The University of Aberdeen Publication Scheme
Guide to Information published by the University of Aberdeen
Last reviewed November 2019
1. Introduction |
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Where information is not published under this scheme, you can request it from us under FOISA or, in the case of environmental information, the EI(S)Rs.
Aberdeen University has adopted the model publication scheme (MPS) produced and approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner, who is responsible for enforcing FOISA. Our Guide to Information will be formerly reviewed and updated on an annual basis by the Information Governance Committee (IGC). Membership includes the University Secretary and senior management and academic leads. Day to day management and quality assurance of the scheme will be administered by the Data Protection Officer and FOI team. Further details about the model publication scheme may be found on the Commissioner’s own website – Model Publication Scheme or by contacting us at the address below. This Guide to Information was prepared by the Scottish Higher Education Information Practitioners Group (SHEIP), under the auspices of Universities Scotland's Secretaries’ Group. We have made a commitment to publish all information which we hold which falls within the classes of information in the scheme. We are obliged by FOISA to have due regard to the public interest in providing access to the information that we hold which relates to:
This Guide to Information describes the information which we publish in accordance with the scheme and provides details of how to access the information and what it may cost. The guide also contains details of the environmental information that we routinely make available under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (the EI(S)Rs). |
2. Accessing information under the scheme - Availability and Formats |
Our Guide to Information provides more details of the information available under the scheme, along with additional guidance on how the information falling within each of the MPS “classes” may be accessed. Online: Alternative arrangements are available for people who do not wish to, or who cannot, access the information online, or by inspection at the University's premises. We can arrange to send out information in paper copy on request (although there may be a charge for this). By email: foi@abdn.ac.uk By phone: By post: Freedom of Information Officer Library, Special Collections & Museums When writing to us to request information, please include your name and address, full details of the information or documents you would like to receive, and any fee applicable (see Section 4- Our charging policy for further information on fees). Please also include a telephone number so we can telephone you to clarify any details, if necessary. By inspection at our premises: If you are still having trouble finding any document listed under our scheme, then please contact us for further assistance. Details of how to contact us may be found in Section 8 -Contact Us |
3. Information that we may withhold |
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4. Our Charging Policy |
ChargesReproduction Charges:Where charges are applied, photocopied information will be charged at a standard rate of 10p per A4 side of paper (black and white copy) and 30p per A4 side for colour copy paper. For digital formats: CD Roms will be charged at £1.00 per disc. Memory sticks (USB sticks) will be charged at £5.00 per stick. Postage Charges:We will pass on postage charges to the requester at the cost to the University of sending the information by first class post. Charges for University pre-printed publications:For pre-printed publications, we may charge no more than the cost to us, per copy, to have the publication printed, plus postage. This charging policy does not include our commercial publications, which are offered for sale through retail outlets, bookshops, academic journal websites and our online store. Details of these publications including pricing are available in Class 8 of our publication scheme. Charges for information available by requestWe may charge for unpublished information provided in response to your information request. There will be no charge to you if the cost to the University, to provide the information to you, is £100, or less If the cost to us is between £100 - £600 to provide the information to you, we may ask you to pay 10% of the cost of providing it. In calculating any charge, staff time will be calculated at actual cost per staff member hourly salary rate to a maximum of £15 per person per hour. We do not charge for the time to determine whether we hold the requested information, or for the time it takes to decide whether the information can be released. Charges may be made for locating, retrieving and providing information to you. If the cost to the University exceeds £600, the University may ask you to pay for the additional cost, over this limit, in full. The University may refuse to deal with any request for non-environmental information which will cost more than £600 to provide. Fee NoticesIf we do intend to make a charge, you will be advised of the charge and how it has been calculated, in the form of a Fee Notice, before we send the information. The Fee Notice will also inform you on how to pay the fee to the University. We will also offer advice and guidance to assist with narrowing your request to reduce or avoid charges altogether. Once you receive a Fee Notice, you can decide whether to pay for the information, or take up our offer of advice and guidance. Please note that if we do not hear from you within 20 working days of issue of a Fee Notice, the University will assume that your request for information has been withdrawn. Charges for your own personal dataThe University does not charge a fee for processing requests for your own personal data, also known as a Subject Access Request, in terms of the Data Protection Act 2018. The University's Data Protection Policy is accessible from our Policy Zone.Charges for re-use of the University of Aberdeen's public sector information The University of Aberdeen complies with the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015 (PSI) and we encourage the re-use of the information produced, held and disseminated by the University Library, Special Collections and Museums. We may levy a charge for re-use of information that we produce, hold or disseminate. Charges are based on the direct costs of supplying the information, and a reasonable apportionment of indirect and overhead costs. Further details are available from our Re-Use of Public Sector Information Statement. |
5. Our Copyright and Re-Use Policy |
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6. Records Management and Archiving Policy |
Information is managed and archived, where applicable, in line with the University’s Records Management Policy and associated retention/disposal schedules. Records with significant evidential or historical value will be transferred to the University Archives for permanent preservation. Further details on our policies and management framework are available at - University Records Management |
7. How to access information which is not available under this scheme |
Freedom of Information Officer Library, Special Collections & Museums Email: foi@abdn.ac.uk For requests for your own personal data
►Requests for personal information relating to living identifiable individuals come under the Data Protection Act 2018 and requests for information should be directed to: Data Protection Officer Library, Special Collections & Museums Email: dpa@abdn.ac.uk |
8. Contact Us |
You can contact us for assistance with any aspect of this guide or publication scheme. We welcome feedback on ways in which we can improve and develop our scheme further. Please tell us about;
Please send your comments and suggestions to; Freedom of Information Officer Library, Special Collections & Museums email: foi@abdn.ac.uk |
9. Complaints |
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10. Classes of Information |
If you wish to receive a paper copy, please contact the Freedom of Information Officer. See Section 8 - Contact Us for details. |