Selwyn College Publication Scheme
1. 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.
1.2 'Public authorities' are defined in the Act and include universities, further education colleges and sixth form colleges.
2. What is a publication scheme?
2.1 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.
2.2 A publication scheme must set out the classes, or categories, of information published. It must also make clear how the information described can be accessed and whether or not charges will be made.
3. The 'model' publication scheme for higher education.
Selwyn College has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the Higher Education sector and is therefore committed to publishing the information it describes.
4. Who we are
4.1 Selwyn College ("Selwyn") is a college within the University of Cambridge. Selwyn was founded in 1882 in memory of George Augustus Selwyn, Bishop successively of New Zealand and of Lichfield.
4.2 Selwyn was incorporated by Royal Charter dated 13th September 1882. Its corporate title is 'The Head, Fellows and Scholars of Selwyn College'.
4.3 Selwyn is today dedicated to excellence in teaching, learning and research. The College thrives by attracting students of the highest calibre and potential who bring ambition and enthusiasm to their studies and to University life.
4.4 Selwyn is a community of 356 undergraduates, 175 post graduates and 60 Fellows, situated on the West side of Cambridge, close to the University Library and to many faculties and departments.
5. Accessing information covered by the publication scheme
5.1 The classes of information we publish are described in the second part of the scheme.
5.2 Next to each class we have indicated the manner in which the information described will be available. We have also indicated whether charges apply to material in each class.
5.3 To request information available through our publication scheme, please contact:
The Freedom of Information Officer
Selwyn College
Cambridge
CB3 9DQ
Tel: 01223 335892
E-mail: foi@sel.cam.ac.uk
5.4 Please note that a publication scheme relates to "published" information. Therefore, material covered has already been prepared in a format ready for distribution.
6. What about information not covered by the publication scheme?
6.1 Since 1 January 2005 you have had the right, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to request any information held by a public authority which it has not already made available through its publication scheme.
6.2 Requests will have to be made in writing and, in general, public authorities will have 20 working days to respond. They may charge a fee, which will have to be calculated according to Fees Regulations. They will not be required to release information to which an exemption in the Act legitimately applies. However, public authorities may be required to explain to the applicant why they are not releasing information and they may also have to justify this to the Information Commissioner.
7. Copyright
7.1 Selwyn College owns the copyright to publications within this scheme. Copies of these publications may be made for purposes of private study or research without permission in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Applications for commercial reproduction should be made in writing to the Freedom of Information Officer at the address in 5.3.
8. Feedback
8.1 It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, please let us know. We also welcome suggestions as to how our scheme might be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing to the Freedom of Information Officer at the address below.
Selwyn College
Cambridge
CB3 9DQ
E-mail: foi@sel.cam.ac.uk
8.2 If we are unable to resolve any complaint, you can complain to the Information Commissioner, the independent body who oversees the Freedom of Information Act:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
9. Further information
More information about the Freedom of Information Act is available on the Information Commissioner's website at:
Please note that Scotland has its own Freedom of Information Act and Information Commissioner. For more information, please see the Scottish Executive's
website at:
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