Court Opinion

ID: 3898926
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 09:30:07.406527+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:15:44.985197
License: Public Domain

Honorable Carl A. Parker Chairman Senate Education Committee Texas State Senate P. O. Box 12068, Capitol Station Austin, Texas 78711
Re: Whether student evaluations of faculty members are open to the public if they are used to make promotion and salary decisions
Dear Senator Parker:
You have requested our opinion as to whether student evaluations of faculty members are open to the public under the Open Records Act, article 6252-17a, V.T.C.S., if such evaluations are a factor in determining faculty tenure, promotions and/or salary. You suggest that such information might be excepted from disclosure by section 3(a)(2) of the Open Records Act, as:
  information in personnel files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
The scope of employee privacy under section 3(a)(2) is very narrow. Open Records Decision Nos. 336, 315 (1982). It may be invoked only when information reveals `intimate details of a highly personal nature.' Open Records Decision Nos. 315 (1982); 298, 284 (1981). In Open Records Decision No. 316 (1982), the attorney general ruled that disclosure of even highly subjective comments from character references ordinarily does not, without more, constitute a `clearly unwarranted' invasion of personal privacy.
In our opinion, however, individualized student evaluations are excepted from disclosure by sections 3(a)(14) and 14(e) of the Open Records Act. Open Records Decision No. 332 (1982). Even unsigned student comments might make the student's identity `easily traceable through the handwriting, style of expression, or the particular incidents related in the comments.' Open Records Decision No. 224 (1979). Even if the information does not identify individual students and is not in their handwriting, it may be withheld if there is a relatively small number of students to which it could be applicable. Open Records Decision No. 294 (1981). Thus, at the present time, it appears that, although section 3(a)(2) might occasionally except particular student evaluations of faculty members, it ordinarily does not do so. Such evaluations are excepted by section 3(a)(14), however, if they identify individual students or their identities are easily detectable therefrom.
In certain circumstances, student evaluations might also be withheld under section 3(a)(11) of the Open Records Act, which excepts from disclosure:
  inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than one in litigation with the agency.
Evaluations may be excepted by this provision. Open Records Decision Nos. 345 (1982); 168 (1977). This office has recognized that section 3(a)(11) applies to advice, opinion, and recommendations prepared by consultants to a public body. See Open Record Decision Nos. 344, 335 (1982); 298, 293, 273 (1981). The scope of the term `consultants' has not been definitively established, but it certainly includes persons who are authorized to act, and do in fact act, in an official capacity on behalf of a governmental body. Open Records Decision Nos. 283, 273 (1981). Whether a student evaluator may properly be deemed a `consultant' will depend upon the facts of each particular case. In our opinion, the student, in order to be regarded as a `consultant' under section 3(a)(11) must, at a minimum, make his evaluation in response to a duty arising from a properly authorized request from the university administration.
 SUMMARY
Student evaluations of faculty members may be withheld from the public under section 3(a)(14) of the Open Records Act if they identify individual students. Such evaluations may also be withheld as intra-agency memoranda pursuant to section 3(a)(11) under certain circumstances.
Very truly yours,
  Jim Mattox Attorney General of Texas
  Tom Green First Assistant Attorney General
  David R. Richards Executive Assistant Attorney General
  Prepared by Rick Gilpin Assistant Attorney General