Thank you Katie
I love when academics (known for their rigorous research) react to 'tabloid headlines' and suggest various conspiracy theories and take a stand, rather than carry out some fairly basic research....
There are bound to be cases of people having to jump through additional hoops but I really don't see the right to work check we face as externals being on anything like the same scale of other actions and policies brought in as a result of May's hostile environment.
Imho there are many far more important matters for academics to take a stand on, mark and degree inflation for starters (I'm ignoring the clear and present global heating catastrophe).
Neil
-----Original Message-----
From: External examiners discussion forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Katie Akerman
Sent: 23 January 2020 11:34
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: British professor quits as external examiner over passport check
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As an administrator I am as fed up as those of you on the receiving end but...
Have HMRC updated their stipulation? (and if not, they should - CVCP, seriously?)- which says:
The tax treatment of external examiners engaged by universities is currently under review by the CVCP and HMRC. In the meantime, examiners up to and including first degree level should be treated as employees of the university.
Treating examiners as employees means following this... https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/773780/An_employer_s_guide_to_right_to_work_checks_-_January_2019.pdf
So, no, you don't need to provide a passport - but, your birth certificate or any other equivalent document... Like a passport!
We give our examiners and advisers the lists set out in the Home Office document, link above.
Katie
-----Original Message-----
From: External examiners discussion forum <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Derek Robbins
Sent: 23 January 2020 11:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: British professor quits as external examiner over passport check
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Good for him - perhaps if more of us made a stand !!!
I have two comments.
1. In the article Middlesex Uni said it "follows Home Office guidance when recruiting permanent and temporary staff, including external examiners."
Experts on here will correct me no doubt but I am not sure that is true. I do not think there is a legal requirement or even Home Office advice to inspect passports, that has just developed as HR practice within the sector
2. I was really (really really) surprised by some of the comments made in response to the article that were supporting current practice. When all is said and done the role of External Examiner is a small part time role we willingly undertake to preserve and protect standards - and you cannot get away from the fact it is over the top bureaucracy given we are virtually all 'legally' employed in our main roles by UK Universities.
For my part I have refused to post passports (recorded delivery or not) to Institutions - but more on grounds of personal concerns over 'lost documents' than on a point of principle. However towards the end of the article makes the wider point that the sector contributes to 'perpetuating the hostile environment' and this has got me thinking about the wider issues resulting from current practice.
Derek
________________________________________
From: External examiners discussion forum <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Abbes Berrais <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2020 10:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: British professor quits as external examiner over passport check
"A British academic has rejected an invitation to act as an external examiner because of what he said were unnecessary passport checks that fed into a "culture of fear" created by the Home Office's attitude towards immigration.
Eric Barendt, emeritus professor of law at UCL, said that he was "amazed and appalled" to be asked to produce a passport, either in person or in the post, so that he could externally examine a PhD at Middlesex University."
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeshighereducation.com%2Fnews%2Fbritish-professor-quits-external-examiner-over-passport-check&data=02%7C01%7Cdrobbins%40BOURNEMOUTH.AC.UK%7C7ef7fddcff60403b625508d79f8b7279%7Cede29655d09742e4bbb5f38d427fbfb8%7C0%7C1%7C637153293577436823&sdata=8K9oxu7cSmx1%2FC%2B9ZpN3F7H0L0iWhz4ExjYfQ6cmZto%3D&reserved=0
Abbes Berrais
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