To path indicator Subpages of “SchuDS“ To navigation To quick access To footer with other services
To content
Logo Stabsstelle Chancengleichheit, Familie und Vielfalt
Colorful bubbles appear in small and large colors. © Canva

Awareness

TU Dortmund University is a place where many people with different realities, experiences, backgrounds, and positions come together. We aim to approach this diversity sensitively and professionally. It is important to us that everyone on campus feels respected and comfortable.

Awareness - what do we mean by this?

Awareness means attention, perception, and consciousness. With the awareness of everyone involved, a space should be created in which discriminatory behavior is prevented, active steps are taken against it, and affected persons receive support from an awareness team if needed.

As every event is different, it is advisable to develop an awareness concept tailored specifically to the event. SchuDS is happy to advise you on the concrete implementation of awareness work.

The following aspects can be considered for an awareness concept (and can also serve as inspiration):

  • We respect the diversity of the university community, including different opinions, backgrounds, positions, and lifestyles.
  • We recognize that we all have different and individual perspectives. We try to understand other people’s perspectives, avoid generalizations and stereotypes (e.g., “typically male, typically female”), and handle sensitive topics responsibly.
  • We all make mistakes. If discriminatory language or statements occur, we address them through constructive comments. We are open to constructive criticism and accept it.
  • Not every disadvantage, impairment, or disability is visible. Our own idea of “normality” does not necessarily correspond to that of others.
  • Together, we want to create a non‑discriminatory, non‑judgmental space in which everyone feels welcome and respected. All participants share responsibility for this. We therefore treat each other with respect and appreciation and communicate politely and constructively. Necessary criticism is expressed as objectively and situationally as possible.
  • We respect the privacy of others and ensure that we do not communicate in ways that violate boundaries, including via email. We keep confidential information private.
  • We encourage all participants to communicate their pronouns (including the use of no pronouns) and respect them.
  • We seek constructive and communicative ways to resolve conflicts and problems. We use the available institutional mechanisms for conflict resolution (e.g., awareness team, supervisors, the Central Counseling Center for Protection against Discrimination and Sexualized Violence (SchuDS), complaints offices, etc.).
  • All participants are encouraged to take an active part in discussions — none of us knows everything, but together we know a lot.
  • We do not tolerate any form of discrimination, abuse of power, harassment, or sexualized violence. The organizing team reserves the right to exclude participants from the event if necessary.
  • We use TU facilities, rooms, and resources responsibly and attach great importance to the sustainable use of materials and energy.

There should be an awareness team at the event. Members of this team are impartial and offer those affected by discrimination or sexualized violence the opportunity to retreat to a counseling room, reflect on the situation, and — if desired by the affected person — intervene with the person causing harm.

The awareness team should be easily recognizable, for example through signal vests or name tags. Depending on the type of event, the team may be located at a fixed point, move around the event, or both. Depending on the event, contact via mobile phone may also be useful. All contact is confidential and can be anonymous if desired.

Throughout the event, there should be a place to retreat. This is where confidential conversations can take place or where affected persons can rest. The awareness team clarifies together with the affected person what they currently need (conversation, contacting friends or relatives, etc.). The room can also be used for conversations with the person causing harm. The room is known to the awareness team and supervised by them.

An awareness bag containing items such as hygiene products (pads and tampons), plasters, water, glucose, tissues, stress balls, etc. can be helpful.

Such a bag can be borrowed from the Equal Opportunities, Family and Diversity Office. Borrowing is possible by prior appointment (schudstu-dortmundde).

To organize an event with as little discrimination and as few barriers as possible, the awareness team should use posters and notices to inform guests and participants about the awareness offer, contact options, and the Code of Conduct.

Basic information about the event should be made available online and should also include information about the awareness concept.

Awareness work does not replace the police, emergency services, psychologists, or security personnel. The goal is the well‑being of all event participants. The awareness team is not a general complaints office. The awareness team should be familiar with the contact details of relevant counseling and complaints centers (see “Helpful telephone numbers”).