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Public Records Request

The Office of General Counsel will typically acknowledge receipt of public records act requests within 3 business days. If you do not received an acknowledgement please call the number above. 

If a request is made directly to any other University Office, the staff are expected to immediately contact the Office of General Counsel to begin the process. The person making the request need not reveal their identity and are not required to put their request in writing.

It is the responsibility of the requester of public records to identify with clarity the records that are sought. The University is under no duty to seek out and retrieve records that contain specific information that is of interest to a requester. It is not appropriate to ask the University to search for records containing selected information. For example, a request for any and all records containing any reference to a particular person or subject is overly broad and inappropriate. Miami is under no obligation to create a record that contains the information requested if it does not already exist.

Inspection is permitted during regular University business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). However, not all records are available for inspection upon demand. Records must often be reviewed and non-public information redacted before inspection can be permitted. Records will be made available for inspection within a reasonable period of time following the request. The amount of time will depend upon the number of records requested, the location of the records, the medium in which the records are stored, the need for legal review, and the need to redact non-public information.

Copies or records will be provided at cost. However, not all records are available for copying upon demand. Records must often be reviewed and non-public information redacted before copying will be permitted. Copies will be provided within a reasonable period of time following the request. The amount of time will depend upon the number of records requested, the location of the records, the medium in which the records are stored and requested, the need for legal review, and the need to redact non-public information. Costs must be paid in advance before copies will be provided.

When a public records request is made to examine a personnel file, the employee, to the extent practicable, will be notified that his or her records have been requested and, if known, the name of the individual making the request.If a request is denied, in whole or in part, an explanation will be provided. If you are dissatisfied with the response to a public records request, please contact the Office of General Counsel for assistance.