Dear Harriet,

RE: INFORMATION REQUEST DATED 8^th AUGUST 2024

REF: FOI – 00020

Thank you for your request for information. This was received on 8^th
AUGUST 2024 and we are dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000.

We will respond to the information request within 20 working days (i.e on
or before 6^th SEPTEMBER 2024). If we are unable to respond to the request
or if the University does not hold the information or if there is a reason
for it to be withheld, we will write to you with the reasons why.

If you have any queries or concerns about the process, please do not
hesitate to contact us. Otherwise we will write to you on or before 6^th
SEPTEMBER 2024. 

Thanks,

The Freedom of Information Team

Legal Services

Birmingham City University

Email: [1][Birmingham City University request email]

The Legal Services Team work in an agile way.

Let us know how we did by completing our quick [2]feedback form

This email is confidential and is intended for the addressee only. If
received in error please notify the sender immediately and do not copy,
retain or distribute it.

To find out how BCU protects and processes your personal data in relation
to your Freedom of Information (FOI) request please read the [3]Privacy
Notice for FOI Requests.

From: Liberty Investigates <[email address]>
Sent: Thursday, August 8, 2024 9:16 AM
To: Freedom of Information Act <[Birmingham City University request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - AUCSO

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the University. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and know the
content is safe.

Dear Birmingham Conservatoire,

I would like to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

BACKGROUND
I understand your university is a member of the Association of University
Chief Security Officers (AUCSO), which runs a Special Interest Group on
Protest and Encampments/Protests and Assembly.

This FOI request will make reference to pro-Palestine protest activity,
which I would like you to interpret as including but not limited to the
following activities: encampments, chanting, gatherings and
demonstrations, written or verbal comments and flyering.

QUESTIONS

Please provide:
1. Copies of all emails exchanged between your university staff*, AUCSO
and other universities’ security teams since 1 October 2023 discussing
Palestine protest activity on your campus, as well as copies of any
documents/images attached to those emails or included in the body of the
emails.

2. Copies of any and all guidance documents your university has received
from AUSCO since 1 October 2023 in connection with pro-Palestine protest
activity, including but not limited to anything addressing the following:
- Encampments
- Sharing data with police
- When to make Prevent referrals
- Sharing data with the Home Office
- Disciplinary action

3. A list of any and all meetings between AUCSO and any university staff*
which have taken place at your university since 1 October 2023 to discuss
Pro-Palestine protest activity.

4. For each of the meetings covered under the scope of question 3, please
provide the:
A. The meeting agenda
B. The list of attendees and apologies
C. Meeting minutes
D. Any presentations shown at the meeting
E. Documents circulated during the meeting

5. Please provide copies of all emails sent and received by your
university staff* and police since 17 May 2024 discussing Palestine
protest activity on your campus, as well as copies of any documents/images
attached to those emails or included in the body of the emails.

6. A list of any and all meetings between police and any university staff*
which have taken place at your university since 17 May 2024 to discuss
Pro-Palestine protest activity.

7. For each of the meetings covered under the scope of question 3, please
provide the:
A. The meeting agenda
B. The list of attendees and apologies
C. Meeting minutes
D. Any presentations shown at the meeting
E. Documents circulated during the meeting

*A NOTE ON S12 COST EXEMPTION:

In regards to question 1-7 above, if it would exceed the cost limit to
conduct searches for information held by all relevant university staff and
departments who have emailed/met with police and AUCSO - then please
restrict your searches to the systems/inboxes used by your university’s
security team, the team responsible for student wellbeing/welfare and the
senior leadership team including your Vice-Chancellor (or equivalent
leadership position).

A NOTE ON S40 PERSONAL DATA EXEMPTION:
I understand some of the information covered under the scope of my request
may need to be redacted for personal data. Please note that the domain
addresses of the sender and recipients of all emails covered under the
scope of my request (“@university.ac.uk” or “police.uk”) is not directly
identifiable information and should be left unredacted so as to help
promote an accurate understanding of who is the sender and recipient of
each email (not their personal identity but which institution they
represent).

In addition, the ICO has indicated that it is not appropriate for data
controllers to redact the names of employees who perform “a role that
involves decision-making for which the employee has accountability” (ICO
Decision Notice FS50308752, 21 March 2011, at paras 52-57.) This would
include all university staff (other than those performing a purely
administrative role), and any public officials that they have been in
correspondence with. I will, therefore, require your full written reasons
in the event you consider you are entitled to redact the identifying
information of any individuals, so that I may consider making a complaint
to the Information Commissioner.

Yours faithfully,

Harriet Clugston

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[4][email address]

Is [5][Birmingham City University request email] the wrong address for Freedom of
Information requests to Birmingham Conservatoire? If so, please contact us
using this form:
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For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
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[9]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...

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be delayed.

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manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

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Dear Harriet,

Please see attached response that was sent to you on 6^th September.

Regards,

The Freedom of Information Team

Legal Services

Birmingham City University

Email: [1][Birmingham City University request email]

The Legal Services Team work in an agile way.

Let us know how we did by completing our quick [2]feedback form

This email is confidential and is intended for the addressee only. If
received in error please notify the sender immediately and do not copy,
retain or distribute it.

To find out how BCU protects and processes your personal data in relation
to your Freedom of Information (FOI) request please read the [3]Privacy
Notice for FOI Requests.

From: Liberty Investigates <[FOI #1156011 email]>
Sent: 10 September 2024 16:36
To: Freedom of Information Act <[Birmingham City University request email]>
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - 00020

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the University. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and know the
content is safe.

Dear Freedom of Information Act,

By law, a response to this request was due on 6th September, but I have
not received one.

Please could you let me know asap when a response will arrive.

Yours sincerely,

Harriet

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