Public Information Requests
Open Records
The Texas Public Information Act provides the public a right of access to information collected, assembled, maintained, owned or controlled by a governmental body unless otherwise expressly provided by law. The act is found in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. Public information is defined as information “collected, assembled, or maintained in connection with the transaction of official business.”
Houston Community College is a governmental body subject to the act. Therefore, any member of the public may make a written request for access to or copies of public information. Public information must be disclosed “promptly.” How promptly is a matter of how easily accessible the information is, whether the records contain confidential information that must be redacted prior to disclosure, and whether an Attorney General ruling must be sought with regard to information that is subject to an exception. Most records are provided within 10 days, but some requests are so complex and voluminous that it may be several weeks before access is granted or denied.
When a request for information is received, it should be forwarded to the Office of General Counsel for immediate action. With limited exceptions, in order to withhold information, the General Counsel's Office must request an opinion from the Attorney General within ten business days from receipt of a request. Faculty members may release information from a student’s educational record directly to the student without sending the request to the General Counsel's Office.
Public Information
Public Information Request
A Public Information Request is submitted to request public access to certain information as described under Section 552.002 of the Texas Government Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I submit a public information request?
Public information requests must be submitted in writing. Requests can be submitted via electronic mail to recordsrequest@hccs.edu. A Public Information Request Form is available online to assist requestors with making public information requests.
To Whom & Where do I submit my public information request?
Public information requests may be sent by any one of the following methods:
- Hand delivery;
- U.S. mail to HCC Office of General Counsel Records Request, 3100 Main St., 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77002; or
- Email at recordsrequest@hccs.edu.
Requests must be sent in writing by the above means in order to be considered a valid request for information under the Texas Public Information Act.
What is the cost to obtain copies of records?
The cost to obtain records depends on a variety of factors including but not limited to the following:
- The format (i.e. paper, CD, DVD, etc.) the requestor wishes to receive the requested document
- Whether the record is in archive
- Whether computer programming is required to retrieve the requested data
For more information regarding the cost to obtain records, please see the Houston Community College Public Information Request Charge Fee Schedule below posted online.
| Description | Cost/Item |
| Standard-size paper copies (8 1/2 "X 11" or 8 1/2 "x 14") | $0.10/page |
| Oversized paper coy (11" x 17") | $0.50/page |
| Other | |
| Non-standard-size copies | |
| Diskette | $1.00/each |
| Magnetic Tape | |
|
$13.50/each |
|
$12.00/each |
|
$11.00/each |
| Data Cartridge | |
|
$17.50/each |
|
$20.00/each |
|
$25.00/each |
|
$35.00/each |
|
$20.00/each |
| Tape Cartridge | |
|
$38.00/each |
|
$45.00/each |
| VHS Video Cassette | $2.50/each |
| Audio Cassette | $1.00/each |
| Mylar | |
|
$0.85/linear foot |
|
$1.10/linear foot |
|
$1.35/linear foot |
| Blueline/Blueprint Paper | $0.20/linear foot |
| Personnel Charges | |
| 1. Programming Personnel Charges | $26.00/hour |
| 2. Other Personnel Charges* | $15.00/hour |
| 3. Overhead Charges (20% of Personnel Charges) | (Programming/Other Charge X .20) |
| Microfiche or Microfilm Charge | |
| 1. Paper copy | $0.10/page |
| 2. Fiche or film copy | Actual Cost |
| Remote Document Retrieval | Actual Cost |
| Computer Resource Charges | |
|
$10.00/minute |
|
$1.50/minute |
|
$2.20/hour |
|
$1.00/hour |
| Miscellaneous Supplies | Actual Cost |
| Postage/Shipping Charges | Actual Cost |
| Photographs | Actual Cost |
| Fax Charges | Actual Cost |
| Other Charges | Actual Cost |
| Outsources/Contracted Services | Actual Cost |
Other Personnel Charge only applies if the number of respon sive documents copied is greater than fifty (50) pages. Personnel Charge may include actual time to locate, compile, reproduce, and/or redact information.
* See 1 Texas Administrative Code §70.10.
What do I do if I receive a public information request?
If your department has received a public information request, please follow these steps:
- Date stamp the request upon receipt.
- Upon receipt, forward the request to the Office of General Counsel Records Request by email at recordsrequest@hccs.edu. Please do not send public information request through interoffice mail. Also note whether your department has documents that are responsive to the request.
- Provide copies (not originals) of the responsive documents to recordsrequest@hccs.edu by the established deadline. Please note that requests to review or receive copies of documents must be processed by the Office of General Counsel Records Request area.
- If the requested documents are inactive use or are in storage, please provide a date and time when the documents will be available for review.