Feedback

We are actively seeking input from students on our IDEA Roadmap to ensure that our goals and strategy are relevant and productive. To have your say on the Arc IDEA Roadmap, submit your comments here.

1. Introduction

Structural Disadvantage

Historically, universities have been exclusionary institutes by design. This structural disadvantage limits access to resources and opportunities for students from marginalised groups, affecting their academic performance and overall well-being. Fostering an inclusive campus culture that values diverse perspectives and experiences will help Arc mitigate these disparities and ensure students are supported to thrive in all areas.

Cost of Living Crisis

The ongoing cost of living crisis disproportionately affects university students- especially students from low-SES backgrounds, exacerbating the inequity these students already face. Arc will collaborate with UNSW to mitigate financial strain on students and ensure that programs are in place to give individuals the support they need.

Cultural Inclusivity

Campus environments that lack cultural inclusivity or diversity initiatives may alienate underrepresented students, impacting their sense of belonging and academic performance. This especially affects Indigenous and International students, who are more likely to feel isolated and lacking in community. Arc actively works with people from structurally disadvantaged backgrounds to change the culture on campus and ensure all students feel seen and heard.

Support Systems

Lack of targeted support can hinder the success of marginalised students, affecting retention and graduation rates. Arc will ensure that students are continuously supported in accessing relevant community groups and work to combat mental health stigma. It will also ensure that a diverse range of people are involved in organising student activities and societies to ensure that all voices are heard, and no one is left out of important conversations.

Accessibility & Participation

The absence of accommodations can impact students’ ability to participate in campus life. Arc aims to take an active role in advocating for accessible events and considering the needs of students living with disabilities when organising activities and activations. It also aims to educate able-bodied and neurotypical students on how they can be better allies to their peers

2. Why a Roadmap?

A Plan to Have a Plan

A roadmap allows students, staff, and affiliates to provide feedback and help shape our IDEA ambitions based on their knowledge and experience. Due to the range of challenges and opportunities, a roadmap explains Arc’s foci and articulates its implementation plan for achieving its goals.

Why Not a Strategy?

Rather than centring strategic strengths and goals, a roadmap focuses on implementation. Arc wants to highlight our commitment to material change, and this roadmap emphasises action as a focal point.

Change & Adaptation

A roadmap not only provides a chosen path to a solution but also demonstrates varying options. This document provides a starting point to a destination and ensures that the route can adapt to new priorities and information as they emerge.

3. 3 Principles

Arc services students from a range of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. With this fact at the forefront, IDEA is at the heart of how Arc will deliver on its mission to create the best student experience. Arc’s organisational DNA involves an acute sensitivity to lived experiences and a desire to remedy structural inequalities. All IDEA initiatives centre 3 fundamental principles;

See It to Be It

Arc is committed to visibly championing diverse students. This spans from representation in volunteering and marketing collateral to leadership opportunities for students from marginalised groups. Proactive discussions of diverse representation will occur at every level of the organisation.

Nothing About Us Without Us

Arc will consult and co-design with our constituents, actively soliciting contributions and feedback to gauge needs, adjustments, accommodations, and amplifications required for diverse lived experiences. Decision-making will be distributive and stage-gated, maximising the participation of all groups. 

Hold Space

Arc seeks to prioritise and foreground underrepresented experiences. We will allow individuals to autonomously define their experiences to ensure effective listening- which requires our staff to be empathetic and educated on holding space. This will require patience, open-mindedness, and intentionality as we enthusiastically create safe environments for enrichment

4. Strategic Alignment

IDEA is core to delivering the Arc mission and the UNSW 2025+ Strategy. This IDEA Roadmap articulates how we will implement the ambitions of these strategies.

Arc Strategic Plan

We will champion equity, diversity, and inclusion in innovative ways to drive a sense of belonging throughout our institution. Arc will audit, listen, respond, and act on inequalities facing students at the university. Our role is always to make space for marginalised groups, amplify underrepresented voices, and inspire UNSW through diverse causes. 

UNSW 2025+

Our success should be built on our communities' diversity and cultural richness, ensuring that students and staff achieve their full potential regardless of their background. The objective is to promote IDEA culture at UNSW.

UNSW Division of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Strategy

To instil equity, diversity, and inclusion across the University and equip our community to contribute to a fair and just society. We will collaborate and guide faculties and divisions to drive a culture of equity, diversion, and inclusion within UNSW and the wider community- including professions, workplaces, and everyday life.

UNSW Pro-Vice Chancellor, Education & Student Experience

Empower diverse student cohorts to achieve their goals by delivering strengths-based student support programs.

5. Strategic Approach

Arc is uniquely positioned to understand student experiences and values. Our emphasis on centring students and integrating the lived experiences and feedback of underrepresented groups allows Arc to prioritise student wellbeing. We optimise students’ time at university using their first-hand suggestions and assessments. Our encouragement for students to speak up and voice concerns and suggestions allows Arc to keep its finger on the pulse of student life- as well as to identify areas of opportunity and improvement to increase the presence of IDEA principles within student experience and the university environment.

