As part of a feature in the May 2017 print issue of Professional Security magazine, we feature campus security including awards to universities to support work into students’ safety, security and well-being, including sexual harassment.
The University of Gloucestershire is one of 64 universities and colleges across the country to receive a share of £2,453,141 from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for projects that aim to address concerns about sexual violence and harassment on campus. The grants, from HEFCE’s Catalyst Fund, were issued in response to a report last year by the Universities UK Harassment Task Force on the nature and scale of the problem in higher education, and highlighted the need for institutions to respond more.
Gloucestershire plans to use its share of the money to undertake a research project that will help understand student priorities and concerns around safety, security and well-being on campus.
Stewart Dove, Director of Student Services at the University of Gloucestershire, said: “The University of Gloucestershire is very pleased to have received a grant from HEFCE to support our work in better understanding the views of our student community related to their safety, security and wellbeing. Once complete, the research project will determine the priorities that our students believe need addressing. The university, working in partnership with its Students’ Union, will then seek to enhance services accordingly.
“The university works hard to offer excellent support services for its students, and this has recently been recognised with the institution being selected as a finalist in the Student Support category in the annual Whatuni Student Choice Awards.”
