Equal Opportunities For Students and Staff
The University of Waikato has an ongoing commitment to equal opportunities in education and employment. This is reflected in the diversity of our students and our staff.
We provide a wide range of University-wide and School/ Faculty-specific services to facilitate equality of access for students and success. Support is available to all students, with additional support tailored to groups to meet their specific needs.
Staff Profile
In 2008, more than half the total staff of 1,560 (full-time equivalent, excluding casuals and sessional assistants) at the University of Waikato were women (59%). Women comprised 46% of the academic staff and 67% of the general staff. The highest percentages of female staff were in the Student and Academic Services Division (84%); Library (79%), Human Resources Management (79%), School of Education (77%), and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Māori) Office (74%). The lowest percentages of female staff continued to be in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (25%); Facilities Management Division (33%); and Information Technology Services (38%).
Almost three quarters of the total staff at the University of Waikato were European/Pakeha (74%) and 10% Māori. A total of 21% of Māori staff and 38% of women held senior positions within the University. Senior positions are identified as academic appointments at senior lecturer and above, and general staff appointments at level 6 and above.
5% of University staff had declared disabilities. These included: vision difficulties, mobility problems, diabetes, breathing problems, hearing difficulties, epilepsy, medical and other disabilities.
Student Profile
The total student population at the University of Waikato in 2008 was 12,014, 41% (5,007) of whom were male and 59% (7,007) female.
The ethnic composition of the student population comprised: European/Pakeha 47% (5,631), Māori 19% (2,232), Chinese 12% (1,407), Pacific Islands 4% (501), Indian 3% (322), and "other" ethnic groups 15% (1,565). This compares with 2007 where 48% (5,737) were European/Pakeha, 19% (2,307) were Māori, 14% (1,675) were Chinese, 4% (453) were of Pacific Island ethnicity, 2% (294) were Indian, 13% (1,565) were of 'other' ethnic origin.
Students under 20 years of age comprised 21% of the total student population.
Students aged between 20 and 24 years - for whom parents are still responsible for living costs - comprised 40%, whilst students aged 25 years or over (those who may be entitled to a government-funded living allowance) comprised 39%
The University had 547 students with disabilities. Of these students, 196 accessed support services.
The University of Waikato prides itself on the diversity of its existing Equal Opportunity programmes and, in 2008, continued to support several programmes and initiatives for staff and students. These included:
- Strategies such as family-friendly environments, flexible hours and work-from-home options, considered on a case-by-case basis by managers
- Support for staff to undertake further studies to enhance their career paths and contribution to the University
- Availability of an EEO liaison representative in each School/Faculty and Division to assist senior management in the planning and reporting of EEO initiatives
- Coordination of a University-wide powhiri and orientation at the beginning of the academic year to welcome and induct new Māori students of the University
- Te Puna Tautoko - a forum of student support specialists in collaboration with School/ Faculty-based Māori student mentors
- Continuation of the position of Pacific Student Liaison Coordinator to promote and improve the success of Pacific Islands' students at the tertiary level
- Training of Halls of Residence staff to work effectively and appropriately with students with disabilities.
The University of Waikato also provided the following support for students living in the Halls of Residences in 2008:
- The University awarded 20 Bryant Hardship Scholarships to students who would not otherwise be able to attend University due to their or their families' financial circumstances. The scholarships covered 96% of the total cost of accommodation in the Halls of Residence.
- The Halls accommodated a significant number of students with a wide range of disabilities. A successful model was introduced for providing support and pastoral care by facilitating an across-services team of staff who worked with, supported and interacted, with affected students.
- The Halls of Residences also:
- operated kaupapa floors to provide personal, social and academic assistance for students wanting to encompass traditional Māori values and support systems, as well as fostering fluency in Te Reo Māori
- offered women and men-only floors, flats and cottages for Muslim and other students, who preferred to live in a single sex area.
- appointed a Pacific Island student to one of the Senior Residential Assistant positions with specific responsibility for our students from the Pacific Islands
