Dear Mr Benson

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information request dated 26th April

2010 in relation to Terrorism Legislation.
Q1 Does your institution provide any information or advice to students or staff
on any potential liability under Terrorism legislation which might result from
accessing materials for teaching or research ? If so please provide copies of
any documents held which detail or refer to such information or advice.
Q1. There is no such advice published or in circulation, other than a reference
to the Terrorism Act in the University's IT Regulations, s3 which may be
accessed at:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/govrn/cocom/uniitregs/index.html
Q2 Does your institution have any kind of procedure to review or assess reading
lists, module descriptors or other teaching materials which explicitly or in
practice considers questions of safety and risk under terrorism legislation as
part of its remit ? For example does the institution have anything similar or
analogous to the 'module review process' established at Nottingham University
described here :
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=407122;
http://www.teachingterrorism.net/2009/08/03/nottingham-censorship-a-defence;
http://www.teachingterrorism.net/2009/08/06/is-vetting-at-nottingham-in-defence-
of-academic-freedom
If so please supply full details of this policy and procedure and advise when
and how it was decided upon and implemented.
The remits of the University Research Ethics Committee and School Research
Ethics Committees would extend to consideration of these risks in relation to
specific proposed research projects - but there are no specific procedures in
place for the Terrorism Act. The University's Programme Approval, Monitoring
and Review processes do not consider terrorism legislation as part of their
remit.
Q3 Does your institution have any system, policy or procedure in place for
dealing with any potential actions taken by the authorities against the
institution, its students or staff under Terrorism legislation ? If so please
supply a copy of the policy and advise the date it was decided upon and
implemented.
Q3. The University does not have a specific policy. The University has a
number of policies that set out processes that might be invoked if such an
action arose including the University IT Regulations as above and the IT
Acceptable Use Policy s5 and s7, which are available from the same web page as
Q1 above.
For any action taken in relation to a student the Student Disciplinary Code
would apply. This may be accessed from the following web page:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/regis/sfs/regs/index.html
The Staff Disciplinary Code would apply in relation to any action taken against
a member of staff and this may be accessed at:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/humrs/staffinfo/policyprocedures/index.html
Q4 Does your institution have any system, policy or procedure in place for
‘preventing violent extremism’ as recommended for example in the government
guidance document ‘Promoting Good Campus Relations’
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/tna/+/http://www.dius.gov.uk/publicati
ons/extremismhe.pdf
Please indicate what procedures or policy exist and advise when it was decided
upon and implemented, and provide copies of any documents held which detail or
refer to such policy or procedures.
Q4. The University has a number of policies in place in relation to promoting
equality, diversity and good
relations:http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/govrn/cocom/equalityanddiversity/index.html)
The University’s Dignity at work and study policy:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/govrn/cocom/equalityanddiversity/dignityatwork/2008%20R
evised%20Dignity%20Policy.doc
includes information about ensuring that behaviour and activities do not create
an offensive or hostile environment which fits with Key objective 3 of the
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) guidance on
‘Promoting Good Campus Relations’: To ensure student safety and campuses
that are free from bullying, harassment and intimidation.
The University aims to provide a safe environment for the discussion of
religious and political issues as suggested in the ‘DIUS guidelines on
Promoting Good Campus Relations’. The University’s Policy on Religion and
Belief:http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/govrn/cocom/equalityanddiversity/religiousbelief
s/Religion%20&%20Belief%20policy.doc)
states:
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion and Freedom of Speech
7.1 The Religion and Belief policy should be read in conjunction with the
Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech. The Code of Practice does not stifle
lawful, legitimate criticism of, or debate about a religion or belief for
academic purposes. However, it does take into account other legal obligations,
for example, incitement to racial hatred would transgress the bounds of lawful
speech. . The University is committed to providing an environment where
individuals will act in accordance with the right to academic freedom within the
law and the University and its staff will conduct themselves in accordance with
the University’s Charter and statutes (including Statute XVIII - Academic
Staff).
7.2 The University is an academic institution committed to the values of
open and rational debate. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and
religion is absolute. However, any manifestation of beliefs has to take account
of the rights and reasonable sensitivities of others. What is appropriate will
depend on the circumstances but any attempt to bully or coerce others to comply
with a particular belief system, for example through threats or may result in
disciplinary action (see Complaints Procedure below)
7.3 The Interfaith network’s Code on Building Good Relations with
People from Different Faiths and Belief provides advice on ensuring that
discussion of religion and belief can take place in a way that allows respect
and courtesy to be maintained.
This supports objectives 1 and 2 of the DIUS guidance:
1. To promote and reinforce shared values; to create space for free and open
debate; and to listen and to listen to and support mainstream voices.
2. To break down segregation amongst different student communities including by
supporting inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue and understanding and to
engage all students in playing a full and active role in wider engagement with
society
The University’s Policy on religion and belief also provides for the rental of
meeting and conference facilities:
7.4 Rental of Meeting and Conference Facilities
Inciting racial hatred is a legal offence that applies to words or behaviour
that is threatening and intended to stir up racial or religious hatred. The
University does not permit the use of its meeting and conference facilities for
meetings or events that are aimed at inciting hatred towards any religion or
belief group or towards anyone not sharing their own religion/belief. The
University also does not permit the use of its meeting or conference rooms for
inciting hatred against the wider community on the basis of religion,
philosophical belief or any other reason. The University reserves the right not
to accept bookings for any of its meeting or conference facilities if they are
deemed inappropriate in this respect.
The University has engaged with the ‘Prevent’ agenda (Communities and Local
Government/Welsh Assembly Government:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/prevent/ to develop an understanding
of the risks for Universities and start to inform relevant staff of appropriate
sources of advice and guidance.
The University (via the Pro Vice Chancellor for Staff and Diversity, the Head of
Student Services and the Equality and Diversity Managers (Governance and
Compliance Division and Human Resources Division)) has strong links with the
Chaplaincy and the Students Union including links with relevant student
societies such as the Islamic Society as suggested by the ‘Prevent’ agenda
and the DIUS guidelines.
These arrangements support work under key objectives 4 and 5 of the DIUS
guidelines.
4. To provide support for students who may be at risk and appropriate sources of
advice and guidance.
5. To ensure that staff and students are aware of their roles in preventing
violent extremism.
The University has also recently developed a Code of Practice for Photographic
Identification providing clear guidelines on the use of photographic
identification cards - when and how cards should be checked, including ensuring
sensitive procedures for those wearing religious dress. This Code is currently
still in draft form but is expected to be approved by the University’s Council
shortly. The Code promotes a clear approach to checking identification of all
staff and students in order to maintain a safe and secure environment at the
University.
The relevant policies include:
Equality & Diversity Policy:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/govrn/cocom/equalityanddiversity/EqualityandDiversityPo
licy.doc

