Position

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is an advisory committee to the Vice-Chancellor on matters relating to equality, inclusivity, equity and diversity.

Role statement

1. The functions of the committee and its members include:

(a) oversight of the University's governance and management arrangements for inclusion, equity, and diversity to ensure that they are comprehensive and contemporary;

(b) review and support the implementation of the University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and operational plans, including considering and initiating modifications to the University's equity and inclusion policies and procedures;

(c) support institutional compliance with all relevant equality legislation;

(d) convene Working Groups or other initiatives as needed to support UWA?s strategic initiatives.

(e) act as inclusion and diversity sponsors and advocate to raise awareness amongst staff and students of the importance of  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UWA.

(f) foster and encourage good practice, innovation and flexibility in the delivery of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion agenda through all University functions and activities.

(g) monitor annual progress against the strategic and operational Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion targets and key performance indicators to improve the overall diversity and equity metrics.

2. The Vice-Chancellor will submit (via the Chair)

(a) any strategic recommendations transpiring from other Vice-Chancellor Working Group meetings that may pertain, directly or indirectly, to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy; and

(b) decisions that have been made following advice from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Membership details

3.(1) The committee comprises of the:

(a) Pro Vice-Chancellor (Diversity & Inclusion) as Chair;

(b) Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor (or nominated representative);

(c) Chief Financial Officer (or nominated representative);

(d) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) (or nominated representative);

(e) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (or nominated representative);

(f) Pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Education) (or nominated representative);

(g) Chair of Academic Board (or nominated representative);

(h)  Director, Human Resources (or nominated representative);

(i) Manager, Workforce Diversity;

(j) the Chair of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Working Group (or nominated representative);

(k) the Chair of the Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group (or nominated representative);

(l) the Chair of the Gender Equity Working Group (or nominated representative);

(m) the Chair of the LGBTIQA+ Working Group (or nominated representative);

(n) the Chair of the Student Equity and Participation Working Group (or nominated representative);

(o) the President of the Guild of Undergraduates (or nominated representative);

(p) the Postgraduate Student Association Equity Officer (or nominated representative);

(q) a Staff Union representative;

(r) an Executive Officer

(s) the Chair may co-opt up to four members, internal and external to the University, for balance, representation, and specific expertise.

(2) The Vice-Chancellor is appointed as a standing invitee to the Committee.

(3) The Chair may appoint a Deputy Chair from among the members to perform essential duties in the Chair's absence.

(4) It is desirable that members appointed or co-opted under 3(1)(s) have a senior leadership role with responsibility for aspects of university business that require equality and inclusion as a strategic enabler.

Terms of Office

(1) Reviewed annually by the Chair of the Committee.

(2) Co-opted members are appointed for the period required by the Chair, not exceeding four years of continuous service.

Quorum

The quorum for the Committee is half the current membership plus one AND

Meetings are not considered quorate if the attendees are all of one gender.

Decision making

The Committee aims to reach agreement on actions by consensus. Where this is not possible the matter(s) will be referred to the Vice Chancellor.

Frequency of meetings

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee meets at least four times per annum. In accordance with UWA's Guidelines for Committees, agendas and minutes of the Committee meetings will be published on the UWA website.

Every effort will be made to arrange for Committee meetings at times that will not disadvantage or preclude the participation of people with caring responsibilities or who are working part-time.

The Executive Officer for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will provide secretariat support.

Delegation

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee may establish working parties to provide advice as required, and may also refer matters to other bodies or delegate decision making as appropriate.

Policies or Reports Informing these TOR

UWA 2030 Vision; UWA Strategic Plan 2020-25; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan 2022-2025 (in development); Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy (in development)