Our Commitments

The University has signed the Armed Forces Covenant as part of its pledge to support the armed forces community.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a Government initiative, which ensures that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly across the nation. The University has signed a number pledges to reinforce its commitment to providing fair opportunities for all and supporting the employment of veterans and Reserve Forces by accommodating mobilisation and training.

View a copy of the Covenant

Run by the Equality Challenge Unit, the Athena SWAN Charter was launched in 2005 with the initial aim of helping universities and research institutions to create more equitable working environments for women in science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics. It was expanded in 2015 to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law, professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students.

The University is committed to Athena SWAN and became a charter member in November 2015, signing up to the ten key principles, which are reflected in our policies, practices, action plans and culture. We are also proud holders of an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to equality in higher education.    

Find out more about the University’s work with the scheme

As a large organisation, the University recognises the significant impact it has upon the local and global environment. We are committed to minimising, within the constraints imposed by financial sustainability, any negative effects the delivery of our activities might have. As such, we will adhere to environmental best practice and have set a high-level key performance indicator to maintain an ISO14001 accredited Environmental Management System.

Read the University’s Environmental Policy in full here.

The guiding principle of the University’s investment policy is to generate funds with which to further the ambitions, aims and values of the University. For ethical reasons the University will not invest in or carry out trade with suppliers of related services that do not support these aims and values.These include where such investment might conflict or be inconsistent with the aims, objects or activities of Canterbury Christ Church University.

The University will not directly invest funds in the following:

• Activities that conflict with the University’s sustainability measures; within which there is an aim to reduce the carbon footprint;
• Fossil fuel companies, including coal and tar-sands;
• Corporations complicit in the violation of International law;
• Arms companies, including sales to regimes;
• Where such investment might have an adverse impact on the reputation of the University;
• Where the investment fund is not able to demonstrate social responsibility within the context of the locality of the investment activity; and,
• Where the investment is considered unethical and not in keeping with the University’s values. 

To further deliver this commitment to ethical investment the University will review the supply chain to ensure it supports the aims of the modern slavery act to abolish the use of forced labour and to discourage human trafficking. The commitment will be reviewed and reported annually to the Finance and Resources Committee as part of the annual Treasury report.

As part of the appointment process of a bank or other professional financial advisers due consideration will be given to ethical banking standards and how these fit with the aims and values of the University. The ethical banking policy of the service providers will be obtained and reviewed at least annually during the term of service to ensure best fit is maintained.

View our Fossil Free Declaration

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

Read the University’s Fair Trade Policy in full here.

From January 1 2016, a commitment was given that all colleagues working within the University will receive a minimum rate of pay matching the new Living Wage level.

The Living Wage is described as the hourly rate of pay necessary for people to meet their basic day-to-day needs, including housing, food and clothing. The rate is calculated by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University and is closely linked to changes in the cost of these basic items. Unlike the national minimum wage, it is not legally enforceable and is a voluntary benchmark.

Every member of staff plays an important role in the success of the University and earning a Living Wage not only demonstrates our commitment to being a socially responsible employer, but also our commitment to supporting our staff in line with our values.

Throughout our history, we have been recognised for our friendly and supportive environment that fosters a sense of belonging and community. Building on these values, we have developed with students and staff, an aspirational Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework.

Our ambition is to develop a holistic approach to mental health, which enables all students and staff to thrive and realise their potential in a mentally healthy environment.

The Framework covers four interrelated and interacting elements – community, learning environment, living environment and support, providing a structure on which we, as an organisation and individuals, can build upon. 

We are committed to delivering the Framework in line with the principles of co-design and co-production. The Framework evolved from a range of conversations with students and staff and we believe it is vital to continue with those conversations if we are going to achieve our vision. 

Read our Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework.

The University is committed to ensuring that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in itssupply chain in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The actions taken by the University include identifying high risk supply chains and following up with these suppliers to gain confirmation that they comply with the requirements of the Act.

As part of the University’s procurement strategy the tender process has been updated to ensure that appropriate activities are undertaken for all high risk contracts. This includes questions relating to Modern Slavery Act being stated in the Pre‐Qualification Questionnaires.

View the statement as a PDF

The University recognises its responsibility to provide and promote healthy and sustainable food to its customers. We will work to incorporate environmental, ethical and social considerations into the products and services provided.

Read the University’s Sustainable Food Policy in full here.