Information about Academic References
To whom it may concern,
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I am writing to you to formally request the information pertaining to academic references rather than character references. I seek your answers to the following matters:
Kindly read each question carefully and thoroughly. It is your responsibility to meticulously proofread your reply to prevent any material errors.
1. Can tutors provide academic references for their students, focusing solely on their academic performance, such as tutor-marked assignments (instead of personal character)?
2. If the response to the question 1 is Yes, please skip this question and go to the question 3. If the response to the question 1 is No, what are the reasons? Please provide a clear explanation. What is the official policy, if any?
3. Can the Open University provide academic references with regard to students' suitability for further studies based on their academic performance such as their module grades?
4. If the response to question 3 is No, what are the reasons? Please address this matter clearly, refraining from verbatim text duplication. What is the relevant official policy, if any?
You are required by law to respond to my questions within 20 days. Failure to provide accurate and complete answers may lead to a formal complaint being filed with the Information Commissioner's Office, as well as legal action being taken against you. I look forward to your prompt reply.
Yours faithfully,
Jo Fenice
Dear Jo
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request for information under
the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Your reference for this request is
FOI2024/111.
Your request is receiving our attention and you will hear from us again
within 20 working days at the latest.
Yours sincerely
Freya Austin
Freya Austin, Information Rights Assistant
Information Rights, University Secretary’s Office
[1][email address]
The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, MK7 6AA
[2]Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
Dear Jo,
Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
dated 16^th May 2024 relating to academic references.
Information Provided
I can confirm that the Open University holds the information which
constitutes information falling within the scope of your request. Please
see the response to your request highlighted below in blue:
1. Can tutors provide academic references for their students, focusing
solely on their academic performance, such as tutor-marked assignments
(instead of personal character)?
Yes, however our current reference format only allows for brief comments
from tutors rather than a whole personalised reference. This means that
tutors can comment on a student’s academic performance as part of the
reference but it is unlikely to be in great detail.
2. If the response to the question 1 is Yes, please skip this question and
go to the question 3. If the response to the question 1 is No, what are
the reasons? Please provide a clear explanation. What is the official
policy, if any?
N/A
3. Can the Open University provide academic references with regard to
students' suitability for further studies based on their academic
performance such as their module grades?
The University offer references for further study, but this will confirm
what the student has achieved throughout their studies with the OU and the
skills gained. They do not comment specifically to the student’s
suitability for further study. A reference may include tutor comments
where applicable and it may be that the tutor has commented on the
student’s suitability for further study if they see fit.
4. If the response to question 3 is No, what are the reasons? Please
address this matter clearly, refraining from verbatim text duplication.
What is the relevant official policy, if any?
N/A
Intellectual Property Rights
This information provided in response to the FOIA will be subject to
copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by the
Open University. The copyright in other information may be owned by
another person or organisation, and this will be indicated on the
information itself. You are free to use any information supplied for your
own non-commercial use or private study purposes. The information may
also be used for any other purpose allowed by a limitation or exception in
copyright law, such as news reporting. However, any other type of re-use,
for example by publishing the information in analogue or digital form,
including on an online format, will require the permission of the
copyright owner.
Review
If you have any concerns about the way the University has observed the
provisions of the Freedom of Information Act you may apply for your
request to be reviewed. Freedom of Information Reviews are considered by
the University Secretary or his delegate. Your request must be submitted
within 40 working days of receipt of this letter/email. Reviews should be
addressed to the above [1]inbox, entitled “FOIA Review”, and should set
out the reasons for the review.
If you are still dissatisfied after our internal review, you will have a
further right of appeal to the [2]Information Commissioner’s Office.
(ICO). The easiest way to lodge a complaint is through their website:
[3]www.ico.org.uk/foicomplaints
Kind regards
Danielle Pyper, Information Rights Manager
Information Rights Team, University Secretary’s Office
From: Freedom-of-Information
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2024 11:12 AM
To: J Fenice <[FOI #1130879 email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Information about Academic
References
Dear Jo
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request for information under
the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Your reference for this request is
FOI2024/111.
Your request is receiving our attention and you will hear from us again
within 20 working days at the latest.
Yours sincerely
Freya Austin
Freya Austin, Information Rights Assistant
Information Rights, University Secretary’s Office
[4][email address]
The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, MK7 6AA
[5]Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
Dear Danielle,
I am afraid you have misunderstood my questions 1 and 2.
Let me reiterate my questions again:
1. Can tutors provide academic references for their students, focusing solely on their academic performance, such as tutor-marked assignments (instead of personal character)?
2. If the response to the question 1 is No, what are the reasons? Please provide a clear explanation. What is the official policy, if any?
In question 1, I am enquiring if tutors can provide academic references, not just comments, for students. Can tutors provide academic references for students individually? Can tutors send academic references directly to other universities or institutes on students' request?
Due to my disabilities, please present your response in an easy read format, using plain language and a font size of 16 or larger. For accessibility purposes, the formal should be PDF.
I look forward to your accessible response.
Yours sincerely,
Jo Fenice
Dear Jo,
Please see attached PDF document.
Kind regards
[1]The Open University logo
Danielle Pyper (she/her), Information Rights Manager
Information Rights Team, University Secretary’s Office
[2]open.ac.uk
The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, MK7 6AA
Dear Jo,
Please see the attached PDF document sent on behalf of my colleague.
Daniel Webb
Daniel Webb, Senior Manager Information Rights (he/him/his)
Information Rights Team, University Secretary’s Office
t: 01908 653994
e: [email address]
a: The Open University, Level 5, 217 Charles Pinfold Building, Walton
Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
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