Introduction
1. What is a publication scheme?
Adopting and maintaining a publication scheme is a
requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This Act promotes
greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring
all public authorities, defined in the Act to include universities, to
make information available as a matter of course.
A publication scheme is a document which describes the different types
of information a public authority routinely publishes or intends to publish.
The scheme must also make clear how the information it describes can be
accessed and whether or not charges will be made.
The University of Bath has modified and developed the model publication
scheme prepared for the higher and further education sector to reflect
its own organisation and operations, and is committed to publishing the
information it describes.
2. The University of Bath
The University of Bath was founded by Royal Charter
in 1966 and is recognised by the British Government for the award of first
and higher degrees. The University is a member of the Association of Commonwealth
Universities, Universities UK and the European Universities Association,
and has links with prestigious higher education institutions in Europe,
North and South America, and Asia.
The University of Bath is an internationally renowned research University
offering high quality teaching in an innovative learning environment.
It attracts eminent scholars and outstanding students from a global recruitment
market.
The University aims to be as open as possible in all its business and
to share information about its activities.
3. Accessing information covered by the publication
scheme
The University of Bath has conducted an extensive
review of the information that it makes routinely available. This publication
scheme is the result of that review and aims to be as inclusive as possible.
The publication scheme is available in two formats: on the University
of Bath website at http://www.bath.ac.uk/foi/ and on paper.
For ease of access to its contents the scheme has been divided into nine
sections as follows:
- Structure and management
- Financial resources
- Human resources
- Physical resources
- Student administration and support
- Information services
- Learning and teaching
- Research and development
- External relations
Each section contains several categories of
information which, in turn, contain information classes. Classes of information
have been grouped with other related classes to make searching for a specific
type of information easier. An index of information classes is appended
to the paper version of the publication scheme. For each class the publication
scheme describes the format(s) in which the information is available and
whether a charge will be made for supplying that information.
Accessing information in electronic format:
In most cases the information included in the publication scheme is available
electronically via the World Wide Web and a direct link is provided from
the scheme to the relevant piece of information. When the link cited is
to the website of another organisation (e.g. Higher Education Statistics
Agency - HESA) provision of the information is the responsibility of that
organisation and not of the University. Information covered by the publication
scheme is made available on the University of Bath website free of charge
unless otherwise specified.
Accessing information in paper format:
All information, whether paper or web-based, may be provided in hard copy
format on request. A single copy or printout of any document (other than
databases) will be supplied free of charge. Charges may be made for the
supply of further copies of the same document. The University may also
charge for postage and packing.
To request information made available through the University of Bath publication
scheme please contact:
L. Richmond, FOI Co-ordinator
University of Bath
Claverton Down
Bath BA2 7AY
e-mail: freedom-of-information@bath.ac.uk
4. Information not included in the publication scheme
We have tried to include as much information as possible
in the publication scheme. However, certain types of information either
do not appear in the scheme or have been deleted from documents listed
in the scheme. The University will not publish:
- Information about living individuals (including, but not limited to,
members of staff, students or research subjects) the processing of which
is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.
- Information that might jeopardize the health and safety of staff,
students or the public.
- Information that might prejudice the University's commercial interests.
- Information that would prejudice the prevention or detection of crime
or the prosecution of offenders.
- Information concerning legal proceedings or investigations being carried
out by the University that might lead to criminal or civil proceedings.
- Information held under obligation of confidentiality.
- Information that is published elsewhere or that is intended for publication
at a later date (e.g. draft versions of documents, information subject
to amendment or approval by the appropriate University body)
The information included in the publication scheme
generally represents the most recent approved version available. The scheme
is not retrospective. Information will not usually be made available through
the scheme indefinitely and is liable to be removed when it is no longer
current. For more details of historical information relating to the University,
please contact the FOI Co-ordinator.
With effect from 1st January 2005 members of the public have the right,
under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to request access to any information
held by the University which it has not already made available through
its publication scheme.
On receipt of a written request, the University's obligations under the
Act will be met by informing any enquirer whether it holds the information
in question and if it does, subject to exemptions, by supplying that information
to the enquirer, or making arrangements for the enquirer to inspect the
information, within 20 working days.
5. Feedback and comments
It is important that this publication scheme meets
your needs. The scheme will be reviewed periodically and the University
would welcome suggestions as to how it might be improved. Any questions,
comments or complaints should be sent in writing to:
The Secretary
University of Bath
Claverton Down
Bath BA2 7AY
If the University is not able to resolve a complaint
you should contact the Information Commissioner who oversees the implementation
of the Freedom of Information Act.
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
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