A few thoughts, some taking a slightly different tack, away from DP;
What was the personal tutor system set up for? If it was designed to
engage a higher level of trust and co-operation between student and tutor
would this suggested method of debt collection completely dismantle that?
Is the result of the tutor also being a debt collector, likely to increase
the likelihood of a debt burdened student from avoiding discussing their
difficulties inside the establishment and increase the tensions they are
under?
Moving back to the questions directly asked:-
UN Declaration
It would probably be worth considering some of the aspects of Article 22
Article 26 mentions education being equally accessible to all on the basis
of merit. I suppose what that merit consists of would depend on the
character traits, interests and culture of those determining any merit. That
same article also mentions the strengthening of respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms within the educational sphere.
> then there is no
> problem as far as Data Protection is concerned as fee
> collection is a legitimate interest of the University
Would Article 8 of the European Convention not impact as a result of privacy
of correspondence? Would the tutors have a need to see a students
correspondence, especially where a dispute regarding the debt existed?
The derogations include economic well being, but only that of the country.
Does student debt threaten the economic well-being of the country? If so
why on earth are the charges and funding at such a level? Accepting that
financial management will be one of the life skills students will be
teaching themselves in these circumstances. Perhaps the university of life
has advantages after all!!
UK Human Rights states no person shall be denied the right to education.
What DP impact would there be if a student in debt, being chased by their
tutor, was already involved in debt management counselling, which also
involved other sensitive personal data of a kind the educational
establishment would not normally process. The whole thing could then
become somewhat more complex.
Ian W
> -----Original Message-----
> From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Angela Vanscolina
> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 9:28 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: HE Student Finance - chasing student debtors
>
>
> I have a different query regarding fees, although not
> entirely a DP one. Our Finance department want to ask
> personal tutors to chase students owing fees. I believe that
> if this is becomes part of their role then there is no
> problem as far as Data Protection is concerned as fee
> collection is a legitimate interest of the University -
> providing they are cautious not to divulge information to
> anyone other than the student concerned.
>
> However the Student Union are objecting to this on the
> grounds of the Human Rights saying it could result in
> discrimination by the personal tutor. Currently anyone with
> access to the student system can tell by the the students'
> status that they are in debt to the University and references
> are not written for students in debt (usually written by the
> personal tutor). I am wondering if
> a) does the Human Rights Act apply to the collection of student fees?
> b) is the University in breach of Human Rights if we are not
> supplying references for students in debt?
> c) is there anything wrong with allowing all users of the
> student system to see the debtor statuses for students?
>
> Angela Vanscolina
> Data Protection and Information Officer
> Brunel University
> Uxbridge
> Middlesex UB8 3PH
> Telephone 01895 274000 Ext 3758
>
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