Frequently Asked Questions

• What are public records?
  Public records:

  • Include any writing in virtually any form, including, but not limited to, electronic media, paper, e-mail, microfilm, videotape, magnetic tape, and discs (CDs).
  • Contain information relating to the conduct of university business or the performance of any university governmental or proprietary function.
  • Are prepared, owned, used, or retained by the university.

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• What is a valid public records request?
  • It is a request from a member of the public for university records that meet the definition of a public record.
  • It is not a request from a university department or employee acting in an official university capacity. An employee acting on his or her own behalf and not on behalf of the university may submit a public records request. If this is the case, university resources must not be used to make the request.

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• How does one make a request?
  • A request must seek an "identifiable record." This means the description the requester provides must tell the university how to identify the records requested and, if possible, where at WWU the records can be found.
  • If the request is not clear, the university may request clarification. If the requester fails to clarify the request, the university need not respond to the request.
  • Only existing identifiable records are public records. The law does not require the creation of new records to respond to a public records request.

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• To whom should a request be made?
  The request should be provided to:
  
  Public Records Officer
  516 High Street
  MS - 9015
  Bellingham, WA 98225
  Faz: 360-650-4228 Top
• Must all university records without deletions be provided in a public records request?
  No. The law provides exemptions from public disclosure. Just a few examples follow:

  • Residential address or telephone number of university employees or volunteers. However, if an individual has released their personal information to the university Name and Address File, they have given permission to have it released as public information.
  • Social security numbers.
  • Lists of individuals requested for commercial purposes.
  • Medical records of university personnel.
  • Unsuccessful applicants' applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted by applicant.
  • Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer any examination.
  • Student education records as provided under the FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
  • Library information about library users.
  • Credit and debit card numbers, account numbers, expiration dates, and personal financial data.
  • Identity of a university employee who seeks advice in connection with a possible unfair practice and who requests that his or her identity and any identifying information not be disclosed in conformance with RCW 49.60.
  • Portions of records assembled, prepared, or maintained to prevent, mitigate, or respond to criminal terrorist acts if public disclosure would have a substantial likelihood of threatening public safety.
  • Information regarding the infrastructure and security of computer and telecommunications networks to the extent they identify specific system vulnerabilities.

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• What is the university's response time?
  Once the Public Records Office receives a request, it must respond within five business days.
  
  The response will consist of one of the following:

  • The release of the records.
  • The basis for and denial of the request.
  • A request for clarification of the request.
  • A time estimate for when the university believes it might be able to find the records and provide the records and/or exemption reasons. This time period is subject to change depending on the difficulties and size of the public records request.

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• Is a public records request confidential?
  No. Once a public records request is received, it becomes a public record of the university, as explained above. When records are gathered to fulfill a request, the records may contain the names of employees, students or third parties. The university routinely notifies individuals regarding disclosure of records that contain their name or other identifiers. Requesters should be aware that notices typically include the name of the requester and/or a copy of the request. Top
• What if the responsive records include documents that should have been destroyed in accordance with the retention schedule?
  Once a public records request is received, you may not destroy records that should have been previously destroyed under the retention schedule, including email. Top
• Are there costs connected with a public records request?
  • No, if the requester only wants to view the requested records. The Public Records Request Form has a box one can check if this is the requester's choice. During inspection of the records, University personnel will be present with a person who views the records to insure protection of the records and to maintain the order of the records.
  • Yes, if the requester wants a copy of the requested records. WWU charges a 15-cent per page fee for copying and reproduction of the records. WWU may also charge for the costs of mailing the records to the requester.

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• Can an employee make a public records request for his or her personnel file?
  The law provides that employees can view their own personnel records. They should contact University Human Resource Services if they wish to do so. An employee should not submit a public records request to view his or her own personnel file. Top
• Can a student make a public records request for his or her own student education records?
  Students have the right to view their own student education records. They should contact the University Registrar's Office if they wish to do so. Student records are not public records and are protected by FERPA. A student should not submit a public records request to view his or her own personal student education records. Top
• Should a university department that wants information or documents from another university department go through the Public Records Office for those records?
  University departments are not the public and should never use a public records request as a method to obtain assistance from another university department. Official university business should be a direct transaction between the departments involved. Top
• Do you still have questions about the public records process?
  If so, please contact the Public Records Office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on regular University workdays. You may telephone the Public Records Officer, Barbara Lechtanski, at 360-650-2728. We will try to help you. Top
• What protocol does WWU follow for litigation holds of electronic documents?
  Here is the litigation holds of electronic document (.pdf) Top