At Solent University, we are commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; this includes our support for students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME*) communities. Our commitment is demonstrated across our strategies including within:
- Our Access and Participation Plan, a strategy to support access, success and progression for disadvantaged students and under-represented groups in higher education.
- Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan, a strategy to support coherent direction for equality, diversity and inclusion activities.
The University also has holds the Race Equality Charter (Bronze) award (a national award that aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education) and is a Civic University which supports national and local BAME focussed initiatives including Black History Month and Southampton MELA. Other key activities at Solent University to support students from BAME communities include:
- A targeted widening participation programme, which includes specific activities and events for BAME students and communities.
- Sense of belonging activities, which support students' transition to university through virtual and physical events (including specific content designed for BAME students).
- Our BAME student scholarship, which provides students from specific ethnic backgrounds £1,000 each to use towards their tuition fees or accommodation.
- Support groups, including the Student Diversity Network and Students' Union societies such the African Caribbean Society and the Islamic Society.
- Targeted support, including BAME professional mentoring, the Grit programme, work experience and entrepreneur support, in addition to access to our wide range of specialist support services (all students).
- An inclusive curriculum framework with an inclusive approach embedded at course design, including facilitating guest speakers from BAME communities.
In addition to activities to support BAME students, the University is committed to tackling racism, while working with key partners within the city to support BAME communities, including Unity 101 Community Radio, The United Voices of Africans Associations, Art Asia, and Abu Bakr Mosque. Further information about BAME focussed organisations within Southampton can be found in our Southampton diversity guide (which outlines diverse and welcoming feel of the city).
* Solent University is committed to being at the forefront of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). We recognise there are a variety of terminologies used to discuss EDI and the acceptance and understanding of these terms can vary. To ensure we are using the most inclusive terminology and language possible, we are proactive in consulting with our Students' Union, staff diversity network, and wider community. Different terms may be used across our community, such as 'BAME', 'AMBO', 'BIPOC', 'racially minoritised', or 'ethnically diverse students or staff'. We are continually learning and striving to be inclusive of everyone.
