Diversity
Alcohol |STIs and safer sex | HIV and AIDS | Pregnancy | Sexuality | Mental Health| Drugs | Diversity
Equal Opportunities
Every student at Imperial College has the right to equal access and equal opportunities. 
Both the Union and the College as a whole seek to create a healthy environment at College, so we can all live, work and relax together in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.
The Equal Opportunities Officer is charged with monitoring equal opportunity issues and coming up with initiatives to promote them.
Harassment
Imperial College and the Union take any form of discrimination or harassment extremely seriously. Harassment comes in many forms and can arise because of the recipient’s gender, sexual orientation, race, beliefs, age, disability, or for many other reasons. It may manifest as anything from comments, offensive jokes, and ridicule through to threats and actual physical violence. What some might see as joking, others will view as obvious harassment, and in reality, only the person at the receiving end can judge the seriousness of the case. If you are upset and feel that you’re being harassed in any way, do not suffer in silence; tell someone!
Women’s Issues
Female students account for around 30% of the student population at Imperial. Hence they might feel like a minority and may want to seek advice from a woman. One of the College Tutors, Dr. Anna Thomas-Betts, has special responsibility for female students. The Union adviser, Nigel Cooke, can also take up any issues in concern and put you in touch with the appropriate person.
Religion
All forms of religion are about identity, daily life and questions of ultimate meaning. These are powerful influences upon a person and it is important to recognise that this positive influence can also be abused.
Generally, be cautious when joining religious groups off campus, but specifically beware of any group that offers easy answers, that wants your money or too much of your time, that does not value your studies, friends and family, or that is secretive or dishonest.
Cults want individuals that are intelligent, idealistic, economically advantaged and intellectually or spiritually curious. Students are often targeted and universities become a perfect place from which to recruit.
The methods used to get people to join are sophisticated. There are numerous mind control techniques used, which may involve guilt, peer pressure, isolation or altered dress. Cult leaders often appear to have easy answers to difficult problems and use this as a way to recruit people to join. The techniques used don’t just work on those with difficulties, they can work on anyone – even the most strong willed – but cult members will exploit your problems and your vulnerability in order to recruit you.
For further advice contact the Chaplaincy Centre or INFORM, an independent charity that monitors new religious movements, on 020 7955 7677.
