Information overload

You can have just too much information

I’ve written before about the questionable benefits of the Freedom of Information Act, particularly in relation to universities.

Tony Blair, reflecting back in 2010 on his government’s introduction of the Freedom of Information Act, regarded it as a particularly unwise step and himself as idiotic for pushing it.

Moreover:

He claims that FOI is not used, for the most part, by “the people”, but by journalists. His view is that “For political leaders, it’s like saying to someone who is hitting you over the head with a stick, ‘Hey, try this instead’, and handing them a mallet.”

It doesn’t feel wholly dissimilar in universities and the number of FOI requests we receive at the University of Nottingham continues to grow. It’s not just the numbers though but the subject of some of these which just makes you question the benefits of this particular piece of legislation:

The cost of open day clothing worn by staff and students
Number of registered users for all libraries over 3 years
Number of times named pornographic websites have been accessed from March to August 2015
Number of bodies donated to the university for anatomical examination over 5 years
Amount spent on art for university buildings and most expensive piece between 2010-15
Chaplaincy – Denomination, financial contribution by the University and space occupied
Information on drug testing of students before exams
Costs for prayer rooms and funding for religious societies and other societies
Spend on electrical work over the past three years
We’re asked for our youngest PVC
FOI and SARs responded to on time and not on time in 2014
Total number of FOI requests received in 2014
Number of deaths on university property over past 10 years
Money spent by the University on Christmas Trees, decorations and parties
Total number of FOI requests we’ve had over the past five years
Costs of fire incidents in kitchens of Halls over past 3 years
URLs of any websites blocked by the University
Legal action against student protestors
Number times university has used contracted incident response services
The cost of buffets and banquets
The amount University has spent on garments this year
A list of items reported lost or stolen in Library
Contact details for electrical PAT testing companies used
Total student disciplinary fines 2014/15
Information relating to students and caffeinated beverages
Number of examination scripts lost over 5 years plus resolutions and compensation
Number of ice cleats bought over 3 years and number of accidents due to icy/snowy conditions