PREVENT guidelines for Trinity College
Dear Trinity College, Oxford,
We are writing to make an open request for all the information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
It would be very much appreciated if you could send your college guidelines on PREVENT, one of the four elements of CONTEST, the government’s counter-terrorism strategy.
We also request any risk assessments, safeguarding policies, IT policies or any other college policies that have been amended to comply with the PREVENT duty.
I would like the above information to be provided to me as an electronic copy.
If this request is too wide or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the Act, you are required to advise and assist requesters. If any of the information is already in the public domain, please can you direct me to it, with page references and URLs if necessary.
If the release of any of this information is prohibited on the grounds of breach of confidence, I ask that you supply me with copies of the confidentiality agreement and remind you that information should not be treated as confidential if such an agreement has not been signed.
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,
Oxford Against Prevent
Dear Sir or Madam,
I note your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act
2000.
Please see below for our relevant guidelines on PREVENT, as displayed in
our College handbooks for students and staff:
COMPLIANCE WITH PREVENT DUTY LEGISLATION
The college is legally required as an educational institution to comply
with the Prevent Duty under Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and
Security Act (2015). In fulfilling its legal obligations, the college
maintains its commitment to:
• secure and protect the rights of academics, students and
staff to hold, articulate and act upon their political, religious and
ideological opinions at all times, within the law, and subject only to
their contractual agreements and terms of employment.
• respect the rights of academics, students and staff to
confidentiality and privacy at all times, in the absence of a risk of
serious crime, subject only to their contractual agreements and terms of
employment.
• ensure that the implementation of its PREVENT duty does not
undermine, and remains subject to, the rights of academics, students,
staff and visiting speakers under existing law, including the Education
(No 2) Act 1986, the Human Rights Act 1998 and data protection
legislation.
Any concerns that a student is being radicalised to a point where they may
be a potential threat should be raised with the Welfare Dean.
Our Freedom of Speech policy is advertised in the terms and conditions for
events held in College, as follows:
The Hirer, as organiser of a seminar, conference, meeting or other
assembly, is required to undertake to secure that the principles embodied
in the University Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech, pursuant to its
statutory duty under Section 43 (3) of the Education (No 2) Act 1986, will
be upheld, and shall, if so required, satisfy the organisation of its
ability to discharge its obligations in regard to upholding freedom of
speech.
The College handbooks include the following statement on Free Speech:
Free speech is the lifeblood of a university. It enables the pursuit of
knowledge. It helps us approach truth. It allows students, teachers and
researchers to become better acquainted with the variety of beliefs,
theories and opinions in the world. Recognising the vital importance of
free expression for the life of the mind, a university may make rules
concerning the conduct of debate but should never prevent speech that is
lawful.
Inevitably, this will mean that members of the University/College are
confronted with views that some find unsettling, extreme or offensive. The
University/College must therefore foster freedom of expression within a
framework of robust civility. Not all theories deserve equal respect. A
university values expertise and intellectual achievement as well as
openness. But, within the bounds set by law, all voices or views which any
member of our community considers relevant should be given the chance of a
hearing. Wherever possible, they should also be exposed to evidence,
questioning and argument. As an integral part of this commitment to
freedom of expression, we will take steps to ensure that all such
exchanges happen peacefully. With appropriate regulation of the time,
place and manner of events, neither speakers nor listeners should have any
reasonable grounds to feel intimidated or censored.
It is this understanding of the central importance and specific roles of
free speech in a university that underlies the detailed procedures of
Trinity College. This Statement frames all the activities and policies of
Trinity College.
The College’s handbooks include wording on meeting rules. The extract
attached sets out the rules for the 2018-19 edition.
The College’s compliance with PREVENT is monitored by Governing Body by
way of an annual review conducted during Michaelmas Term. The Risk
Assessment produced for the latest review is attached.
Complaints
The College has an internal review procedure. If you are not happy with
our response and wish to appeal the decision, you may request an internal
review by writing to Jennifer Cable, Executive Assistant to the Bursars,
Trinity College, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BH explaining your request and
your reasons for seeking a review.
If you are not happy with the outcome of the internal review, you may then
seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner under the
Freedom of Information Act by email or by writing to:
The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Website: [1]www.ico.org.uk
Best regards,
Chris Ferguson
Fellow and Estates Bursar
Trinity College
Oxford
OX1 3BH
Tel: 01865 279880 or mobile 07748 334567
[2]website and publications header
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