Identified issues • References to DEI are sparse in wider university policies, including behavioural agreements • Some students may not be experienced in, or open to, living in a diverse environment with students from different backgrounds, which can cause issues for minoritised students Commission actions • Create a best practice guide for student behavioural agreements that set out expectations around inclusivity, featuring examples of good practice already in place across the sector Good practice tips Melissa Browne, Deputy Director of Commercial Services and Estates at University of Kent , and Rebecca O’Hare, Interim Deputy Director of Residential Services at the University of Leeds : • Include commitments in the charter that encourage students to both respect and be an active part of a diverse student community • Promote the charter through pre-arrival communications, induction programmes and welcome packs, any university or accommodation apps and websites, and on social media • Reference the charter during any conversations about conduct and, if necessary, during disciplinary meetings Self-assessment questions Does your university or accommodation provider have a student behavioural agreement or charter in place that students are required to commit to? Does your charter outline expectations for student behaviour around diversity and inclusion? How are students held accountable if they fail to meet these expectations? 17 16 Living Black at University Commission Report 2022/23 Living Black at University Commission Report 2022/23 1.3 RECOMMENDATION 4 Accommodation providers should confirm a commitment to tackling racism, both in their internal policies and in their student behavioural agreement or charter. Identified issues • Allocation processes can lead to students being inadvertently segregated in accommodation blocks, due to factors like budget and time of booking – this can create a sense of Black students being othered • Students who are ill-equipped or unprepared to live in a diverse environment may compromise the safety and/or wellbeing of Black students, whether intentionally or unintentionally • Students from diverse ethnic backgrounds may feel isolated by a lack of representation of their cultural or religious celebrations, particularly international students who cannot celebrate important cultural events with their families Self-assessment questions Does your allocation data suggest that students of the same ethnicity are being segregated within your accommodation? Have you reviewed your allocation processes and/ or policies to explore whether they unintentionally segregate students by race or ethnicity? Do you work collaboratively with private sector accommodation providers to ensure that students have opportunities to mix with a diverse range of people within accommodation Good practice tips Rebecca O’Hare, Interim Deputy Director of Residential Services at the University of Leeds : • Develop accommodation allocation policies which work to ensure Black students are not segregated into particular buildings or flats, whether intentionally or unintentionally. While it is encouraged to allocate Black students with at least one other Black student, flat allocations where possible should be as diverse as possible and provide students with the opportunity to meet and mix with others from many backgrounds and cultures • Where universities are working in partnership with private accommodation providers, include minimum race or multicultural competency training requirements for student facing staff members in service level agreements (SLAs). Records of this training should be stored safely with refresher training delivered every two years, and training should be undertaken as part of the induction plan for new staff members • Residence Life teams should seek to identify and celebrate a broader range of inclusive events which are relevant to the demographic of students living in your residence 1.4 RECOMMENDATION 6 Universities and accommodation providers should work together to create intentionally diverse and inclusive student accommodation.