Source: http://www.vsu.edu/about/leadership/vp-Institutional-advancement/departments/university-relations/university-relations-foia.php
Timestamp: 2017-12-18 05:17:48
Document Index: 667555169

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2', '§ 2', '§2', '§2', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2']

FOIA Information - Virginia State University
Trojan Swag Bag
NOTICE: As of July 1, 2012, all Freedom of Information requests to Virginia State University should come to the Office of Communications at (804) 524-3085 or via e-mail at FOIA@vsu.edu .
The Rights of Requesters and the Responsibilities of Virginia State University under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act:
A public record is any writing or recording- regardless of whether it is a paper record, an electronic file, an audio or video recording, or any other format- that is prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business. All public records are presumed to be open, and may only be withheld if a specific, statutory exemption applies.
Making a Request for records from Virginia State University
You may request records by mail, fax, or in person.
From a practical perspective, it may be helpful to both you and the person receiving your request to put your request in writing. This allows you to create a record of your request. It also gives us a clear statement of what records you are requesting, so that there is no misunderstanding over a verbal request.
Your request must identify the records you are seeking with "reasonable specificity." This is a common-sense standard and it requires that you be specific enough so that we can identify and locate the records that you are seeking.
Your request must ask for existing records or documents. FOIA gives you a right to inspect or copy records; it does not apply to a situation where you are asking general questions about the work of Virginia State University nor does it require Virginia State University to create a record that does not exist.
To request records from Virginia State University, you may direct your request to the VSU University Relations office, (804) 524-5045, e-mail FOIA@vsu.edu.
Virginia State University’s Responsibilities in Responding to Your Request
Virginia State University must respond to your request within five working days of receiving it. "Day One" is considered the day after your request is received. The five-day period does not include weekends or holidays.
The reason behind your request for public records from Virginia State University is irrelevant, and we cannot ask you why you want the records before we respond to your request. FOIA does, however, allow Virginia State University to ask you to provide your name and legal address.
FOIA requires that Virginia State University make one of the following responses to your request within the five-day time period:
4) If it is practically impossible for Virginia State University to respond to your request within the five-day period, we must state this in writing, explaining the conditions that make the response impossible. This will allow us seven additional working days to respond to your request, giving us a total of 12 working days to respond to your request.
You may have to pay for the records that you request from Virginia State University. FOIA allows us to charge for the actual costs of responding to FOIA requests. This would include items like staff time spent searching for the requested records, copying costs, or any other costs directly related to supplying the requested records. It cannot include general overhead costs.
If you owe us money from a previous FOIA request that has remained unpaid for more than 30 days, Virginia State University may require payment of the past-due bill before it will respond to your new FOIA request.
The Code of Virginia allows any public body to withhold certain records from public disclosure. Virginia State University commonly withholds records subject to the following exemptions:
Records subject to attorney-client privilege (§ 2.2-3705 .1 (2)) or attorney work product (§ 2.2-3705.1 (3))
Tests or examinations used, administered or prepared for the purpose of evaluation of any student or any student’s performance (§2.2-3705.1(4))
Records recorded in or compiled for use in closed meetings of the Board of Visitors. (§2.2-3705.1(5))
Computer software developed for the University (§ 2.2-3705.1 (7))
Information that described the design, function, operation or access control features of University security systems (§ 2.2-3705.2 (3))
Scholastic records containing information concerning identifiable individuals, except that such access shall not be denied to the person who is the subject of that information (§ 2.2-3705.4 (1))
Data, records or information of a proprietary nature produced or collected by or for faculty or staff of the University in the conduct of or as a result of study or research on scientific, technical or scholarly issues, where such data, records or information has not been publicly released, published, copyrighted or patented (§ 2.2-3705.4 (3))
Individual health records (§ 2.2-3705.5 (1))