In higher education, faced with the law to control immigration, do the missions for equality and against discrimination still make sense?

by the Conférence Permanente des Chargés de Mission Egalité-Diversité de l'Enseignement Supérieur (CPED)

This article was published in Le Monde online, on January 1, 2024 (to access Le Monde's article)

Internationally, universities are developing inclusive policies, summed up in three words: equality, diversity, inclusion. In France, since 2013, universities have been obliged to create gender equality missions. Extending this obligation, the majority of them include in their scope the fight against discrimination in the same way as the fight against sexual and sexist violence or harassment.

The adoption of the "law to control immigration, improve integration". of December 19, 2023 raises questions about the relevance of our missions. Can the presidency of a university or the management of a grande école still appoint colleagues to implement equality and anti-discrimination policies, at a time when a law is instituting unequal treatment of the student community based on the criterion of nationality?

How can we respond to the contradictory demands of a government that asks us to work towards inclusion, to formalize and implement action plans for equality, to institute and operate mechanisms for listening to and reporting acts of violence, discrimination and harassment, while at the same time introducing legislation that weakens our most vulnerable students?

A shocking breach of equality

How can we still simply talk about equality and non-discrimination, fight racism and anti-Semitism head on (as we did at our last meetings in Nanterre, on December 7 and 8, 2023), commit ourselves to the design and implementation of an ambitious equality policy, with students to whom the law clearly indicates that they are objects of suspicion?

In addition to the loss of confidence in our institutions, our foreign students will live in anxiety and fear, as the law weakens their right to residency. And we're not forgetting that these feelings also affect our colleagues, as well as foreign administrative and technical staff, who run our higher education and research establishments on fixed-term contracts, and who will all find themselves even more vulnerable depending on the nature of their contract, length of stay, etc.Add to your selections

This breach of equality is truly shocking, and runs counter to every incentive to make our campuses protective and protected spaces where hospitality, trust and benevolence guide our interactions. Our presence on the ground at universities and grandes écoles makes us direct witnesses to the difficulties encountered by foreign students, despite the measures taken by the establishments to welcome them with dignity and offer them total equality of treatment.

The law institutes unequal treatment

It also enables us to anticipate a number of perverse effects of the law in the areas in which we intervene. A law that institutes unequal treatment can only reinforce the power relations that already exist in higher education and research, for example between doctoral students and their research supervisors, or between internship tutors and interns.

Among the painful cases we have to deal with as part of our support procedures for victims of violence, harassment and discrimination, the example of foreign students who don't know how to refuse the advances of a teacher for fear of not validating their year or not getting a doctoral contract is a recurrent one.

Similarly, difficulties in accessing housing are at the root of situations of domestic violence by women. "Lodgers malicious: policies that create insecurity are fertile ground for aggressors who take advantage of vulnerabilities. This law risks reinforcing the difficulty of refusing behavior that we know thrives among the most vulnerable populations, especially the precarious and isolated.

A challenge to our mission

Worse still, it risks generating new vulnerabilities and new forms of discrimination. There is a real risk of sexual harassment, for example, in the form of obtaining accommodation or a certificate to renew a residence permit in exchange for sexual favors.

The reaction of incomprehension in the face of such a text, in terms of both its content and its effects, is unanimous among the staff involved in our missions, both at the level of the vice-presidents of the establishments and among those in charge of missions, referents working on equality between women and men, the fight against sexist, sexual and homophobic violence, and against all types of discrimination.

The missions entrusted to us are aimed precisely at the inclusion of all, an inclusion that can only be effective in the context of constant promotion of equality and diversity. We are convinced of this, and work on this basis every day. But over and above the provisions likely to affect the student community and higher education staff alone, such a law contradicts the values that guide us, and profoundly questions each and every one of us as to its usefulness and the meaning of its actions.

Philippe Liotard

President of the Conférence permanente des chargées et chargés de mission égalité-diversité de l'enseignement supérieur (Permanent Conference of Equality and Diversity Officers in Higher Education)

Signatories:

