Sustainable Development Policies

10.6.2

Policy on Access to University for Underrepresented Groups

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure equitable access to higher education at the University of Thessaly (UTh) for underrepresented and potentially underrepresented groups. The Policy establishes mechanisms to measure, monitor, and improve the participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds in the University’s application and admissions processes, in alignment with Law 4443/2016, Law 4186/2013, and EU equality directives. It also supports the University’s mission to promote social inclusion, diversity, and fairness in accordance with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to all academic programs of the University of Thessaly — undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and lifelong learning — including special admission routes, preparatory programs, and mobility initiatives. It concerns all stages of the admission cycle: application, evaluation, selection, enrollment, and retention monitoring.

3. Definitions

Underrepresented Groups: Populations that are historically or currently less represented in higher education. These include, but are not limited to:
– Ethnic and cultural minorities
– Students from low-income or economically disadvantaged backgrounds
– Non-traditional or mature students
– Women in STEM and other gender-imbalanced fields
– LGBTQI+ students
– Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses
– Newly settled refugee and migrant students
Access and Participation Monitoring: The systematic collection, analysis, and reporting of data on applications, admissions, and enrollment to identify and address disparities in representation.

4. Policy Statement

1. The University of Thessaly is committed to promoting equal access and participation of underrepresented groups in all academic programs.
   2. UTh shall implement data collection mechanisms to track applications, admissions, and enrollment statistics disaggregated by gender, socioeconomic background, disability status, and other relevant demographic indicators.
   3. The University will publish annual inclusion metrics and trends as part of its institutional equality report, ensuring transparency and accountability.
   4. Outreach, mentoring, and preparatory programs shall be developed to support prospective students from underrepresented groups, particularly those from low-income or refugee backgrounds.
   5. All communications, recruitment campaigns, and admissions materials will reflect inclusive language and imagery that encourage participation from diverse communities.
   6. Data collection and reporting shall comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and national data privacy laws.
   7. Findings from monitoring exercises shall inform targeted actions and policies for widening participation and equity of access.
   8. After having established above points, the Univeristy will go a step further: The terms groups and representation will be reviewed and possibly revised towards identifying specific barriers (not necessarily associated with group membership) that hinder individuals’ equal access and participation in academic programs.

5. Implementation and Responsibilities

– The University shall collect and maintain disaggregated data on applications and admissions.
– The University shall analyze participation indicators and prepare annual reports.
– The University shall evaluate progress and recommend interventions to enhance diversity and equity.
– The Rector shall oversee implementation and resource allocation.
– The Governing Council shall review the outcomes annually and approve corrective actions.

6. Monitoring and Review

The University shall conduct an annual review of participation data and inclusion indicators. This Policy shall be reviewed every three (3) years or earlier if required by legislative or institutional changes.

7. Related Documents / References

Law 4443/2016 on Equal Treatment;
Law 4186/2013 on Access to Higher Education;
Law 3699/2008 on Special Education and Inclusion;
EU Directive 2000/78/EC on Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation;
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, Articles 21–23;
UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.3 (Equal Access to Higher Education);
University of Thessaly Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy;
European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).