Tue 21 Feb 2017 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Otago Polytechnic has become one of the first organisations in the South Island to gain Rainbow Tick certification. Aimed to make sure an organisation is safe, welcoming and inclusive for queer and gender diverse people, the Rainbow Tick Certification tests how well an organisation is doing in these areas and offers ways to improve. Otago Polytechnic is also the first Institute of Technology and Polytechnic in the country to gain the certification and has shown its strategies and policies that specifically mention inclusion; reporting on inclusion at all levels, including governance; and training offered to staff. Stuart Terry, Otago Polytechnic Organisational Researcher, says “This certificate tells us what we already know – Otago Polytechnic is a wonderfully inclusive place to work and has been for years. “The Rainbow Tick is about showing we are welcoming, regardless of your background or culture. We are leading the way in the south.” To celebrate the certification, Otago Polytechnic’s Forth Street facing building will be lit up with rainbow lights from 8pm every night this week to celebrate and the Polytechnic will be flying the rainbow flag from the Forth Street flag pole, and inside The Hub.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 21st February 2017 - 10:56am