was endorsed by the Ethics, Equity and Social Justice Committee on 13 April 2006. The long term goal of the Strategy is to facilitate a higher education environment that supports access and participation by students from Equity Groups comparable to their representation in the wider community, and their retention and success comparable to the general student population at Curtin.

The broad aims of the Strategy are to:

The Strategy fulfils DEST equity funding requirements of providing outreach programs, support services, Commonwealth Scholarships administration, and an institutional equity and access scholarship program.

To view the documents: Updated 2007 (changes in red)

HEESP (Higher Education Equity Support Program) Grants

DEST Higher Education Equity Support Program Funds have been made available to Curtin to promote equity objectives. In particular, the program aims to increase the access and participation in higher education of domestic students from low socio-economic/low income backgrounds, students from regional and remote areas, students with disabilities and students from non-English speaking backgrounds. It also aims to assist in overcoming educational disadvantage associated with gender.

(DEST define a 'domestic' student as a student who is an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen or the holder of a permanent visa.)

DEST's continued allocation is based on the assessment of the University's performance against its objectives and also in comparison against National and State performance.

In 2006-08 HEESP funds will be directed to supporting the initiatives contained in the Strategy.

Grant application process

To apply for funding for an equity project, prepare a submission addressing the attached Criteria

Send your submission by Friday 15 August 2008 to Sally Webster, Manager, Student Equity & Diversity, Support Services. Direct any enquiries to Sally Webster.

Applications will be assessed by a panel and funds allocated according to demonstrated alignment with the Student Equity Strategy 2006-2008 and funds available.

A range of past projects have been supported by HEEP/HEESP funding in previous years.


Whom do I contact if I have a student equity issue?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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