on behalf of Ian Gross, HEFCE Audit Service
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ian GROSS (7169)
> Sent: 27 April 2001 16:25
> To: Gillian FOXTON (7420)
> Subject: FW: FDS Survey
>
>
> Mr Barrington-Light
>
> Thank you again. Can I clarify first that we have not asked for the
> contact details for ALL students. We have asked for a sample only for
> audit purposes. Audit work frequently relies on sample testing as a way of
> gaining the necessary assurance and we have adopted this approach for this
> audit. In fact, by way of illustration that we do consider these issues,
> we are using lower sample sizes in one part of the audit than we did in
> the pilot FDS audit.
>
> I agree absolutely that this is a sensitive area for everyone concerned
> and we have conducted our work with these sensitivities in mind. Our legal
> advice did consider this and came to the conclusion the risk of a
> successful legal challenge by a student is actually very low - indeed HEIs
> themselves, in their alumni operations, probably face similar small, but
> slightly greater risks. After all, HEFCE has the ability to call upon
> statute to defend its actions but HEIs don't.
>
> Ian Gross
> Head of Internal Audit & Projects
> HEFCE Audit Service
> Tel 0117 931 7169
> Fax 0117 931 7396
> email: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dennis Barrington-Light [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 27 April 2001 15:03
> To: [log in to unmask]; Ian GROSS (7169)
> Cc: [log in to unmask]; Registrary
> Subject: Re: FDS Survey
>
>
>
> Mr Gross
>
> Many thanks again for your reply. I accept that there are differences
> between
> the central pilot and audit of the FDS. However, I remain somewhat
> concerned
> about the requirement to supply contact details for ALL students in the
> FDS
> rather than for a sample selected by the audit team. There is also the
> damage
> that might be caused to HEIs from students losing confidence in their HEI
> in
> maintaining the confidentiality of their data. I think that what I am
> saying
> is that this is a very sensitive area for HEIs and the Funding Council and
> I
> would hope that there would be consultation between the councils and HEIs
> before making such requests in future.
>
> I am certainly not suggesting that HEIs should be above having their FDS
> returns audited and clearly you may need to contact students to verify the
> details they have supplied. However I hope that this can be achieved in
> future with a fuller understanding of the potential problems this may pose
> for
> HEIs, particularly having regard to the impact that it may have on the
> relationship between the graduate and the institution if there is a belief
> that the HEI has gone back on its commitment not to disclose this data to
> third parties.
>
> Dennis Barrington-Light
> Head of Student Records and Statistics and
> University Data Protection Officer
> University of Cambridge,
> 10 Peas Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PN, UK
> Tel: +44(0)1223 332303 Fax: +44(0)1223 331200
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
>
> "Gillian FOXTON (7420)" <[log in to unmask]> on 27/04/2001 11:45:30
>
> To: Dennis Barrington-Light/REG/Central-Admin@Central-Admin
> cc: [log in to unmask], "Ian GROSS (7169)"
> <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Subject: FDS Survey
>
>
>
>
> sent on behalf of Ian Gross, HEFCE Audit service
>
> Thanks
> Gillian
> --------------------------------------------------
> Gillian Foxton
> IS Project Manager
> Higher Education Funding Council England
> Northavon House
> Coldharbour Lane
> Bristol
> BS16 1QD
> Tel. 0117 931 7420
> Fax. 0117 931 7135
> E-mail [log in to unmask]
> HEFCE web http://www.hefce.ac.uk
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ian GROSS (7169)
> > Sent: Friday, April 27, 2001 10:42 AM
> > To: Gillian FOXTON (7420)
> > Cc: Judy AKINBOLU (7110); Pramod PHILIP [7380]
> > Subject: FDS
> >
> > Mr Barrington-Light
> >
> > The central collection piloted by HESA last year is fundamentally
> > different to an audit by HEFCE, even if we are seeking similar
> > information. Audit rights are inherently different from other rights,
> > because they are about forming an independent and objective opinion on
> > something. Our audit rights are enshrined in the financial memorandum
> > which all HEIs have signed, and in the Audit Code of Practice (HEFCE ref
> > 98/28) which includes some mandatory requirements. Of course this does
> not
> > mean we are entitled to ask HEIs to break the law, but we have had
> > explicit advice that HEIs will not be doing so. Consequently, until
> shown
> > otherwise, our request (or indeed requirement) should be considered
> > legitimate.
> >
> > One of the objectives of the audit is to test the robustness of the
> > employment performance indicator. This clearly must be a legitimate and
> > reasonable thing for HEFCE to do as it is obviously of importance to the
> > general public and the HE sector as a whole. In the judgement of the
> HEFCE
> > Audit Service, we consider it necessary to re-survey some students to
> help
> > provide that assurance. The necessity of this approach was vindicated by
> > our pilot audit of an earlier FDS. After this year's audit, we will
> > consider whether the re-survey continues to add value to the assurance
> > required.
> >
> > I have not seen the Information Commissioners letter to HESA which is
> why
> > I was unable to comment on it, but yesterday invited HESA to pass on any
> > information they have to contribute to the debate.
> >
> > Ian Gross
> > Head of Internal Audit & Projects
> > HEFCE Audit Service
> > Tel 0117 931 7169
> > Fax 0117 931 7396
> > email: [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
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