Education fee increases at UCM

Summary

A request was made for meeting notes, calculations, and rationale regarding 2019 tuition fee increases at University College Isle of Man (UCM). The Department of Education, Sport and Culture released fee policy documents and board meeting extracts but withheld specific personal data under absolute exemption.

Key Facts

• The standard procedure for UCM fee updates is to apply an uplift based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• Some requested information was withheld as it constituted absolutely exempt personal data under section 25(2)(a) and (b)(i) of the Act.
• Board of Governors meeting extracts from March 28, 2019, discuss fee competitiveness and comparisons with Chester fees.
• The Non-resident fee for Higher Education was agreed to remain at £9,250.00 and not be increased as originally proposed.
• An email from Geoff Moorcroft confirms the fee increase was based on a 2.5% CPI reflection.

Data Disclosed

• 2019-08-13
• 2019-09-10
• 28th March 2019
• 2019/20
• £9250.00
• 2.5%
• page 5
• section 25 (2) (a) and (b) (i)
• Data Protection Act 2002
• Freedom of Information Act 2015

Exemptions Cited

• Section 25 (2) (a) and (b) (i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Absolutely exempt personal information)
• Data Protection Act 2002 (Contravention of data protection principles)

Original Request

Please provide all meeting notes, minutes and information including calculations and rationale for increasing degree module costs at UCM in 2019. Please also detail all tuition fee increases at UCM and the percentage that fees have increased. Many thanks.

Data Tables (6)

Full Response Text

Corporate Services Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Hamilton House Peel Road, Douglas IM1 5EZ Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im Our ref: 922955 10 September 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 13 August 2019 and which states:

"Please provide all meeting notes, minutes and information including calculations and rationale for increasing degree module costs at UCM in 2019. Please also detail all tuition fee increases at UCM and the percentage that fees have increased. Many thanks."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have enclosed copies of the information that is being released to you. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because it is absolutely exempt under section 25 (2) (a) and (b) (i) of the Act (absolutely exempt personal information). The reasons why that exemption applies is that: • It constitutes personal data of which the applicant is not the data subject; and • In a case where the information falls within any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of the definition of “data” in section 1(1) of the Data Protection Act 2002, the disclosure of the information to a member of the public (otherwise than under this Act) would contravene any of the data protection principles. The standard procedure for updates to fees is to apply an uplift of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This approach follows custom and practice over the years and University College Isle of Man has continued this for the 2019/20 fees. By way of advice and assistance the percentage that fees have increased is stated on page 5 of the enclosed document titled ‘UCM Fees and Policy Regulations’. In addition to the enclosed information the following are two extracts from the minutes of the meeting of the board of Governors of University College Isle of Man, which took place on Thursday 28th March 2019;

Extract 1 [Redacted] discussed UCM fees and Policy Regulations with the group and updates for next year 2019 – 2020. The discussion revolved around pitching the cost in the right place and between quality and price. [Redacted] pointed out that the HE Tender once awarded might have an impact on fees and demand a discussion. This could involve a bursary package and also with the Education Act there is a longer discussion to be had on how to stimulate the market and keep cost competitive.
[Redacted] raised that the Chester fees were lower that the UCM fees in some instances. [Redacted] clarified that research had already taken place to look at Chester fees and confirmed that they varied considerably for different programmes.
[Redacted] suggested we look at fees in line with market rates to be competitive. This current fee structure was agreed as long as the Non-resident fee for HE was kept at £9250.00 and not increased as proposed.

Extract 2 ACTION PLAN University College Isle of Man Meeting Date: 28th March 2019
Item Topic Action Responsibility Update 20/19 Fees and Policy Structure Passed onto DESC [Redacted] May 19 Please quote the reference number 922955 in any future communications.

