The Role of Student Equity Unit
- The Role of the Equity Unit
- Engaging the Community
- Supporting Equity Category Students
- Creating Opportunities through the Equity Scholarships Program
- Providing a Safe and Fair Working and Study Environment
The Role of the Equity Unit
- Promoting and supporting diversity.
- Ensuring a positive, equitable and safe work and study environment.
- Ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination legislation and policies.
- Encouraging an inclusive learning and teaching environment.
- Providing assistance and advice on equity matters.
- Creating opportunities through the Equity Scholarships Program, including the Commonwealth Scholarships.
- Providing information for staff teaching students with disabilities.
- Providing learning support for students with disabilities from both higher education and TAFE sectors to ensure people with a disability or medical condition are able to participate fully in all aspects of university life.
Engaging the Community
As Swinburne has become a significant contributor to university community and regional engagement, several of our equity programs are now supported by community and corporate groups and partners. This is an increasing and exciting trend that greatly assists our capacity to respond to student needs and expectations.
Supporting Equity Category Students
The Unit provides support for students from a wide
variety of backgrounds and life experiences. This may include;
low socio-economic background, mature age, students with disabilities,
Indigenous Students, First in the Family in Higher Education
and Language other than English or Non English Speaking Background
students.
Whilst the Unit supports a range of students who enter tertiary
studies from non traditional backgrounds, it focuses its resources
and funding on three main areas:
- Students from educationally and financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Rural and regional students.
- Students with disabilities.
Creating Opportunities Through the Equity Scholarships Program
Swinburne University is committed to supporting students from rural and sociologically disadvantaged backgrounds, including educational, social and financial. A number of grants, awards and scholarships (including the Commonwealth Scholarships) are administered by the Unit via the Equity Scholarships Program to support this initiative.
Providing a Safe and Fair Work and Study Environment
The Unit works with the Equity Consultant Human Resources, with academics and teachers in Schools and in Faculties and with senior administrators, to provide advice to students on equity issues and also to ensure appropriate referral, advocacy and assistance to students who believe they have a grievance or experience discrimination or bullying.