1-11 Introduction to the publication scheme
Provides general information about the publication scheme.
1. Introductory information
The University of Abertay Dundee is committed to demonstrating openness and transparency and to serving the public interest by allowing public access to information relating to the services it provides, the costs of providing them, the standards attained and the reasons for the decisions that it takes.
This Publication Scheme was prepared under the requirements of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), which requires Scottish Public Authorities to adopt and maintain such a Scheme, and to publish information in accordance with that Scheme. The University has adopted the revised Model Publication Scheme developed by Universities Scotland on behalf of the higher education sector and approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide you with details of the range of information that we routinely publish. The scheme also provides details of how you can access this information, and tells you whether it is available free, or if there is a charge for the information.
Alongside FOISA, the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs) provide a separate right of access to the environmental information that we hold. This publication scheme also contains details of the environmental information that we routinely make available.
2. About UAD
The University of Abertay Dundee was established by the University of Abertay Dundee (Scotland) Order of Council 1994 and was originally founded as Dundee Technical Institute in 1888. The main objectives of the University are to provide education, undertake and carry out research, and to make suitable and adequate provision for teaching, learning, scholarship and research.
The University is governed by the University Court, which has overall responsibility for the University’s strategic direction, for conducting the affairs of the University and for carrying out and promoting its objectives. In addition to the work of Court itself, Court has established a number of committees that take forward certain aspects of its work, including the Audit Committee, the Chairman's Committee, the Estates & Campus Services Committee, the Finance, People & General Purposes Committee and the Health & Safety Committee.
The University Senate is responsible for the overall planning, co-ordination, development and supervision of the academic work of the University. Senate's responsibilities in this regard are delegated by the University Court, to which Senate is subject to general control and direction. Senate has also established a number of committees that take forward certain aspects of its work, including the Quality Assurance Committee, Quality Enhancement Committee, Planning & Resources Committee, Research Committee, Research Degrees Committee.
3. Formulating the scheme
The Model Publication Scheme adopted by the University was prepared under the auspices of Universities Scotland's Freedom of Information Working Group. The Working Group made a consultation draft available to all member institutions. It also made the draft available to the trades unions recognised by Universities Scotland member institutions, and to The National Union of Students and the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland. Universities Scotland also consulted with the Scottish Consumer Council.
4. Responsibility for the publication scheme
Overall responsibility for this Publication Scheme rests with the Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. The Secretary to Court and Head of Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Scheme and should be contacted in the first instance if you have any questions or queries regarding the Scheme. Their contact details are provided below:
Professor N Terry
Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor
University of Abertay Dundee
Bell Street
Dundee
DD1 1HG
Telephone: 01382 308016
5. Withheld information
The University is committed to the concepts of openness and transparency that are enshrined in Freedom of Information legislation and will therefore not withhold information unnecessarily through the use of exemptions.
However, we may withhold information from any of the categories of information listed in the Publication Scheme where we consider that disclosure may seriously prejudice law enforcement, legal proceedings or our regulatory or enforcement activity or where the disclosure is otherwise prohibited by law. In addition, we may withhold information if its disclosure would breach the law of confidentiality or seriously prejudice the commercial interests of any person or organisation, including statistical information in cases where small numbers may allow the identification of individuals. Finally, we may also withhold information that is personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998.
In such cases, we will withhold the information and indicate why the information is being withheld. If you wish to complain about information that is being withheld from you, please read the section below dealing with complaints.
6. Records management and archiving policy
The University manages its student records in a manner consistent with its Archiving Policy for Student Records. Abertay is currently reviewing its approach to records management and to the archiving of other forms of records in the light of sector-wide best practice. However, at present, each of the University’s Schools and Services manages its own records and archives in accordance with statutory and other requirements.
7. Copyright
Information obtained from the Publication Scheme can be copied or reproduced without formal permission provided it is copied or reproduced accurately, it is not used in a misleading context and provided that the source of the material is identified and the copyright status acknowledged. Where the copyright holder in relation to information set out in this Publication Scheme is a third party you are advised to contact that party before copying the information concerned.
