Jon Marcus v. University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth (SPR 20160538)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Shawn A. Williams Supervisor ofR ecords July 29, 2016 SPR16/538 Mr. John Hoey University of Massachusetts -Dartmouth 285 Old Westport Road North Dartmouth, MA 02747 Dear Mr. Hoey: I have received the petition of Jon Marcus of WGBH appealing the nonresponse of the University of Massachusetts- Dartmouth (University) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § 10(b); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). Specifically, on May 12,2016, Mr. Marcus requested records regarding the "president's reimbursed expenses." Having received no response, Mr. Marcus petitioned this office. Under the Public Records Law and the Access Regulations (Regulations) all requests for public records must be met with a response within ten (10) days of the request. G. L. c. 66, § 10(b); 950 C.M.R. 32.05. The response may be an offer to provide records, a fee estimate for provision of the records, or a denial. All records custodians must comply with both the Public Records Law and the Regulations with respect to the timeliness of response. Subsequent to the intervention by a member of my staff, the University informed this office that it will start compiling the requested data. Accordingly, I will consider this appeal closed with the proviso that the University provide Mr. Marcus a response to the request in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law, and its Regulations. Mr. Marcus may appeal the substantive nature of the University's response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). Supervisor of Records cc: Mr. John Marcus Ms. Deirdre Heatwole, Esq. OneAshburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 · (617) 727-2832 ·Fax (617) 727-5914 www.sec.state.ma. us/pre