To mark the third anniversary of Living Black at University, Unite Students has launched a survey across the UK higher education sector to gather data and feedback from higher education accommodation teams, wider campus services and student support teams. They would also like to hear from EDI practitioners, including those involved in the Race Equality Charter.
The research explores the experiences of Black students across university accommodation and private halls of residence, amplifying their voices and stories to the wider Higher Education sector. The findings are challenging, but it’s important to have this knowledge in order to be able to respond.
In February 2022, Unite Students published Living Black at University – the first report into the experiences of Black students in UK purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
The company launched a sector-wide Living Black at University Commission to take forward the recommendations and, 18 months on, are ready to share what they’ve learned in a new report.
Featuring actions taken, best practice guidance and university case studies, the Commission Report is a must-read for anyone in the PBSA sector who wants to make their accommodation a space where Black students can really thrive.
Following the launch of Living Black at University, Unite Students launched a national commission in order to respond to the findings and recommendations at a national level.
Now in its second phase and led in partnership between Unite Students and CUBO, the Commission continues working to set a new standard for inclusion and anti-racist practices in student accommodation – as well as wider campus services across the UK. Their aim is to celebrate what has been done so far, and also to understand the opportunities to take things further.
“Black students are having a poorer experience in their accommodation than their peers; there is widespread racism and they are less likely to feel safe, comfortable or that they belong there. This leads to poorer mental health, achievement and retention.”
“So much of student life is shaped by the experience of being in student accommodation. But if things go wrong – if that community does not feel comfortable, supported or safe – then this compromises mental health, the ability to study and, in some cases, the ability to remain at university. In this sense, accommodation teams carry a huge, and often under-recognised, weight of responsibility.”
Jenny Shaw, HE External Engagement Director, Unite Students
Three years of Living Black action
Ever since, the student accommodation sector has stepped forward to address this inequity, recognising its crucial role in the student experience. As an early response, Unite Students and a growing number of universities published ‘Cultural Services Guides’ co-created with students themselves.
The guides are useful for new students, but just as important is the signal they send – you are welcome here and we have thought about your needs. And that signal is clearly important – Unite Students’ Black Services Directory was accessed over 6,000 times in the year after it was launched.
The LBU Commission, now in its second phase, continues to work with Black students and a wide range of organisations to unpick the problem and to identify and support good practice.
Many universities have set up their own LBU working groups, with student accommodation, EDI and student support teams working together for change. From these groups we’ve seen all sorts of innovations: enhanced staff training, Black sports initiatives and delicious new food options. Inspired by LBU, Student Minds also launched the ‘Life as a Black Student’ project last year.
