Gordon Ainsworth v. UMASS Amherst (SPR 20221139)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records May 31, 2022 SPR22/1139 Christine M. Wilda Associate Chancellor for Compliance UMass Amherst 340 Whitmore Building 181 President's Drive Amherst, MA 01003 Dear Ms. Wilda: I have received the petition of Gordon Ainsworth of the Greenfield Recorder appealing the response of UMass Amherst (UMass) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On April 4, 2022, Mr. Ainsworth requested, “… a copy of Employment contract for [identified person]… including bonus and buyout clauses.” UMass responded on April 5, 2022. Unsatisfied with the response, Mr. Ainsworth petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/1139, was opened as result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division senior attorney and a UMass representative, it is my understanding that UMass intends on providing a further response to Mr. Ainsworth. Accordingly, UMass is ordered to provide Mr. Ainsworth with a response to his request in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Access Regulations within ten (10) business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Ainsworth may appeal the substantive nature of UMasss’ response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Gordon Ainsworth One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us