Requestors need not identify themselves or the purpose for the request except as specifically required or authorized by state or federal law or in accordance with the Public Records Law. The university may require disclosure of the requestor’s identify or the intended use of requested directory information to ascertain whether the directory information is for use in a profit-making plan or activity which is prohibited by law (R.C. 3319.321(A).)

Requestors may also view the university’s current records retention schedule:

Shawnee State may deny a request for public records when the requestor makes an ambiguous or overly broad request or the university cannot reasonably identify the public records being requested. Effort will be made to assist the requestor in revising the request.

TIMELINESS OF RESPONSE TO REQUESTS: Requests will be honored as promptly as possible. The university shall respond to public records requests within five working days. If a response cannot be provided within five working days, notice will be provided to the requestor explaining the delay and when the records should be released.

If a requestor makes an ambiguous or overly broad request or has difficulty in making a request for copies or inspection of public records such that the university cannot reasonably identify what public records are being requested, the university may deny the request but will provide the requestor with an opportunity to revise the request by informing the requestor of the manner in which records are maintained and accessed in the ordinary course of university business.

NON-PUBLIC RECORDS: Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 includes among nonpublic records which are not subject to a public records request:

Information contained in records that is not subject to release under ORC shall be either visibly redacted or the requestor shall be informed why requested records may not be viewed, including legal authority. If the request was made in writing, the reasons for redaction or failure to release will be provided in writing.

COPIES: In the event that the requestor requests copies of records, copied records may be duplicated on paper or the same medium as the university maintains them. The university will charge $.05 per copied paper page, $1 for compact disc, and there is no charge for an electronic transfer. Postage will be charged for requests for records to be mailed. The copied records may be held until the requestor pays for the copies and the postage.

APPEALS: Procedures for appeal of the university’s response to a request are outlined in ORC 149.43 (C)(1) a copy of which is available in the Office of the President.