Source: https://es.vccs.edu/freedom-of-information-act-foia/
Timestamp: 2019-10-22 16:34:15
Document Index: 147247170

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1232', '§2', '§2', '§2', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2']

VirginiaFreedom of Information Act (FOIA) | Eastern Shore Community College
VirginiaFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Home > VirginiaFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Rights of Requesters and the Responsibilities under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act
Welcome to Eastern Shore Community College’s (ESCC) FOIA page. Before making a formal FOIA request, please check our Web site to ensure the information that you are in search of is not already available elsewhere.
Making a Request for Records from ESCC
From a practical perspective, it is 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. However, we cannot refuse to respond to your FOIA request if you elect to not put it in writing.
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 ESCC, nor does it require ESCC to create a record that does not exist.
You may choose to receive electronic records in any format used by ESCC in the regular course of business.
If we have questions about your request, please cooperate with staff’s efforts to clarify the type of records that you are seeking, or to attempt to reach a reasonable agreement about a response to a large request. Making an FOIA request is not an adversarial process, but we may need to discuss your request with you to ensure that we understand what records you are seeking.
Questions concerning requesting records from ESCC can be directed to Eve Belote at 757-789-1767 or ebelote@es.vccs.edu.
In addition, the Freedom of Information Advisory Council is available to answer any questions you may have about FOIA. The Council may be contacted by phone at 804-225-3056 or [toll free] 1-866-448-4100.
ESCC’s Responsibilities in Responding to Your Request
ESCC 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 ESCC is irrelevant, and we cannot ask you why you want the records before we respond to your request. FOIA does, however, allow ESCC to ask you to provide your name and legal address.
FOIA requires that ESCC make one of the following responses to your request within the five-day time period:
If it is practically impossible for ESCC 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 ESCC. 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, ESCC 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. ESCC commonly withholds records subject to the following exemptions:
Scholastic records (under the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, and §2.2-3704.4 (1) of the Code of Virginia)
Letters and statements of recommendation (§2.2-3705.4. (2) of the Code of Virginia)
Propriety information produced by faculty and staff in the conduct of scholarly research (§2.2-3705.4 (3) of the Code of Virginia)
Records subject to attorney-client privilege (§ 2.2-3705.1 (2) of the Code of Virginia) or attorney work product (§ 2.2-3705.1 (3) of the Code of Virginia)
Vendor proprietary information software (§ 2.2-3705.1 (6) of the Code of Virginia)
Records relating to the negotiation and award of a contract, prior to a contract being awarded (§ 2.2-3705.1 (12) of the Code of Virginia)
Freedom of Information Act – Code of Virginia
Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council – Public Comment Form