Name		Position	Establishment
Adda	Fanny	Anti-discrimination and secularism referent	Sciences Po Paris
Alazard	Florence	Vice-president in charge of working conditions, social and human relations, disability and anti-discrimination.	University of Tours
Asset	Sarah	Director of Student and Campus Life	PSL University
Benoit-Moreau	Florence	Vice President, Student Life and Social Responsibility	PSL University
Berthonneau	Claire	Equality and anti-discrimination officer	Clermont Auvergne University
Béteau	Jean-François	Co-head of Equality	Grenoble INP - UGA
Blidon	Marianne	Equality and Diversity Officer	University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Bluteau	Hélène	In charge of the Equality between women and men and the fight against gender-based, sexist and sexual violence.	Sorbonne Paris Nord University.
Bohuon	Anaïs	Gender Equality Project Manager	Paris-Saclay University
Bonnin	Marie	Equality Representative	Le Havre Normandie University
Boratav	Sarah	Equality-Diversity Project Manager	Paris-Saclay University
Bourbon	Nicolas	Equality and Non-Discrimination Mission	University of Paris Nanterre
Bouriot	Béatrice	Gender Equality Officer	UTBM Belfort
Bretin	Hélène	In charge of the Equality between women and men and the fight against gender-based, sexist and sexual violence.	Sorbonne Paris Nord University.
Briand	Philippe	Vice-Chairman of the Board in charge of Human Resources	Savoie Mont Blanc University
Brunet Touchard	Elise	project manager, mission égalité	Toulouse Capitole University
Bui-Xuan	Olivia	Vice-President in charge of Equality, Anti-discrimination and Diversity	Evry University
Burgaud	Stéphanie	Deputy Director of Equalities and Student Life	Sciences Po Toulouse
Coal merchant	Élodie	Equality, diversity and inclusion officer	University of Nîmes
Chavrier	Didier	Vice-Chairman responsible for equality, diversity, inclusion and quality of life at work, secularism, racism and anti-Semitism.	University of Orléans
Chazalon	Elodie	Vice-President in charge of Equality and QVCT	La Rochelle University
Christin	Clémence	Vice-president in charge of equality, parity and civic life	Caen University
Colisson	Pascale	Representative for Equality, the fight against discrimination, sexist and sexual violence and hazing	Université Dauphine I PSL
Corbion	Lycette	Equality officer	Toulouse Capitole University
Courduriès	Jérôme	Head of Gender Equality and the Fight against SGBV	Toulouse Jean Jaurès University
D'haese	Violette	Project Manager, Equality and Anti-Discrimination Mission	Sorbonne University Faculty of Arts
Danet	Anaïs	Equality and diversity officer	University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne
Daubias	Philippe	Equality referent	ENS Lyon
De Bosscher	Sabine	Gender Equality Officer	Lille University
Del Vecchio	Nathalie	Deputy Director of Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility, Faculty of Science and Engineering	Toulouse III Paul Sabatier University
Delmotte	Marine	Gender equality and anti-discrimination project manager	Grenoble Alpes University
Derenemesnil	Maïlys	former gender equality officer	University of Paris Nanterre
Drux	Orlane	Gender equality officer	INSA Rouen Normandie
Dumond	Carole	Head of Quality of Life and Working Conditions, Equality Mission	University of Poitiers
Etiemble	Angélina	Gender and Women's Equality Officer	Le Mans University
Ferré	Nathalie	Responsible for racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination	Sorbonne Paris Nord University
Fleury	Marine	Delegate for equality and the fight against gender discrimination	University of Picardie Jules Verne
Frey	Pascal	Vice President Human Resources, Finance and Digital Services	Sorbonne University
Gambette	Philippe	Co-referent equality ComUE Paris-Est Sup	ComUE Paris-Est Sup
Gasnier	Flore	Referent for the fight against racism and anti-Semitism	Angers University
Gatti	Maxime	In charge of prevention and awareness actions to combat gender-based and sexual violence and all forms of discrimination and harassment.	Grenoble Alpes University
Geneix-Rabault	Stéphanie	MCF-HDR in arts and language sciences, in charge of "equality-diversity" and "racism-anti-Semitism" projects	University of New Caledonia
Gillet	Alison	Gender-based, sexual and homophobic violence officer	University of Haute Alsace
Godfroy	Anne-Sophie	MCF in philosophy, vice-president of CPED	Paris-Est Créteil University
Guillopé	Colette	Honorary member of CPED, in charge of the Parité mission (2011-2016)	Paris-Est Créteil University
Hébert	Clara	In charge of Equalities and Student Life	Sciences Po Toulouse
Herrera	Marta	Equality and diversity referent	Centrale Nantes
Jobert-Martini	Vanina	Vice President Equality and anti-discrimination	Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University
Kivits	Joëlle	Vice-President Equality, Diversity, Inclusion	Université Paris Cité
Kraus	Isabelle	Vice President Equality, Parity, Diversity	University of Strasbourg
Lachgar	Siham	Head of the student services department and head of the campaign against gender-based and sexual violence	AgroParisTech
Lailic	Chloé	Equality Officer	INSA Rennes