Religion and Belief Policy:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/govrn/cocom/equalityanddiversity/religiousbeliefs/Relig
ion%20&%20Belief%20policy.doc

Dignity at Work and Study Policy (currently being reviewed):

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/govrn/cocom/equalityanddiversity/dignityatwork/2008%20R
evised%20Dignity%20Policy.doc

I trust that this will be of use to you. If you believe that the University has
failed to comply with the Act you may request an internal review but any such
request must be made in writing and must set out why you believe the University
has not met its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act. You may email
this information to Inforequest@cardiff.ac.uk and it will be forwarded to Dr C.
B. Turner, Director of Registry, Governance & Students Directorate who will be
responsible for any review.
If you are not happy with the outcome of such an internal review, you have the
right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The
Information Commissioner can be contacted at the following address: Information
Commissioner s Office, Wycliffe House,Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.
Regards
Katherine Drysdale
Information Governance Team
Governance and Compliance Division
Cardiff University
McKenzie House
30-36 Newport Road
Cardiff
CF24 0DE
Fax 029 20874478
Tel 029 20879351 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 029 20879351
end_of_the_skype_highlighting

FOI Request - Terrorism Legislation

ian.benson22 to: ian.benson22 26/04/2010 12:04
Please respond to ian.benson22
FOI Request – Terrorism Legislation
I would like to request the following information under the provisions of the
Freedom of Information Act. I would ask you to send your response by e-mail.
Q1 Does your institution provide any information or advice to students or staff
on any potential liability under Terrorism legislation which might result from
accessing materials for teaching or research ? If so please provide copies of
any documents held which detail or refer to such information or advice.
Q2 Does your institution have any kind of procedure to review or assess reading
lists, module descriptors or other teaching materials which explicitly or in
practice considers questions of safety and risk under terrorism legislation as
part of its remit ? For example does the institution have anything similar or
analogous to the module review process established at Nottingham University
described here :
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=407122;
http://www.teachingterrorism.net/2009/08/03/nottingham-censorship-a-defence;
http://www.teachingterrorism.net/2009/08/06/is-vetting-at-nottingham-in-defence-
of-academic-freedom
If so please supply full details of this policy and procedure and advise when
and how it was decided upon and implemented.
Q3 Does your institution have any system, policy or procedure in place for
dealing with any potential actions taken by the authorities against the
institution, its students or staff under Terrorism legislation ? If so please
supply a copy of the policy and advise the date it was decided upon and
implemented.
Q4 Does your institution have any system, policy or procedure in place for
‘preventing violent extremism’ as recommended for example in the government
guidance document ‘Promoting Good Campus Relations’
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/tna/+/http://www.dius.gov.uk/publicati
ons/extremismhe.pdf
Please indicate what procedures or policy exist and advise when it was decided
upon and implemented, and provide copies of any documents held which detail or
refer to such policy or procedures.
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Ian Benson
10 County House Mews, Monkgate, York YO31 7NR 01904 673880
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01904 673880
end_of_the_skype_highlighting