Proposed by: Bara’a Al-Diri
Seconded by: Rahma Hegy
What do you want?
We call upon the student union to: 1. Lobby the university to provide access to appropriate head-covering personal protective equipment, including disposable hijabs, and hair nets for natural hair and locks, and bare below the elbow alternatives such as disposable sleeves 2. Lobby the university to ensure that students from minority ethnic groups are supported and to raise awareness about this issue through teaching sessions and active bystander training 3. Lobby the university to rewrite and enforce their dress code guidelines in line with current NHS guidelines, to include the hijab, turbans, kippahs and other religious head coverings, beards, natural hair and locks, and disposable head-covering and bare below the elbow alternatives.
Why do you want it?
We are concerned about the lack of awareness, acceptance and standardisation of university dress code guidance for students going on placement to healthcare services, resulting in a disparity in students' learning experiences. Religious and cultural needs must be addressed in dress code guidelines by the university and relevant schools, because they are unchanging characteristics in students' lives. In addition, some of these characteristics such as wearing the hijab, kippah or turban, or having natural hair or locks, affect ethnic minorities disproportionately.
What impact will this have?
Improving university dress code guidelines by integrating religious and cultural considerations will provide healthcare students with clear guidance on what to wear on placement. This clarity will empower students, especially minority ethnic students, to champion their religious and racial characteristics, and support each other during difficult situations on placement. By providing disposable alternatives for head and arm coverings, the university will be able to support students in feeling more comfortable on placement whilst also protecting the patients they are interacting with, without students having to compromise on their religious beliefs or cultural norms. This motion works towards Queen Mary University's 2030 strategy of being inclusive. The university is at the forefront of student anti-racist initiatives and is well-placed to introduce inclusive dress code guidance and provide inclusive personal protective equipment for all.