PUBLIC RECORDS

Public records for a state institution includes any writing in virtually any form, which contains information relating to the conduct of university business and which is prepared, owned, used or retained by the university. This includes, but is not limited to, electronic media, paper, e-mail, microfilm, videotape, magnetic tape, and disks (CDs). Only existing documents are releasable.

Contact Information

Barbara Lechtanski; Public Records Officer
Western Washington University
516 High St.
MS 1420B
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 650 - 2728

Request Procedures

• Records are requested on a Public Records Request form which can be printed from the following link: printable form, or you may request the form by contacting the Public Records Officer at 360-650-2728.

• Please complete Sections I and II of the form, and be specific in describing the records you want to see.

• Please submit this form either by mail or by fax to (360) 650-4228. You can also submit a request in person by making an appointment with the Public Records Officer. We do not accept electronic submission of requests.

• As the coordinator for the release of records, the Public Records Officer will process the request to the appropriate department. If there is a question on whether or not the requested records are disclosable under RCW 42.56, a determination will be sought from legal counsel.

• The Public Records Officer will respond to a request within five business days of receipt of the request in the Public Records Office. The response may take one of the following forms:

  • Acknowledging the request and giving a reasonable date for providing the records. This date may be extended as necessary to accommodate the collection and processing of the records.

  • Providing the requested records.

  • Denying the request and providing an explanation for the denial.

  • Requesting a clarification of the request.

• Documents not under any exemptions are prepared for release to the requestor.

• A copy fee of 15 cents per page is charged to the requestor, unless the request is less than 10 pages. This fee must be paid prior to release of the copied records; no documents will be released without payment.

• The requestor should make a check payable to WWU, Public Records Office, and mail it to the Public Records Officer at the address above; copies are then released to the requestor.

• If the request involves a large amount of documentation, a review of these materials will be arranged with the requestor and the department(s) holding the records. If the requestor would like copies of any reviewed documents, these can be ordered at the time of the review and picked up at an agreed time. Payment for the copies must be made to the department at the time the copies are picked up.