Covid policy and universities

Dear Benjamin,

Thank you for your freedom of information request received by this office
on 7^th June 2022. I will respond to your request as quickly as possible
and within the statutory timeframe.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Osborne   BSocSc(Hons) LLM,
Solicitor                                                                                                            

Swyddog Diogelu Data   /  Data Protection Officer

Campws Busnes Abertawe SA1 1NE Cymru DU/ Swansea Business Campus, SA1 1NE,
Wales, UK

Llinell Uniongyrchol / Direct Line: 01792
481180                                               

e-bost / e-mail: [1][email address]

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Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg a Saesneg.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English.
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References

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Dear Benjamin,

Thank you for your freedom of information request received by this office
on 7^th June 2022 and please accept my apologies for the slight delay in
this response in red narrative beneath:

I am writing to request information regarding university policies towards
covid:

1. Did you give students any refunds for tuition fees for reasons relating
to covid, such as cancelled lectures or lack of face-to-face tuition - if
so, please can you give a breakdown of: No refunds were given where the
complaint was based on Covid-related disruption
a) How many students received refunds? N/A
b) How much did they receive in total? N/A
c) The highest amount received by a single student N/A

2. Did you or a private accommodation provider give students any refunds
for accommodation for reasons relating to covid, such as being unable to
live in their halls - if so, please can you give a breakdown of: Yes,
students who left their halls of residence during lockdowns in 2020/21
were refunded for the period in which they were not in residence.

a) How many students received refunds? 389
b) How much did they receive in total? £148k
c) The highest amount received by a single student £1940
3. Please supply the total amount reimbursed to students for covid-related
reasons, including the categories mentioned in Questions 2 and Question 3.
Please give a breakdown of other areas not covered in Questions 2 and
Question 3 if possible. See above

4. How many outstanding requests for refunds related to covid are there?
None

5. In the 2021-22 academic year, what proportion of lectures have been
given remotely in a) October 2021 and b) May 2022? If you are unable to
give an exact figure, please supply any internal estimates.

During the 21/22 academic year we offered on campus learning and all
specialist and independent teaching spaces were open subject to
appropriate risk assessments. The exact blend of remote and on campus
learning depended on what was appropriate for each subject, the type of
activity and the completed risk assessments. All programmes (excluding
programmes that are offered as distance learning) had a regular element of
face-to-face tuition. This was normally smaller group teaching, workshops,
or studio and performance sessions.

6. In the 2022-23 academic year, what proportion of lectures are expected
to be held remotely? If you are unable to give an exact figure, please
supply any internal estimates or internal policy.  The University will
continue to extend its on campus learning during the 22/23 academic year,
with the exception of programmes of study that are distance learning
programmes.  The exact figures depend on what is appropriate for each
subject, programme and type of activity.

7. Please give a current estimate of the number of staff who were working
from home in May 2022. Please give a brief description of your
work-from-home policy.
The University is operating a hybrid model of working. Hybrid working
allows colleagues the opportunity, where the needs of the business and
their role allows, to informally agree with their managers where and when
they work. To assist managers in planning these working arrangements with
their team, the University has developed overarching principles for hybrid
working, which balance enhanced ‘flexibility’ with the need to maintain a
vibrant campus experience.  

You may request a review of the information contained within this freedom
of information response from my colleague Lee Bartlett
([1][email address]) If you remain dissatisfied following the
review you may appeal to the Information Commissioner at ico.org.uk.
Alternatively, you may write to the ICO at:

Head Office

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 if you prefer to use a
national rate number

Yours sincerely, 

Paul Osborne   BSocSc(Hons) LLM,
Solicitor                                                                                                            

Swyddog Diogelu Data   /  Data Protection Officer

Campws Busnes Abertawe SA1 1NE Cymru DU/ Swansea Business Campus, SA1 1NE,
Wales, UK

Llinell Uniongyrchol / Direct Line: 01792
481180                                               

e-bost / e-mail: [2][email address]

[3]Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated
[4]A picture containing icon Description automatically generated

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg a Saesneg.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English.
[5]A picture containing text, wheel, gear Description automatically
generated [6]Icon Description automatically generated [7]Icon
Description automatically generated [8]Icon Description automatically
generated with medium confidence [9]Icon Description automatically
generated

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
5. https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
6. https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
7. https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
8. https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
9. https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlo...