Hi
It seems obvious that the original department was pretty lax in establishing
the conditions under which discussions with the student were held, there
would be scope to tighten up that area of staff-student interaction.
This unfortunately would preclude a fully confidential discussion with any
student forevermore. Although of course no such discussion could ever be
fully confidential if the student came out with serious enough stuff to
warrant disclosure.
I speak as someone who has occasionally had discussions with students about
their academic performance and reasons why it is not up to scratch. I've
never announced confidentiality but then I've only had discussions with
students who (I think) would assume my confidentiality. Thankfully I've
never had the kind of conversation where I would have had to disclose the
contents to the University at large or the Police. I have managed to turn
one student around spectacularly; to him eventually getting a first rather
than failing or dropping out, and as a sometimes uni lecturer I would really
be worried if all conversations with students were subject to a 'routine'
disclosure warning because I would think that would harm the potential
effectiveness of those conversations.
So I have no advice here, just ponderings.
One question that crops up in my mind is the severity of these illegal
activities - are they simple misdemeanours (e.g. all students in residences
seem to steal at least one road cone at some time), the nature of 'might
pose a threat' (e.g. influence them to steal a road cone vs. the more
serious gun example quoted earlier). Another question is the firmness of
evidence; 'gleaned' is the word used earlier.
If things aren't too severe this student could simply be advised that a year
out is the best route - a dose of the 'real' world often does wonders. This
can be given by the 'confidential' discussant under the rubric of 'I hear
(because department B asked us about your performance) that you have applied
for dept B: Given your past performance it is likely that this application
would be refused, but I imagine that the situation could well change if you
went to work for a year and came back with good work-place references
showing that you have a new attitude to self-application.' But note no point
in compounding things, in this case the advice should reflect reality.
If on the other hand there is a real and serious (nb serious) treat to other
students, then (I am not giving legal advice, just speaking as a lay person)
presumably there is a need for police etc involvement.
I see advice from Antionette Carter has just arrived, it looks good to me.
regards
mark
On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 2:51 PM, Simon Howarth
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> My apologies, regarding my message below. I don't mean 3(b) in the first
> paragraph, I meant 3(a)(ii) - sorry.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Simon Howarth
> Sent: 19 May 2009 14:26
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [data-protection] confidential information and internal data
> re-use
>
> Firstly, why can't you use the vital interests? At least in so far as
> schedule 3 is concerned 3(b) "...protect the vital interests of another
> person". That covers sensitive information - would it cover "the commission
> or alleged commission of any offence"?
>
>
> In so far as Schedule 2 is concerned I would say that the protection of
> other people falls within either para 3 and/or para 6. I would suggest that
> you can therefore legitimately share this information so long as you are
> certain of the "facts".
>
> If something is given confidentially then of course confidentiality should
> be maintained. However, if they are involved in illegal activity, then do
> you not have recourse to section 29?
>
> As for which option is best. Much better to incur the "wrath" of one angry
> student, than the wrath of everyone if they end up doing serious harm to
> someone, or God forbid, going on the rampage with a gun (extreme example,
> but you get my drift).
>
> This is just off the top of my head....
>
> Simon Howarth.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Okey, Andrew
> Sent: 19 May 2009 14:05
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [data-protection] confidential information and internal data
> re-use
>
> Colleagues,
>
> Your opinion would be welcome on the following scenario:
>
> When students first register at Lancaster University they are given a
> Fair Processing notice that makes clear to them that data collected by
> any part of the university may be used in support of all the
> typical/routine functions of the university, including the management of
> academic programmes, the operation of disciplinary and welfare services
> etc. It is also made clear that information will be shared amongst staff
> when (but only when) there is an operational need.
>
> Student X performs poorly in his chosen course, and asks to restart on a
> new course. In considering X's restart request the admissions office
> collates information on X's status, performance and personal history to
> date, including formal records of disciplinary action taken against X on
> one occasion.
>
> In my role as DP office, I am then approached by X's original academic
> department, who indicate they have had several conversations with the
> student, which the student believed to be confidential, and which were
> conducted so that the department could better understand what was
> affecting X's academic performance. The information gleaned from those
> conversations suggest that X could potentially be (a) involved in some
> illegal activity and/or (b) that they might pose a threat to the
> wellbeing of other students he may come into contact with.
>
> Do I advise the department to pass this information to the admissions
> operation? The main argument against would be that of Fair Processing -
> the data (some of it possibly sensitive) was collected for one purpose,
> and is now to be used for a very different one, with the student not
> having been approached about this (and, because the data is probably at
> least partly sensitive, that means we need consent, which I doubt will
> be forthcoming).
>
> The main argument in favour would be that we have a broader duty to
> protect other students, which means we have to use this data to inform
> our decision about restart. This course of action places more weight on
> our duty of care than on our observance of DP law - after all, X is not
> a threat to HIMSELF, so we can't use the "vital interests" argument.
>
> Anyone want to comment on which of the two issues we'd be better off
> being sued for? Or is there a way out of this mess?
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Andrew Okey
> Administrative Officer
> Student Registry
> Lancaster University
> [log in to unmask]
> 01524-592138 (internal ext: 92138)
>
>
>
>
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