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Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Coordinator

From: Geoff Moorcroft To: Cregeen, Graham Cc: Shimmin, Glenn; Mellor, Yvette (DOE) Subject: Re: Fees Policy Regulations 2019-20 -FINAL published Hi Minister           It’s based on 2.5% to reflect CPI.   Regards   Geoff Moorcroft Director of Education Education Improvement Service Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Rheynn Ynsee, Spoyrt as Cultoor) Hamilton House Peel Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 5EZ telephone;- (01624) mobile;- (07624) email;-    WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this email you must not copy or deliver it to anyone else or use it in any unauthorised manner.      From: "Cregeen, Graham" Date: Friday, 3 May 2019 at 14:32 To: "Moorcroft, Geoff" Cc: "Shimmin, Glenn" , "Mellor, Yvette (DOE)" Subject: Re: FW: Fees Policy Regulations 2019-20 -FINAL published   Hi Geoff   Can you confirm % increase please   Regards Graham  Hon Graham Cregeen MHK Member of House of Keys for Arbory Castletown and Malew Minister Department Education Sport and Culture  Hamilton House Peel Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 5EZ Contact numbers Redact Redact d Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted Department  +44 Parliamentary +44 Home +44 On 3 May 2019 at 13:59:02 BST, Moorcroft, Geoff wrote: Hi Minister           Please find attached the fees policy for UCM for 19-20.           The Governing Body has approved it but it will need Ministerial sign off before being implemented. Would you mind indicating your agreement or not, please?   Regards   Geoff Moorcroft Director of Education Education Improvement Service Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Rheynn Ynsee, Spoyrt as Cultoor) Hamilton House Peel Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 5EZ telephone;- (01624) mobile;- (07624) email;-    WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this email you must not copy or deliver it to anyone else or use it in any unauthorised manner.      From: Date: Friday, 3 May 2019 at 12:05 To: "Moorcroft, Geoff" Subject: Fees Policy Regulations 2019-20 -FINAL published   Hello Geoff,   This is the Fees Policy now updated with all revisions and reflecting discussion at the last Governors Meeting.     Thanks,         This email and any attachment(s) contains confidential information that is intended for the addressee only. Redact Redacted Reda t d Redacted Redacted Redacted Redact d Redacted Redacted Redacted No contract is intended by this email and any personal opinions expressed in this message are those of the sender and should not be taken as representing views of the University College Isle of Man. Please note that disclosure, reproduction, dissemination, modification and distribution of the contents of the email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this Email transmission in error, please notify the sender and remove its contents from your inbox. Note that emails may be monitored for security and training purposes. The sender will not be liable for direct, indirect or consequently damage arising from any alteration of the contents of this email and any attachments or as a result of any virus. WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this e-mail, please delete it and notify the sender as soon as possible. No employee or agent is authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of any of the Departments or Statutory Boards of the Isle of Man Government with any party by e-mail without express written confirmation by a Manager of the relevant Department or Statutory Board. RAAUE: S’preevaadjagh yn çhaghteraght post-l shoh chammah’s coadanyn erbee currit marish as ta shoh coadit ec y leigh. Cha nhegin diu coipal ny cur eh da peiagh erbee elley ny ymmydey yn chooid t’ayn er aght erbee dyn kied leayr veih’n choyrtagh. Mannagh nee shiu yn enmyssagh kiarit jeh’n phost-l shoh, doll-shiu magh eh, my sailliu, as cur-shiu fys da’n choyrtagh cha leah as oddys shiu. Cha nel kied currit da failleydagh ny jantagh erbee conaant y yannoo rish peiagh ny possan erbee lesh post-l er son Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh erbee jeh Reiltys Ellan Vannin dyn co- niartaghey scruit leayr veih Reireyder y Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh t’eh bentyn rish. Isle of Man. Giving you freedom to flourish

From: Pretty, Jo To: Moorcroft, Geoff Cc: Shimmin, Glenn; Barr, Ronald Subject: RE: Fees Policy Regulations 2019-20 -FINAL published Date: 28 May 2019 16:31:37 Attachments: image001.png image002.png Great thanks Geoff.  We will go ahead with the adult and community fees as communicated to you by .  If there are any changes in other areas, please let me know. Jo   From: Moorcroft, Geoff Sent: 28 May 2019 14:41 To: Pretty, Jo Cc: Shimmin,

; Barr, Ronald Subject: Re: Fees Policy Regulations 2019-20 -FINAL published   Hi Jo           I checked this with the Minister last week and he gave authorisation (verbally) for any increase that was in line with CPI. As I understand it, the fees were increased in line with this.   Regards   Geoff Moorcroft Director of Education Education Improvement Service Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Rheynn Ynsee, Spoyrt as Cultoor) Hamilton House Peel Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 5EZ telephone;- (01624) mobile;- (07624) email;-    WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this email you must not copy or deliver it to anyone else or use it in any unauthorised manner.      From: "Pretty, Jo" Date: Tuesday, 28 May 2019 at 12:37 To: "Moorcroft, Geoff" Subject: FW: Fees Policy Regulations 2019-20 -FINAL published   Hi Geoff I have been chasing up about this since the last governors meeting.    I phoned and spoke to earlier about this.  Do you know if it was approved by the minister please, as the deadline for printing the courier is this Thursday, so we need to be sure all the leisure and Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacte Redacte Redacted Redacted Redacted Redacted Reda t d Reda t d recreation (ACE) fees are correct before going to print.   Can you call me this afternoon please? Thank you Jo     Jo Pretty Principal     University College Isle of Man, Homefield Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 6RB | Tel: (01624) |  www.ucm.ac.im         From:

Sent: 28 May 2019 11:47 To: Pretty, Jo Subject: FW: Fees Policy Regulations 2019-20 -FINAL published   Hi Jo,   This is the e mail I sent to Geoff on the 3rd May.  The fees themselves haven’t changed, although the narrative has.  I have attached the final Fees Policy which we are asking to be approved.         Tel     University College Isle of Man, Homefield Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 6RB | Tel: (01624) |  www.ucm.ac.im     From:

Sent: 03 May 2019 12:05 To: Moorcroft, Geoff Redac Redacted Redacted Reda t d Redacted Redact d Redacted Redacted

UCM FEES AND POLICY REGULATIONS

1 of 5 Fees Policy and Policy Regulations 2019-20
2019-20

1. Normally students will only be permitted to join courses if the appropriate fees have been paid or the student is exempt from paying course fees. The only exception is where employers or other sponsors are to be invoiced, or if payment by instalments have been agreed.

1.1 Any default in the payment of fees may debar the student from subsequent course and examination entries. 1.2 The first instalment will be due before the commencement of the course and the final instalment must be paid before the commencement of any continuation of the same course. 1.3 Acceptance of an instalment package is a commitment to pay the agreed fee in full. It should not be considered as a ‘pay as you go’ scheme.

1. For most award-bearing courses there will be an integrated fee that will incorporate tuition, registration and normal examination fees. Supplementary examination fees will be charged as appropriate. For most courses, charges for standard materials and equipment will be included in the integrated fee or charged separately.

2. Course Fees will be determined annually according to the following guidelines:

3.1 A Non Resident Fee for further education full-time courses will be based on the full cost of supporting a student at the College.

3.2 Higher Education Fees will be set to meet local circumstances and in consultation with the Department of Education Sport and Culture and partner HE institutions.

3.3 The Resident Fee for full-time further education courses will be set at a proportion of the Non Resident Fee, which in most cases will be 50% of that Fee. The Resident Fee will reflect the average funding per student allocated by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, DESC.

3.4 For part-time courses that are related to full-time courses a proportion of the appropriate full-time Resident Fee will be levied determined from the full-time equivalence of the course on a credit/unit basis.

3.5 The non-subsidised part-time course fee is based on the hourly equivalent of the F

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