Take race seriously

Joyce Hill's summary of the importance of race impact assessments (Opinion, May 6) is timely. While some institutions strive to embed equality throughout the organisation, there are still too many that do nothing of the sort.

Too many institutions appear to aspire to the minimum legal obligations and do not challenge the often subtle ways in which black and minority staff are held back.

This week, lecturers' union Natfhe had to ask the Commission for Racial Equality to investigate the failure by a leading university to conduct written race impact assessments. It is Natfhe's view that the recidivists who "don't get it" need penalties as well as encouragement.

Those who refuse to act are doing their students, as well as black and ethnic minority staff, a disservice.

Roger Kline
Head of universities, Natfhe