Living Black at University Commission Report 2022/23 Living Black at University Commission Report 2022/23 1.6 CASE STUDY: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON Laura Palmour Following the publication of the Living Black at University report, Associate Director of Residences the University of Southampton conducted a self-assessment at University of Southampton on progress towards embedding the recommendations, and additionally considered the recommendations made in Osaro Otobo’s HEPI blog on complaints in accommodation. Our self- assessment highlighted areas that required focus to improve sense of belonging, and how accommodation can contribute to narrowing the awarding gap. A cross-university working group was established, including leads from teams that deliver services or activities in halls, while the ‘Awarding Gap’ project student group were consulted in order to hear students’ lived experience and the actions that were most important to them. Funding was secured for a team of students to redesign the halls welcome guide. The university worked in partnership A Student Charter was already in place at Southampton: We are currently developing ‘DEI toolbox talks’ with with CampusLife to design a brand new e-induction for halls, with as a result of the Living Black at University report, the university Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team – expectations and messages about belonging at the forefront. Residences have raised further awareness of the which provide regular bite-size training to the teams Our Residences directorate attended the university-wide Equality Charter through the Halls Welcome Guides, e-induction in Residences and our contractors – and are also and Diversity Committee to raise awareness of the research and halls welcome events. The student wellbeing developing pathways training for security teams. outcomes and the Southampton action plan, building connectivity team at Southampton were already providing access Finally, Residences are closely monitoring data on with other departments in understanding Residences’ training to counsellors from Black and minoritised ethnic sense of belonging in halls and university surveys, and needs. Attending the Living Black at University Conference to backgrounds prior to the report’s publication. data teams are widening access to data by building understand the national response was also incredibly valuable for In response to Recommendation 3, Residences new reports to help us to make and monitor change developing our approach. are discussing research and training opportunities across the university. This work enabled the Residences and the Widening Participation at directorate-led, all-team sessions to encourage and Social Mobility teams to connect, and to address the awarding conversations about building inclusive environments. gap. Through the Living Black at University and Awarding Gap Residences already deliver training to all team projects, a student panel co-created the Black Freshers guide and members, including active bystander and Residences have promoted these guides in halls for September unconscious bias training, as well as training through 2023 arrivals, as well as including content in the Halls Welcome ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) to understand the skills required to ensure fair Guide; this has been reviewed by students to provide content that celebrates our diverse community for September 2023. investigations are undertaken. 20 21