What is a Publication Scheme?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires every public authority to adopt a publication scheme. This Act promotes greater openness and accountability by requiring all public authorities, including Universities, to make information available. | |
A publication scheme is a document which sets out the kinds of information that a public authority makes routinely available, or intends to publish. It also specifies how the information it describes can be accessed and whether a charge will be made. | |
The University of Surrey has adopted the model publication scheme prepared for the higher education sector and is committed to publishing the information it describes. The publication scheme is intended to help staff, students, prospective students and members of the public to find the information they are interested in. | |
About the University of Surrey | |
The University of Surrey was established in 1966 with the grant of its Royal Charter, but its roots go back to Battersea Polytechnic – a late nineteenth century solution to provide greater access to further and higher education for the ‘poorer inhabitants’ of London. | |
The University of Surrey is an international university with a worldwide reputation for excellence in teaching and research. It offers students a unique combination of high academic standards, employment success and a prime location in beautiful surroundings, yet with ease of access to London. At the same time, the University is home to one of the most successful Research Parks in Europe. | |
Accessing information included in the Publication Scheme | |
The Publication Scheme is available in paper or through the University of Surrey website at http://www.surrey.ac.uk. | |
Most of the information described in the Publication Scheme is available online through the University of Surrey website and a direct link is provided from the scheme to the relevant piece of information. Occasionally the link will be to the website of an external organisation (such as to HESA – the Higher Education Statistics Agency). In these cases, provision of the information is the responsibility of that organisation and not of the University. | |
The University of Surrey is currently updating its website, which may cause some links to break and cease to work temporarily. Should this occur, please notify the Information Compliance Unit who will correct the link or send a hardcopy of the information. | |
Hardcopy information | |
If you don’t have access to the internet, or would prefer to receive the information in hardcopy, please contact the Information Compliance Unit who will arrange for printouts of the relevant web pages to be sent to you. A single copy or printout of the information will be supplied free of charge. | |
A very small amount of the information is available in hardcopy only. Where this is the case, please use the contact details below to request copies. Please give your name, telephone number or email address as well as a postal address so that the University can clarify your request if necessary and arrange for copies of the information to be sent to you. | |
Other formats | |
If you have a disability and require information to be presented in a particular format, please contact the Information Compliance Unit. | |
To request information made available through the Publication Scheme please contact: | |
Information Compliance Unit | |
University of Surrey | |
Guildford | |
Surrey | |
GU2 7XH | |
Layout of the Publication Scheme | |
The Publication Scheme has been divided into seven sections, based upon the model publication scheme for the higher education sector: | |
1. |
Who we are and what we do |
2. |
What we spend and how we spend it |
3. |
What our priorities are and how we are doing |
4. |
How we make decisions |
5. |
Our policies and procedures |
6. |
Lists and registers |
7. |
The services we offer |
Each section contains classes of information. For each class the publication scheme contains a description of the information published by the University which fits into that class, the format in which the information is available and whether a charge will be made for supplying that information. | |
Information not covered by the Publication Scheme | |
The University of Surrey has tried to include as much information as possible in the publications scheme. However, information may be withheld from the classes within the publication scheme where an exemption in the Freedom of Information Act legitimately applies. This applies to: | |
• |
Information which can identify living individuals, the processing of which is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998 |
• |
Information that could jeopardise the health and safety of staff, students or the public |
• |
Information that might prejudice the University’s commercial interests |
• |
Information relating to the prevention or detection of crime or the prosecution of offenders |
• |
Information relating to investigations that might lead to legal proceedings |
• |
Information held under obligation of confidentiality |
• |
Information that is held elsewhere or that is intended for publication at a later date |
If you wish to request access to information held by the University that has not been made available through the publication scheme, you can do so under the Freedom of Information Act. | |
On receipt of a written request, the University will deal with your request under the Freedom of Information Act and within 20 working days. | |
Copyright | |
The information supplied through the publication scheme is protected by copyright. Where the copyright belongs to the University of Surrey the information may be used for personal non-commercial use. It is not to be modified, reproduced, transmitted, published, or otherwise made available without the consent of the University. Should the University give consent to re-use the information, the University must be credited as such. | |
Feedback and Comments | |
If you find any problems with the scheme or there are any areas that require further explanation, please let us know. We welcome suggestions on how our publication scheme can be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent to: | |
Information Compliance Unit | |
Business Support Services | |
Library | |
University of Surrey | |
Guildford | |
Surrey | |
GU2 7XH | |
If the University is unable to resolve any complaint, you should contact the Information Commissioner who overseas the Freedom of Information Act at: | |
Information Commissioner’s Office | |
Wycliffe House | |
Water Lane | |
Wilmslow | |
Cheshire SK9 5AF | |
Further information is available at: http://www.ico.gov.uk/ | |
This page was last updated on 15 July 2010 | |