Overview

This overview forms the introduction to the the College's Publication Scheme.  It explains the background to the scheme and follows the suggested format provided by the Information Commissioner's Office as far as possible, with additions for the sake of clarity or relevance to the College.

Legal requirement

1.1 Adopting 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' to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme.  'Public authorities' are defined in the Act and include universities, further education colleges and sixth form colleges.

What is a publication scheme? 

A publication scheme is a document which describes the information a public authority publishes, or intends to publish. In this context, 'publish' means to make information available, routinely. These descriptions are called 'classes of information'. The scheme is not a list of the actual publications, because this will change as new material is published or existing material revised. It is, however, the public authority's commitment to make available the information described. 

The 'model' publication scheme for higher education

Selwyn College has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the Higher Education sector across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its purpose is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.  In the College's case links have been provided to content on the College's website which is then updated as appropriate.

Some of the categories in the model scheme do not precisely match to College activities. Every effort has been made to make as much information available as possible but queries and requests for clarification may arise and should be addressed to foi@sel.cam.ac.uk The College also welcomes feedback about the scheme.

The College is not a University in itself but operates as an autonomous body within the federated structure of the University of Cambridge. To assist members of the public this scheme includes links to the University of Cambridge website, but the College is not directly responsible for this content.