Student extenuating circumstances requests due to mental health issues

The request was refused by University of Southampton.

Dear University of Southampton,

I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act. In order to assist you with this request, I am outlining my query as specifically as possible. If you need any clarification then please do not hesitate to contact me. Under Section 16 it is your duty to provide advice and assistance and so I would expect you to contact me if you find this request unmanageable in any way.

I am looking for information regarding mental health issues among students, specifically:
a) Since the beginning of the 2009-10 academic year, how many of the students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) who formally requested concessions from the university (i.e. submitted an Extenuating Circumstances form), cited mental health issues as their reason for the request?
b) How many of these mental health-related appeals have been deemed legitimate enough by the university/department for the concessions to be granted?
c) Which mental health issues in particular have been those most cited (e.g. anxiety, depression etc.) in the forms.

To be clear, I recognise that the sensitivity of mental health issues involves a level of confidentiality, but given that I am asking for the data and not the identities of students, I see no reason why this information can not be shared.

I request access to the information in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format, where each of the 10 full academic years show all of the Extenuating Circumstances forms submitted with those relating to mental health clearly flagged and detailed with the specific issues/illness cited.
I understand that you are required to respond to my request within the 20 working days after you receive this letter. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Max Copeman

Support, University of Southampton

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[1]University of Southampton

Dear Max Copeman,

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Date of request: 31-12-2019 11:53:07 GMT
Due date: 29-01-2020 11:53:07 GMT
Ref: RITM0252295

Acknowledgement of request for information

Thank you for your request for information dated 31-12-2019 11:53:07 GMT,
a copy of which is appended hereto for your ease of reference.

The University will endeavour to respond as soon as practicable and in any
event by 29-01-2020 11:53:07 GMT. The reference for your request is
[2]RITM0252295: please quote this reference in any future correspondence
regarding this request.

Requested information:

Dear University of Southampton,

I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to
which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act. In order to
assist you with this request, I am outlining my query as specifically as
possible. If you need any clarification then please do not hesitate to
contact me. Under Section 16 it is your duty to provide advice and
assistance and so I would expect you to contact me if you find this
request unmanageable in any way.

I am looking for information regarding mental health issues among
students, specifically:
a) Since the beginning of the 2009-10 academic year, how many of the
students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) who formally requested
concessions from the university (i.e. submitted an Extenuating
Circumstances form), cited mental health issues as their reason for the
request?
b) How many of these mental health-related appeals have been deemed
legitimate enough by the university/department for the concessions to be
granted?
c) Which mental health issues in particular have been those most cited
(e.g. anxiety, depression etc.) in the forms.

To be clear, I recognise that the sensitivity of mental health issues
involves a level of confidentiality, but given that I am asking for the
data and not the identities of students, I see no reason why this
information can not be shared.

I request access to the information in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
format, where each of the 10 full academic years show all of the
Extenuating Circumstances forms submitted with those relating to mental
health clearly flagged and detailed with the specific issues/illness
cited.
I understand that you are required to respond to my request within the 20
working days after you receive this letter. I would be grateful if you
could confirm in writing that you have received this request.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Max Copeman

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Office

email: [University of Southampton request email]

 
Ref:MSG9322168

References

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2. https://sotonproduction.service-now.com/...

Support, University of Southampton

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[1]University of Southampton

 

Dear Max Copeman,

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Request for information: response

Date of request: 31-12-2019 11:53:07 GMT
Due date: 29-01-2020 11:53:07 GMT
Ref: RITM0252295

We refer to your request for information dated 31-12-2019 11:53:07 GMT.

Further to your request for information under the Freedom of Information
Act 2000 (the “Act”), please accept our apologies for the delay in
responding to you.

Please find below your question, with the University’s corresponding
response.

In accordance with [2]section 1(a) of the Act, we confirm that the
University holds information of the description specified in your request.
The answers to your questions are as follows:

Question:

Dear University of Southampton,

I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to
which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act. In order to
assist you with this request, I am outlining my query as specifically as
possible. If you need any clarification then please do not hesitate to
contact me. Under Section 16 it is your duty to provide advice and
assistance and so I would expect you to contact me if you find this
request unmanageable in any way.

I am looking for information regarding mental health issues among
students, specifically:
a) Since the beginning of the 2009-10 academic year, how many of the
students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) who formally requested
concessions from the university (i.e. submitted an Extenuating
Circumstances form), cited mental health issues as their reason for the
request?
b) How many of these mental health-related appeals have been deemed
legitimate enough by the university/department for the concessions to be
granted?
c) Which mental health issues in particular have been those most cited
(e.g. anxiety, depression etc.) in the forms.

To be clear, I recognise that the sensitivity of mental health issues
involves a level of confidentiality, but given that I am asking for the
data and not the identities of students, I see no reason why this
information can not be shared.

I request access to the information in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
format, where each of the 10 full academic years show all of the
Extenuating Circumstances forms submitted with those relating to mental
health clearly flagged and detailed with the specific issues/illness
cited.
I understand that you are required to respond to my request within the 20
working days after you receive this letter. I would be grateful if you
could confirm in writing that you have received this request.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Max Copeman

Answer:

The answer to your request can be found [3]here

If you do not feel that we have dealt with your request in accordance with
the requirements of [4]Part I of the Act, you may request a review. Your
request for a review should specify in what respect you consider that the
requirements of [5]Part I have not been met. Please address your request
to the Chief Operating Officer at the following address:
[6][University of Southampton request email].

In accordance with section 5.3 of the [7]Code of Practice, a request for a
review must sent within 40 working days of the date of this email. The
University is not obliged to accept any requests for a review beyond 40
working days.

We will endeavour to respond to your request for a review within 20
working days of receipt.

The Information Commissioner is responsible for enforcing rights of access
to information and the operation of the publication scheme. You may apply
to the Information Commissioner in writing (FOI/EIR Complaints Resolution,
Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire SK9 5AF) or [8]electronically for a decision whether, in any
specified respect, your request for information has been dealt with by the
University in accordance with the requirements of [9]Part I of the Act.
The Information Commissioner will not normally take action unless they are
satisfied that the University's review procedure has been exhausted.

 

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Office

email: [University of Southampton request email]

 

 
Ref:MSG10155108

References

Visible links
2. mailto:http//www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/1
3. here
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/~assets/do...
4. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000...
5. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000...
6. mailto:[University of Southampton request email]?subject=Request%20for%20Review%20-%20Request%20For%20Information&body=RITM0125537%0A%0APlease%20specify%20in%20what%20respect%20you%20consider%20that%20the%20requirements%20of%20Part%201%20of%20the%20Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act%20have%20not%20been%20met%3A%0A%0A
7. https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...
8. http://www.ico.org.uk/concerns/
9. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000...