8. Accessing information under the publication scheme
Availability
The University will make available the information set out in this Publication Scheme in online and hard copy formats.
Making an information request
Most of the information listed in our Publication Scheme is available from the
University’s website. These pages are fully searchable and feature hotlinks that will take you to the relevant page or document. It is anticipated that the majority of individuals who have access to the Internet will be able to obtain the information they require in this manner.
If the information you request is not available on the website, but is listed in our Publication Scheme, we will send it to you by email wherever practicable.
You may also request information that is included in the Scheme by telephone, post and/or email. It is important when submitting a request that you give us your name, address and contact details and that you provide as much detail as possible about the information that you wish to access, for example by referring to the relevant section of the Scheme and the category of information concerned. Where the Publication Scheme indicates that there is a charge for the information concerned you must also submit payment of the appropriate fee.
The information in the University’s Publication Scheme is also available in the University Library. Individuals seeking information under the Scheme may also visit the University to access this information by reporting to the Library Helpdesk. There are certain categories of information that can only be accessed in this manner. It would be helpful if you were able to call the Library Helpdesk in advance if you wish to make a personal visit to view the information.
All requests for information referred to in the University’s Publication Scheme should be made to:
Freedom of Information Requests
Library Helpdesk
University Library
University of Abertay Dundee
Dundee DD1 1HG
Telephone: 01382 308833
Email:
foidesk@abertay.ac.uk
If you have difficulty identifying the information that you would like to access, are having problems formulating your request or would like to access information that you believe is held by the University but does not appear to be included in its Publication Scheme, you should contact:
Sheena Stewart
Secretary to Court and Head of Secretariat
University of Abertay Dundee
Bell Street
Dundee DD1 1HG
Telephone: 01382 308040
Information in alternative formats
The University is happy to provide information in other formats in terms of its compliance with the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act. Please indicate with your request any particular needs you might have in terms of the provision of information in, for example, electronic format, large print etc.
Timescales for the provision of information
The University will normally aim to provide any information that is included in its Publication Scheme within five working days of the receipt of a request and will respond to all requests for information within the 20 day maximum set out in the Act.
9. Charging policy
Information in the University’s Publication Scheme that is either provided through its website, or can be emailed to you, is available free of charge.
Where you request information in hard copy format, or visit the University and require a photocopy of that information, the University will normally only impose a charge if the information concerned exceeds 50 A4 pages. Where a charge is levied it will be consistent with the University’s current open access photocopying rates.
If you require information in alternative formats as a result of disability the charging arrangements will be as for hard copy format (i.e. a charge will only be made if the size of the document exceeds 50 A4 pages and the maximum fee payable will not exceed that which would have been levied for photocopies.
10. Complaints about the publication scheme
Informal stage
In the first instance you should raise your complaint on an informal basis with the University Library Helpdesk using the contact details set out in paragraph 13 above. It is anticipated that the vast majority of complaints should be able to be resolved at this stage.
Formal stage 1
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint at the informal stage, you may raise it in writing with the University Secretary, who will contact you to discuss the matter and attempt to resolve it.
Formal stage 2
If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of your complaint you should write to the University Secretary requesting that it be referred to the University Court. Court will normally establish a sub-group of lay members, which will meet with you to hear your complaint and seek to resolve it. This will be the final stage of the procedure.
You should note that you have the right at any time to refer your complaint to the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner if you are not satisfied with the University’s response.
11. Feedback
As part of its arrangements for reviewing the working of its Publication Scheme, the University welcomes comments on its Scheme. The University’s online Scheme therefore features a link to an online questionnaire where users can provide feedback, while members of the public accessing the Scheme through other means are provided with a brief feedback questionnaire.
Both questionnaires seek comments on the Publication Scheme itself, the ease with which information was located and on whether there is any additional information that they would like to be made available through the Scheme.
