Position

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (‘DEI’) Committee is an advisory committee to the Vice-Chancellor on matters relating DEI of relevance to UWA staff and students.

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 and anti-discrimination legislation;

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

(e) act as DEI sponsors and advocate to raise awareness amongst staff and students of the importance of   DEI at UWA and support the implementation of DEI initiatives;

(f) encourage and foster and innovation, action,  flexibility and accountability in the delivery of the DEI agenda through all University functions and activities.

(g) highlight the need for consultation with staff and student communities on all matters that affect them across UWA;

(h) monitor both annual and longer-term progress against the strategic and operational DEI 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 DEI Strategy; and DEI matters at UWA; and

(b) decisions that have been made following advice from the DEI Committee.

Membership details

3.(1) The committee comprises of the:

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

(b) Chief People and Culture Officer (or nominated representative);

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

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

(e) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) (or nominated representative);

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

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

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

(i)  Director Health, Safety and Wellbeing (or nominated representative) 

(j) Diversity Equity and Inclusion Specialist (People & Culture) (or nominated representative); 

(k) the Chair of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse  Advisory Group (or nominated representative);

(l) the Chair of the Disability Access and Inclusion  Advisory Group (or nominated representative);

(m) the Chair of the Gender Equity  Advisory Group (or nominated representative);

(n) the Chair of the LGBTIQA+  Advisory Group (or nominated representative);

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

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

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

(r) a Staff Union representative;

(s) Director Campus Management (or nominated representative)

(t) Director, Student Life and Community (or nominated representative)

(u) 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.
 

Terms of Office

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

(2) Co-opted members are appointed for a period of one year , 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. ensuring that the views of the communities affected by decisions are given due weight, and that proposals are revised until no one has a fundamental objection.  In the unlikely event that reaching a decision 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. 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.

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; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan  2026=2030(in development); Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.