The Big Equality Debate

This Tuesday the Big Equality debate is upon us, with controversial ideas being submitted on issues from equal marriage rights for same sex couples to disability rights and the government alleged spying on Muslim students. What everyone is wondering is what will pass and be implemented.

Previously students have seen ideas voted and passed in equality such as a zero tolerance to sexual harassment, free kids meals in the bars and a ban on the BNP and EDL speaking on campus. This year event has already seen 16 ideas submitted to date.

“We are all very excited about the big equality debate; it put the power in student hands. Students get to submit the ideas, students get to speak for or against the idea and students get to vote on what they think their university and union should be doing.” AP Diversity, Jawanza Ipyana

The launch of the Big Equality Debate is another sign Leeds Met Student’s Union successful year in equality and diversity. This year has seen a quadrupled of the equality and diversity mailing list, the new equality and diversity forum and the launch of a zero tolerance to sexual harassment stance in the bars. But the successes don’t end there, the high-profile national elections of Leeds Met Students in NUS has put Leeds Met on the student-political map. In the past 2 months alone, Jawanza Ipyana was elected to the national disabled students committee, Jo Johnson to the National executive council, Paula Smith to the national womens committee and Vicki Baars elected as Vice-President Union Development of NUS, all of whom have been involved in the equality and diversity area of the students union.

The Big Equality Debate
Tuesday 1^st May, 5pm-7pm . 2^nd Floor Lobby, Rosebowl.
See www.leedsmetsu.co.uk/debate for more information on the ideas so far, including