SGUL and UNic value diversity and are committed to creating a positive working and learning environment where all people are treated with dignity and respect. The institution wants to enable all staff and students to fulfil their personal potential. Therefore the University aims to provide fair treatment in work, study, recreation and leisure for all its staff, students and visitors, no matter their race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins. No student, visitor or member of staff will be treated less favourably on racial grounds.

Race discrimination law covers all types of organisations. A higher education institution may not discriminate against a student in the provision of education, or access to any benefit, facility or service, by excluding them or by subjecting them to any other detriment because of their race.

A definition of the term race

Under the law the definition of race includes:

• race for example – whether someone is African or Caucasian
• colour for example- whether someone is black or white
• nationality for example- whether someone is Polish or Indian
• ethnic origins for example- whether someone is a Gypsy Traveller
• national origins for example- whether someone is Scottish or English

Freedom of speech and Promoting Good Campus Relations Policy

The right to freedom of speech must be balanced with the need to protect people from abuse, for example through the inciting of hatred. The University protects students of all backgrounds from intimidation, harassment and violent behaviour. To ensure all freedom of speech remains within the constraints of the law, SGUL has developed Promoting Good Campus Relations: Policy on Events and Meetings and Guidance for all Speakers. Both policies are  available to students through the portal, on Moodle or can be requested through Registry.

Student societies

The Widening Participation programme at St George’s was established to promote the mix of students and to ensure its student population is ethnically diverse. There are several student societies that represent the cultural diversity of UNic: the African Society, the Arab Society, the Bulgarian Society, the Indian Society, the Iranian Student Society, the Russian Society and the Serbian Society. In 2011 the medical students established the Medical Students Society.  Students are welcome to create other societies to further enhance our diversity.

Placements

SGUL ensures that opportunities for off-campus study, work experience, placements and study and work abroad are accessible to students of all ethnic groups and that organisations in which students are placed agree to comply with our Equal Opportunity policies or have similar policies of their own.