Access non-personal information from the university
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 provide statutory rights to information held by public authorities in an aim to increase openness and accountability across the public sector.
Freedom of Information Policy
The University approved a revised Freedom of Information Policy in September 2019 to support the University's compliance with the legislation.
Information Already Available
Every public authority must have a Publication Scheme. This is a guide to all the information that is routinely published, how the information is made available (much of it is freely available on-line) and whether there is a fee for the information.
How to Request Information
Requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act should be made in writing, providing the name of the applicant, address for correspondence (if sent via post) and a description of the information requested and emailed to foi@keele.ac.uk or, alternatively, sent by post to:
Legal & Information Compliance
Student & Academic Services
Keele University
Staffordshire
ST5 5BG
Requests for personal information fall within the remit of the Data Protection Act 2018; details of how to submit such a request can be found here.
Exemptions
The Act sets out 25 exemptions where the right to access information is prohibited, for example, where it relates to personal information, commercial interests or where the information is already accessible by another means. If this is the case, you will receive an explanation quoting the relevant exemption and an explanation of your rights of appeal to the Information Commissioner.
Fees Guidance
A limit of £450 has been set under which information will be provided without charging a fee, although disbursements may be reclaimed. This is deemed to equate to 18 hours of work. Disbursements may, for example, include the cost of reproducing the material and postage.
The University is not obliged to provide information where it would cost more than £450 to provide it, although it may decide to do so and charge appropriately. A Fees Notice would be issued to inform the applicant of the cost and the 20 working days time limit to respond would not begin until the fee has been received by the University.
Further information
Further information and guidance on the Freedom of Information Act 2000 can be obtained from the Legal & Information Compliance team by emailing foi@keele.ac.uk
Contact details for the Information Commissioner's Office are: ico.org.uk
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545745