University Information

DSU Notes

1. The difficulty with which an 'ordinary' student may obtain certain types of information from the University administration.
2. That for instance although any member of the public may obtain details of Durham University investments by recourse to the TGC library in London, students at Durham University have no such easy access to such details in Durham itself.
3. The failure of the University administration to make clear, in a widely distributed document, exactly what students of this University are allowed to know about what the administration and its Committees do in their name.
4. The argument advanced by Old Shire Hall that the DSU President has access to all information, but further notes that in the past Presidents have not always felt able to pass on information even to Executive Committee and certainly not to 'ordinary' students, and still further notes that the President does not alone constitute the Union, and does not always find his judgement supported by those he leads and represents.
5. The administration policy that in many cases individual students must first state their case and credentials before being given access to information.
6. The uncooperative attitude of Old Shire Hall when approached for any kind of information other than that which they regard as reflecting well on the University
7. The general lack of openness that characterises the administration and government of this University
8. That the University is a community composed not only of administrators, but also of academics and students and that the administration exists to serve that community not to dictate to it.

DSU Believes:

1. That any student or staff member should be entitled to consult any University document (other than those relating to personal, academic records or medical matters) upon request and as a right as a member of the University.
2. That there should be a room in Old Shire Hall specifically set aside for consultation of such documents.
3. That the University should keep all students and staff informed of all major decisions of its committees, Senate and Council and not rely on DSU and Palatinate to do the job for them.
4. That it is essential that students are treated as the responsible adults they are.

Accordingly, DSU Resolves:

1. To mandate Exec to ascertain the full range of documents and information that any student may consult without first establishing his right to do so, if attempts to get the Old Shire Hall to do this are in vain.
2. To submit the findings to the next Council meeting in the form of a report.
3. That NUS Committee should submit a report to the next Council meeting stating the position in other Universities
4. The student members of the Joint Committee of DSU and Council should draw that body's attention to the matter.
5. That DSU should attempt to get support for such steps from any appropriate body and especially the Academic Electoral Assembly, as part of a move towards more open university government and administration in Durham.
6. To press the University to set aside a room in which students and staff on proof of their membership of this University and DSU may consult any University information, other than that concerning academic records and medical matters.