Public Records

 

The Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66 & Chapter 4, Section 7(26)) provides that every person has a right to access public information. This right of access includes the right to inspect or be furnished a copy of any public record, or to be notified of a denial of such a request, within ten (10) business days following the receipt of a request. In order to assist members of the public with accessing public records in the custody of the College, the following guidelines are provided.

What are Public Records?

The public records maintained by the College include, but are not limited to:

• Minutes of open meetings;

• Policies and procedures;

• Annual Reports required by state or federal law;

• Institutional or departmental annual reports;

• Institutional or departmental annual budgets;

• Awards of federal, state and municipal government grants;

• Contracts and agreements;

• Bids for a contract or agreement that has been awarded or finally rejected;

• Financial and budget information;

• Audit reports by an independent, certified public accountant; and

• Salaries and benefits of public employees.

Exemptions and Limitations

Records generally considered exempt from disclosure under the law include:

• Documents exempted from disclosure by statute;

• Student records and transcripts - more information on Student Transcripts;

• Criminal record information;

• Personnel or medical files or information;

• Any material or data relating to a specifically named individual, the disclosure of which may constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

• Inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters relating to policy positions being developed by the College;

• Personal notes or materials not maintained as part of the College s official files;

• Investigatory materials compiled by law enforcement or investigatory officials the disclosure of which would prejudice the possibility of effective law enforcement;

• Trade secrets and commercial or financial information provided to an agency for use in developing governmental policy and upon a promise of confidentiality;

• Proposals and bids to enter into a contract or agreement before the contract or agreement is awarded of finally rejected;

• Real property appraisals;

• Test information, including questions, answers, scoring keys and other materials used to develop, administer or score a test, examination or assessment instrument;

• Blueprints, plans, policies, procedures and schematic drawings, which relate to internal layout and structural elements, security measures, emergency preparedness, threat or vulnerability assessments, or any other records relating to the security or safety of persons, buildings, structures, facilities, utilities, transportation or other infrastructure located within the commonwealth, the disclosure of which, in the reasonable judgment of the custodian is likely to jeopardize public safety;

• Home addresses and phone numbers of State employees; and

• Home addresses and phone numbers of a family member of a State employee.

How to Request Public Records

Public records may be requested by contacting the Records Access Officer.

Contact Information:

Rebecca Oliver
Records Access Officer
Phone: 978-762-4000 x4161
Email: roliver@northshore.edu

Transcript Request and Diploma or Certificate Reorders are handled by the Office of the Registrar by email: registrar@northshore.edu or phone: 978-762-4076

Within 10 business day of receipt of the request, you will either receive the record or will be contacted in writing. Written responses will be to acknowledge the request and provide a date the records will be available, to deny the request with an explanation of the denial, or to ask for further clarification.

Please keep in mind the College's response time will depend on the number of public record requests being processed by the College, how many records are responsive to the request, how old the records being requested are, and how specific the request is.

 

Massachusetts Public Information Websites

COMMBUYS is the official procurement record system for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Departments. COMMBUYS offers free internet-based access to all public procurement information in order to promote transparency, increase competition, and achieve best value for Massachusetts taxpayers.

Visit the COMMBUYS website

CTHRU is the Office of the Comptroller s new transparency site for state spending and payroll. It provides spending data going back to fiscal year 2010 and payroll data back to calendar year 2010 through present for most state agencies.

Visit the CTHRU website

Questions?

Please direct all questions and requests to the College's Records Access Officer:

Rebecca Oliver
Records Access Officer
Phone: 978-762-4000 x4161
Email: roliver@northshore.edu