Lallemand-Stempak	Nathalie	Deputy Director in charge of societal issues	IAE Paris - University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Lambard	Claire	Diversity and Inclusion Officer	ENS Paris-Saclay
Le Fichant	Françoise	Vice President Social Responsibility	Nantes University
Lebrun	Sylvie	Referent for gender equality	Institut d'Optique Graduate School
Lécuyer	Nolwenn	Honorary member of CPED
Leidwanger	Séverine	Vice-Dean Equality, Diversity, Inclusion	Université Paris Cité Faculty of Science
Lemaire-Patin	Alexis	Gender equality, anti-violence and anti-discrimination officer	Sciences Po Bordeaux
Letellier	Aymma	Equality officer	Caen University
Liotard	Philippe	President of CPED, racism and anti-Semitism referent	Lyon 1 University
Lipani	Marie-Christine	Equality and anti-discrimination officer	Bordeaux Montaigne University
Louargant	Sophie	Vice President, Equality and Anti-Discrimination	Grenoble Alpes University
Makhlouf	Abdenacer	University Professor, Delegate Vice-President for Equality and Diversity	University of Haute Alsace
Merland	Guérande	Equality and Non-Discrimination Mission	University of Paris Nanterre
Meziani	Yamina	Policy & Parity, Equality, Diversity Officer	Bordeaux University
Minet-Letalle	Catherine	Vice-Chairwoman in charge of equality and anti-discrimination and sexual and gender-based violence	Université Littoral Côte d'Opale
Morin messabel	Christine	Vice President Equality and Anti-Discrimination	Lumière Lyon 2 University
Niget	David	Equality officer	Angers University
Sponsor	Anne	Vice-president in charge of equality between women and men	University of Artois
Passirani	Catherine	Vice President International and Equality	Angers University
Pernoud	Hermeline	Equality and diversity project manager	Lille University
Peronnet	Frédérique	Vice-Dean, Human Resources and Social Issues, Faculty of Science and Engineering	Sorbonne University
Petrini	Michela	Equality Advisor to the President of Sorbonne University	Sorbonne University
Piris	Yolande	University Professor, Head of Equality between Men and Women and the Fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence	University of Southern Brittany
Plaud	Cécile	Teacher-researcher in social sciences, member of the anti-discrimination network	ENSTA Bretagne
Doorkeeper	Natacha	Equality referent	ENS Lyon
Quinet	Catherine	Referent for racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination	Sciences Po Lille
Rannoux	Catherine	Vice-president of the Academic Council, in charge of Equality and Diversity	University of Poitiers
Ravet	Hyacinthe	Vice-Dean for Equality and the Fight against Discrimination	Sorbonne University Faculty of Letters
Revenin	Régis	Vice-Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Faculty of Sociétés & Humanités	Université Paris Cité
Sarcinelli	Alice Sophie	Project Manager, Equality Diversity Inclusion	Université Paris Cité's UFR SHS
Saupin	Catherine	Gender Equality Officer	Sciences Po Lille
Schlotterer	Françoise	Respect and Equality Coordinator	Télécom Paris
Schneider	Anne	Secretary of CPED, Equality F/G and anti-discrimination officer	INSPE-Université de Caen-Normandie
Sèdes	Florence	Vice President Corporate Social Responsibility	Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier University
Séjalon-Delmas	Nathalie	Vice President, Environmental and Social Transition	Toulouse University
Smirou	Emmanuelle	Vice-President Equality	Rennes 2 University
Sorokina	Alina	Referent in the fight against gender-based and sexual violence	ComUE University of Lyon
Tchou	Nicoletta	Vice President, Social Responsibility, in charge of equality and anti-discrimination	University of Rennes
Texier-Picard	Rozenn	Honorary member of CPED
Tharaud	Delphine	Referent for Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual and Gender-based Violence	University of Limoges
Thomas	Christelle	Delegate for Social Transition, Diversity & Inclusion	Télécom Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Weaver	Pascal	Vice-President, Equality-Diversity-Inclusion	University of Lorraine
Toulouse	Jeanne	Co-referent for the fight against discrimination, harassment and violence	ENSTA Bretagne
Travert	Arnaud	Vice-president in charge of equality, parity and civic life	Caen University
Trotot	Caroline	Vice-President Equality	Gustave Eiffel University
Van De Bor	Véronique	Vice President, Social Policy, Equality and Diversity	Côte d'Azur University
Vaton	Sandrine	Women and Men Equality Representative	ITM Atlantic
Vuattoux	Arthur	Head of the Equality between women and men, fight against gender-based, sexist and sexual violence department	Sorbonne Paris Nord University.
Zecchi	Violette	Gender equality and anti-discrimination officer, Vice-presidency of Equality	Grenoble Alpes University
Zenati	Fatima	Gender equality officer	University of Paris 8 - Vincennes at Saint-Denis
Zuber	Valentine	Representative for Equality, the fight against discrimination, racism, anti-Semitism and gender-based and sexual violence	École pratique des hautes études-PSL

key words: equality - diversity - inclusion - discrimination - immigration law - universities - higher education