Nottingham Trent University BME Consultative Forum

Nottingham Trent University (NTU)- This Project is in partnership with Business In The Community (BITC)

1.  Purpose

The purpose of this forum is to support the development and implementation of all aspects of NTU’s Equality and Diversity Programme.  This will include looking at issues that arise at a strategic and operational level

2.  Aims

The aims of the Forum are to influence change and ensure equality of opportunity within the University.

3.  Objectives

• To give the local Black and Minority Ethnic communities a greater say and influence in delivery of NTU services and courses


• To provide a forum for local consultation and communication
• To develop partnerships between NTU and the BME Communities

3.  Terms of Reference

• To build active community consent, trust and confidence and participation in NTU’s race, equality and diversity processes
• Raise issues and concern of communities in Nottingham on service delivery and course content and student intake
• Build a network of community contracts to consult with and involve in the policy and procedure process
• To consider matters of concern within NTU, whether referred to the Forum by NTU, individuals or organisations, or put forward by the Forum itself on the issues of Race, Equality and Diversity
• To have the power to recommend changes to NTU’s Equality & Diversity policy and procedures
• To influence the development of the Equality and Diversity Strategy
• To be held in a public place within the community
• Venues for the forum meetings to be agreed by the Forum and agreed subject to the availability of suitable, accessible premises
• To ensure that monitoring takes place

4.  Membership/Meetings

• The Membership of the Black and Minority Ethnic Communities will comprise of the BME Communities of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
• Members will be on an equal footing
• Members to be provided with sufficient information to make a meaningful and informed contribution
• Members to be provided with feedback on issues raised/actions taken
• The BME Forum will meet a least four times during the 12 month period
• Members will be able to claim expenses

5.  Agendas

• The main content of the agenda shall be set by NTU in conjunction with Business in the Community and Human Relations Network
• Agenda items may be raised by Forum members at least two weeks before the date of each forum meeting
• Papers will be available five working days prior to each meeting

6.  Servicing of the Forum
Minute taking and preparation will be administered by either Business in the Community and Human Relations Network

During 2006 we have had a number of forum planning meetings in addition to the following events requested by the forum:

• A full day visit at the end March to various NTU Dept’s, including a lunch reception hosted by NTU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Neil Gorman
• A ‘Widening Participation’ workshop held in June, looking at the efforts of NTU to attract and support BME students
• An informative session on procurement opportunities for locally based BME businesses, held at the end of November 06

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