AUT University is vowing to offer staff diversity and inclusion training, and to sponsor Auckland Pride Festival events, after being awarded a Rainbow Tick. It’s the first New Zealand tertiary provider to be given the standard, which marks it as a safe and welcoming workplace for employees. The University was applauded for being the only organisation to have applied for a Rainbow Tick which placed rainbow community diversity and inclusion in its strategic plan. This is commendable and sets an example for others to follow,” the Rainbow Tick team states. Tim Davison, a member of Out@AUT, says being awarded the Rainbow Tick sends a strong message “that AUT welcomes and values the LGBT community, particularly its staff and students, and the diverse roles they fulfil in the University’s life”. AUT’s Vice Chancellor Derek McCormack says AUT is proud to be the first tertiary provider in New Zealand to be accredited with the Rainbow Tick. “This certification is reflective of AUT being an inclusive place for our staff to work and our students to study.” AUT says it will “continue its focus on the rainbow community” It says it will offer staff diversity and inclusion training, as well as sponsoring, supporting and participating in a number of upcoming pride festival events including hosting the Queers in Tertiary conference.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 28th January 2015 - 11:32am