Thursday, 20 February 2020
Staff, students and pets have come together to celebrate the unveiling of the University of Nottingham’s new rainbow ‘zebra’ crossings, in support of its LGBT+ community.
The quintessentially British monochromatic zebra crossing has been given a colourful makeover by the University at its three UK campuses, to foster a welcoming atmosphere, demonstrate its strong commitment to inclusivity and celebrate the diversity of all its staff and students.
The new crossings have been launched this February to coincide with LGBT History Month.
L-R: Amelia Foo - Second year vet student, Sam Hawkins - UoN SU LGBT+ Officer
Sarah Sharples - Pro-Vice Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion,
James Statton - Fourth year vet student and LGBTQI+ Officer for Nottingham's VetSoc
L-R: Hattie Foster, third year vet student, James Statton, Ali Curzon - Teaching Associate within the Vet School, Amelia Foo, with dogs Dolly, Flo and Izzy at the back
Testing out the new crossing
The University has most recently installed a rainbow outside the Gateway Building on its Sutton Bonington campus, and students and staff from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science were joined by some four-legged friends, to mark the occasion.
The crossings feature the same colours used in the Pride flag, with the additional inclusion of black and brown stripes to recognise the intersectional relationship between the LGBT+ and black and multi-ethnic (BME) communities.
Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University, said the rainbow crossings are a powerful symbol of the university’s commitment to inclusion and reinforced its partnership with Nottingham City Council.
She added: “The suggestion for the crossings came directly from our Students’ Union and we were delighted to be able to work together with them to make these crossings a reality.
“Our Nottingham campuses are a key part of the experience of being a University of Nottingham student or staff member, and I know that for me, when I see them, the crossings will remind me of the University’s support for our LGBTQ+ students and staff, and our commitment towards equality, diversity and inclusion which will make the university better for us all.”
The crossings are designed to demonstrate that the university is taking steps to make those from minority backgrounds more visible on its campuses and challenge the barriers that those students may face. The initiative also aims to raise the profile of its staff and student LGBT+ networks.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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