Hello everyone! My name is Rachel Wates and I am your Diversity
Officer. I chose to run for this role as I believe diversity plays a
big part in my life from race to sexuality. I have enjoyed my time
here at Reading, from engaging in an open discourse surrounding mental
health as President of Open Mind to organising drinking and
non-drinking socials in my role as Social Secretary for Yogalates.
My most memorable time during my undergraduate course was spending a
term at The University of Reading Malaysia and I would highly
encourage anyone to take up Study Abroad opportunities. If you see me
around campus or if you have any queries relating to diversity and
inclusion please do feel free to drop me an email.
My manifesto:
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To host more inclusive events on campus such as Asian History Month
and Bisexual Visibility Week.
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Improve access to Study Abroad and the university of Reading
Malaysia for prospective students.
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To create a Partnership Scheme for International students to make
friends with UK Home Students.
The Diversity Officer is responsible for the development and
management of inclusion and diversity initiatives, as well as taking
the lead on liberation related campaigns. The Diversity Officer will
meet with the Part Time Officers, offering them support and helping to
promote and oversee the campaigns they run.
Check out my manifesto
My remit also includes:
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Liaising with the Liberation and Representation Part-time Officers
to establish common student issues and support them with their
campaigning work.
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Working on all external and internal aspects of inclusion and
diversity, including all relevant University committees, and
liaising with relevant staff members.
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Leading on diversity and inclusion campaigns and championing the
voice of minority groups on campus; BAME, Disabled, Women, LGBQ+ and
Trans students.
- Being the lead officer on Part-time Officer progress updates.
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Being responsible for Culture and Faith societies and Activity
groups.
The committees and groups I sit on include:
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RUSU Liberation and Representation Committee (LARC). I lead this
committee. This is the committee where all the Part-time Officers
discuss the work they have done and how we would like to move
forward.
-
The University's Race Equality Review which aims to identify actions
for improvement against existing measures of race equality and
issues identified through an active listening phase.
-
University Board for Teaching, Learning and Student Experience
(UBTLSE) where we discuss teaching and learning for students.
-
Disability Action Plan which aims to increase influence within the
University of Reading, to make our community more inclusive to all
staff members and students.
-
Sustainability Committee - which seeks to make RUSU more sustainable
and environmentally sound.
- RUSU Ideas Feasibility group.
- RUSU Student Voice.
- RUSU Trustee Board.