All members of the University should have access to the information they might reasonably need in order to execute their duties or to undertake their research or programme of study effectively, and in order to participate as a full member of the University community. Information should be accessible in an appropriate format and available with minimum delay. Information should normally be available freely to members of the University unless there is good reason for it to be restricted. The University should make available appropriate information to external stakeholders, including prospective students, current and potential research partners and the local and regional community. Effective management information and reporting systems are required.
Financial resource is needed to acquire externally produced information.
The University needs to be fully aware of the legal issues surrounding information access. Currently these include the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Bill and the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. All members of the University should be helped to develop the appropriate skills to enable them to access the information they need, to use it effectively, and to comply with their obligations under such information policies as may be applicable. The University will make available training and learning resources to enable every member to acquire the necessary skills. Self study resources in information skills for non campus-based students.