Extensive Community Networks

Arc’s strengths further support its effectiveness and ability to support students, ensuring their needs are met at UNSW. Our networked approach leverages a community of communities, intending to hold space for everyone to find belonging and acceptance. Arc facilitates numerous social experiences designed to build confidence and connections amongst students and staff both on and off campus. Arc commits itself to driving opportunities for belonging and support, allowing students to experience care, empathy, and compassion from both the organisation and their peers.

Unique Listening Capabilities

Agility is a fundamental strength of Arc, allowing it to continuously engage with and evaluate student feedback to facilitate effective, impactful solutions. Arc responds to cultural change regarding the positions of marginalised groups within society by pursuing activations around race, gender, sexuality, class, and ability to ensure students feel welcomed, supported, and seen.

High Degree of Trust 

Arc uses a convergence-divergence model of education and awareness. Our regular communications with students across multiple channels act as our evergreen method of education, with additional events fulfilling the “emphasis” aspect of this model. This reflects how students best absorb and retain information, as research demonstrates that repeated exposure combined with consistent messaging most effectively creates behavioural change and retention.

 

6. Thematic Focus

Arc's student workshops have distilled our core foci into four adaptable themes, allowing agile responses to societal shifts and evolving student needs at UNSW.

Intersectionality

Arc’s ambitions in this space align with UNSW’s commitment to enabling students to grow, develop, and contribute positively to a better world. As the evidence demonstrates that inclusive education fosters acceptance, compassion, and positive treatment across varying backgrounds and levels of ability, Arc is determined to foreground intersectionality to ensure students are treated as individuals first and foremost.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

Indigenous Australians face ongoing discrimination, affecting university attendance and retention. Arc supports UNSW's commitment to reconciliation and aims to highlight Indigenous culture on campus through regular communications, events, and staff and student training. This multi-faceted approach integrates Indigenous culture into campus life, showcasing respect and enhancing cultural heritage visibility throughout the academic year. 

Gender Identity

Arc’s vision for improving student experience aligns with UNSW’s Gender Equity Strategy, embedding gender equity into the Code of Conduct. Arc supports trans and nonbinary students by foregrounding their experiences in the Be a Better Human campaign- as well as by offering inclusivity training and hosting events that highlight women and gender-diverse students.

Neurodiversity

Arc supports neurodivergent students at UNSW by promoting two-way dialogue and educating allies through evidence-based resources. By leveraging its relationship with the student body, Arc aims to accommodate neurodivergent students’ needs through tailored education, resources, and events; fostering acceptance, belonging, and safety to enhance the student experience.

7. Deliverables

Term 1

• Valentine's Day
• International Women's Day
• Mardi Gras
• Eid 
• Trans Visibility Day
• IDAHOBIT

Term 2

• Respect Week
• Pride Cup
• NAIDOC Week
• Indigenous Nationals
• RUOK Day

Term 3

• Diversity Fest
• Interfaculty Games
• Intercultural Cup
• Diwali
• International People with Disabilities Day

Evergreen

• Digital Campaigns
• Inclusive Events Checklist
• Accessible Policy, Procedures, and Practice

8. Stretch Goals

Building a Supporting Pillar

Arc aims to integrate IDEA into UNSW’s broader strategy as a pillar, advancing the university’s commitment to serving a wide range of student needs, experiences, and identities. Ingraining IDEA into UNSW’s operations, from hiring and training staff to the delivery of course operations and opportunities available to students, creates a powerful ability to drive positive change at every level of university life.

Grant Applications

Arc hopes to secure grants and funding to facilitate events, education, resources, and activations catering to students' unique and diverse needs. These grants will improve student experience and foster belonging, community, and acceptance, improving students’ academic success, retention, and enjoyment of their studies. Grant allocation will be discussed with students and directed towards the most effective messaging and issues, ensuring funds will have the most positive and measurable impact possible.

Internal Education

In the long term, Arc plans to integrate holistic, integrated education for its staff about IDEA's various dimensions and foci. They will hear from research and lived experience speakers on critical issues and learn first-hand how they can contribute to improved outcomes in both personal and professional dimensions.

 

9. Feedback Mechanism

Arc will seek, review, and integrate ongoing feedback from stakeholders to measure the impact and effectiveness of its strategic goals and ensure it reaches and engages UNSW students in all activities.

Board Accountability

Arc staff will annually report the delivery of IDEA ambitions against the roadmap, enabling the Arc Board to directly discuss the relevance and value of IDEA principles in our delivery.

Pulse Checks

Student feedback is vital to inform Arc’s future direction and allow analysis of activations and communications. Polls, question boxes, and requests for student input will be used to identify challenges and opportunities in real-time.

Rich Interviews

Rich interviews will primarily ideate for future events, messaging, and activities to determine which priorities align with and engage the target audience, with the greatest potential to realise Arc’s student-centric commitment. These interviews will involve both members and non-members of Arc to identify opportunities to reach new individuals and groups, engaging as many students as possible.

Surveys

Regular surveys of randomly selected students who have consented to be involved will be conducted to ensure Arc seeks feedback from all UNSW students, regardless of their Arc membership status.