The New York State Freedom of Information Law gives individuals the right of access to certain public records. Monroe Community College has adopted a policy and procedure to guide the process of requesting records and fulfilling those requests.
As stated in the Freedom of Information Law, "each agency shall, in accordance with its published rules, make available for public inspection and copying all records, except that such agency may deny access to records or portions thereof...." Details on what kinds of records the public may be denied access to are described on the web site of the Committee on Open Government.
Agencies are not required to create records in order to fulfill a request under the Freedom of Information Law.
Requesters may inspect documents or request copies of documents.
No fee is charged for the inspection of records, unless redaction is required. The process of redaction requires the creation of a copy in order to preserve the original document. As such, the $0.25/page fee applies.
MCC charges for copies of records, except those that can be provided to the requestor electronically, when no redaction is required. The fee for copies is $0.25/page or the actual cost of the storage device (e.g. a USB drive) necessary for providing the record.
See the College's Freedom of Information Law Procedure for complete details on fees and accessing records.
Under the New York State Freedom of Information Law, state agencies may deny access to records or portions thereof. §87(2) details when records may be withheld.
Requesters may appeal the withholding of records in writing within 30 days to:
Dr. Craig M. Ross (cross13@monroecc.edu)
Chief Financial Officer/Vice President, Administrative Services
Monroe Community College
1000 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, New York 14623
The appeals officer shall inform the requester of his or her decision in writing within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal.
A final denial of access to a requested record shall be subject to court review, as provided for in Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
