Background

The University of Bath committed to further the work on inclusion of its LGBTQ+ community of staff and students in 2025 by investing in the creation of an LGBTQ+ Institutional Lead post. With the creation of this post came the need to create a working group to represent multiple LGBTQ+ perspectives across the University to review and develop work on the University’s policies, procedures, practices, action plans and organisational culture.

Purpose

The LGBTQ+ USAT aims to promote and advance equity for LGBTQ+ staff and students across the University. The overall objective is to undertake a comprehensive and thorough assessment and development of LGBTQ+ equity progress and issues.

Responsibilities/tasks

• To design and implement a project plan (with activities, milestones and timescales)
  
• To investigate options for LGBTQ+ Charters or Indices for the university to submit to.
  
• Guide new and review existing resources and policies relevant for LGBTQ+ staff and students.
• Collaborate with wider internal and external stakeholders to ensure the coordination and delivery of required actions and initiatives.
• To establish working groups to focus on areas that need development.
• Plan for celebratory events, e.g. Campus Pride, LGBTQ+ History Month lecture.
• Respond to pressing current issues, e.g. The For Women Scotland Supreme Court Ruling.
• Liaise as required with other University committees and working groups with relevant scope and responsibility to progress objectives.
• Ensure liaison and learning from relevant research and sector initiatives are fully utilised to enhance the work and development of this group.

Frequency of meetings

Every two months in the first year, with additional sub-group meetings as required. Two weeks’ notice of meetings will normally be given. Meetings will be held during core hours 10am to 4pm and will normally not last more than 60 minutes without a break. Agenda items and minutes of the previous meeting will be circulated a minimum of 5 working days in advance to allow members to provide comments in advance if they are unable to attend.

Reporting

LGBTQ+ USAT reports to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC). LGBTQ+ USAT is chaired by the University’s LGBTQ+ Institutional Lead and sponsored by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost. Action plans and progress reports of the LGBTQ+ USAT will go through EDIC.

Membership

The membership, set at two years with a two term limit, can be reviewed at any time and LGBTQ+ USAT may invite others to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis, and/or establish working groups to advance its objectives. The Chair will issue personal invitations to relevant stakeholders, as well as put an open call out for members under the following themes:

• LGBTQ+ staff and students representing a balance of identities, including intersectional identities, within the LGBTQ+ umbrella.
• Representatives from each Faculty and the School, key central Departments (Admissions, Outreach, Student Support and Safeguarding) and student body/Students' Union.
• Individuals with knowledge, skills, and experience in advancing LGBTQ+ equity.
• A balance of professional and support staff and academics, people at different grades, contract types within the institution.
• Senior management.
• Data expert.

Note: the same individuals may be representative of more than one structure/group listed above.

Review of terms of reference

The terms of reference will be reviewed annually and agreed with EDIC.

Workload and recognition

Staff members (Academic and Professional Services) will be supported by their line manager to facilitate their contribution to the LGBTQ+ USAT in conjunction with their existing workload planning/agreed work objectives. Student members will be supported by the DoS and/or research supervisor in consideration of their study commitments. This should recognise both attendance at the meetings and additional responsibilities, i.e. preparations for the meeting, working sub-group tasks, etc. On average, USAT duties are expected to take up about 20 hours a year. Membership of the LGBTQ+ USAT is recognised by an acknowledgement letter from the Chair upon completion of the term.

Attendance and quorum

50% of the membership, which must include the Chair.

Secretariat

The EDI Coordinator, from the Culture and Inclusion team in HR.

Code of conduct

It is important to ensure the LGBTQ+ USAT operations are conducted in an equitable and fair manner, and in line with the University’s Dignity and Respect Policy. Members of LGBTQ+ USAT are requested to follow this code of conduct:

• Members may be featured on a public LGBTQ+ USAT webpage but can opt out.
• Diversity of opinion should be approached in a respectful way. USAT members should all be open to respectful challenge.
• Members are expected to conduct themselves in ways that build trust and goodwill between stakeholders regardless of background or experience.
• LGBTQ+ USAT values difference and approaching diversity (of thought, identity, and experience) with a spirit of respective collaboration.
• Given names, pronouns and identities should be respected at all times.
• If a USAT member feels disrespected and that an issue is not resolved, they should speak to the Chair outside of a meeting. If the issue is with the Chair, they should contact the EDI Coordinator on diversity@bath.ac.uk who will liaise with the HR Deputy Director.