OU Student Charter: Equity

Equity values

  • We value the rich diversity of students and staff.
  • We champion equity by breaking down barriers and challenging inequality wherever it exists.
  • We are an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory university.
  • We commit to accessibility and inclusivity by design.
  • We support our commitments to the Welsh language.

 

 

 

This means we

  • We actively value the rich diversity of our students and staff by recognising, respecting, and celebrating different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences in everything we do.
  • We champion equity by identifying and removing barriers to participation, support and success, and by challenging inequality wherever it exists.
  • We take proactive steps to address discrimination, promoting inclusive practices, and holding ourselves and others accountable for our actions.
  • We commit to accessibility and inclusivity by design, embedding these principles from the outset in our teaching, services and decision-making, ensuring they work for the widest range of people.
  • We  support our commitments to the Welsh language and the Welsh Language Standards by valuing its role in our community and ensuring that opportunities to engage, study and access services in Welsh are respected and promoted.

This means we do not

  • We do not overlook or marginalise voices or assume that one experience fits all. 
  • We do not ignore structural or systemic issues or accept unequal outcomes as inevitable.  
  • We do not tolerate racism, discrimination or exclusion in any form. 
  • We do not treat accessibility as an afterthought or optional add-on.
  • We do not overlook or diminish the importance of Welsh language provision within the OU.
 

Additional Links

 

Glossary

Equity

Equity is the commitment to ensuring fair access, participation and outcomes for all by recognising different needs and actively addressing barriers and inequalities.
 

Anti-racist

Anti-racist means actively identifying, challenging and working to eliminate racism and racial inequalities in behaviours, systems and practices, rather than passively not being racist.
 

Anti-discriminatory

Anti-discriminatory refers to actively preventing and challenging unfair treatment or exclusion based on protected or personal characteristics, ensuring an environment free from discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
 

Inclusivity by design

Inclusivity by design means embedding accessibility and inclusive principles from the outset in learning, services and environments so they work for the widest possible range of people, rather than adapting them later.
 

Diversity

Diversity refers to the presence and recognition of a wide range of backgrounds, identities, perspectives and experiences within the OU community, which are valued as a strength.