At SEIUM, we believe technical excellence requires real diversity, effective equality, and universal accessibility. It is not only a matter of fairness: it is a requirement to design better, safer, and more useful solutions for everyone. This policy sets out our principles, commitments, processes, and metrics so that any student, lecturer, researcher, or partner can learn, work, and collaborate without barriers.
Equality, diversity & accessibility
- SEIUM UNIVERSITY
SEIUM
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Purpose and scope
Purpose: to ensure an inclusive, safe, and accessible university environment in which everyone can develop their potential with equal opportunities and appropriate support.
• Scope: students (undergraduate/postgraduate/micro-credentials), applicants, academic and research staff, professional services staff, guest speakers, and partners (companies, public administrations, technology centres).
Guiding principles
Equal access, treatment, and opportunities in admissions, assessment, employment, progression, scholarships, and leadership.
Diverse teams make better decisions; we make this a strategic objective.
No physical, digital, academic, or attitudinal barriers.
Curricula and materials that account for variability from the outset, not as an exception.
Prevention and zero tolerance of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
We measure, publish, and improve using indicators.
Training, audits, and participatory review with student and staff voice.
Institutional commitments
Admissions and selection are blind to non-relevant attributes; technical and merit-based criteria are transparent.
Diversity, need-based, and access scholarships with clear rules and fair assessment.
Anti-harassment protocols and a confidential reporting channel, with a response SLA of ≤72 hours and specialist support.
Reasonable adjustments in teaching, assessment, and work (timing, formats, spaces, equipment).
Digital accessibility with WCAG 2.2 AA as the baseline across the LMS, content, and apps.
Physical accessibility in classrooms, laboratories, and events, with inclusive evacuation plans.
Inclusive language and communications, bilingual options (ES/EN), and communication support at key events.
Annual mandatory training for all staff on bias, accessibility, harassment, and inclusive leadership.
Publication of metrics (cohort composition, access/retention gaps, climate, satisfaction).
Diversity: what we promote
Comprehensive accessibility
LMS, libraries, and repositories aligned with WCAG 2.2 AA; accessibility testing and ongoing remediation.
Subtitles/captions, transcripts, and screen-reader compatibility; contrast and keyboard navigation.
Accessible templates for teaching materials (video, PDF, presentations, dashboards).
Mobile-first design and low cognitive load in interfaces.
UDL in course design: a variety of formats, reasonable timeframes, clear rubrics, and structured feedback.
Exams with extra time, breaks, smaller rooms, alternative formats, or assistive technology.
Academic support: tutors, guidance notes, office hours, and early follow-up (early alerts).
Procedures (how to request and what you can expect)
Request to the Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Service (SDEA), providing only the strictly necessary information.
Confidential assessment (risk, safety, feasibility, academic equivalence).
Decision with an adjustments plan and named responsible parties (teaching/service teams).
Follow-up and review; temporary or permanent adjustments may be applied.
⏱️ Indicative timelines: 10 teaching days for a standard decision.
- Calls with published criteria, a documentation checklist, and application support.
- Committees with conflict-of-interest declarations and decision traceability.
- Confidential channel (online/in person) with secure case logging.
- First response within ≤72 hours, with immediate protective measures where appropriate.
- Impartial investigation, respect for due process, and non-retaliation.
- Access to psychological and legal support (where applicable).
Training and culture
- Inclusive onboarding for students and staff (Week 0).
- Mandatory annual training on bias, harassment, accessibility, and inclusive leadership.
- Ethics & Inclusion Week, featuring real cases and industry roundtables.
- Living guidelines for accessible design (teaching, events, digital, laboratories).
- Recognition (badges) for lecturers and teams with exemplary practices.
Procurement, suppliers, and events
2025–2027 Goals (roadmap)
WCAG 2.2 AA across 100% of the LMS and digital libraries (annual independent audit).
Response within ≤72 hours via the anti-harassment channel and within ≤10 teaching days for standard adjustments.
Diversity scholarships at ≥10% of total enrolment worldwide.
Annual training: completed by ≥95% of staff and ≥90% of new students.
Laboratory audit: 100% of spaces covered by an accessibility checklist and a mitigation plan.
Publication of metrics and gap-closing plans, with six-monthly monitoring.
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Governance, data, and metrics
Governance, data, and metrics
Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Directorate (DDEA): strategy and compliance.
Inclusion and Accessibility Committee: staff + students + QA + HR + IT + Facilities + Teaching.
Student and alumni voice with voting rights on committees.
- Cohort composition and access/retention gaps.
- Completion and employability rates (comparative).
- Climate and satisfaction (annual surveys).
- Response times for adjustments and the anti-harassment channel.
- Digital accessibility audits (WCAG) and physical accessibility audits (checklists).
Annual report with actions, outcomes, and an improvement roadmap.
ddea@seium.university
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. They are handled with confidentiality and data minimisation, with strictly limited access.
No. They ensure an equal opportunity to demonstrate the same competencies.
Yes. We consider temporary adjustments and review them as your situation evolves.
Equal opportunities statement
SEIUM is an institution committed to equal opportunities. We prohibit any form of discrimination or harassment and ensure reasonable adjustments so that everyone can access, participate, and progress within our university community. Our culture is based on respect, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement.
Contacts and useful links
Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Service (SDEA)
inclusion@seium.university · 🕘 Lun–Vie 09:00–18:00 CET
Confidential anti-harassment / non-discrimination channel
safe@seium.university (also available via an internal form)
Digital accessibility and content
accessibility@seium.university
Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Directorate (DDEA)
ddea@seium.university