Miles Stern v. University of Massachusetts - Amherst (SPR 20231320)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records July 12, 2023 SPR23/1320 Christa 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 Miles B. Stern, of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, appealing the response of the University of Massachusetts (UMass) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On May 3, 2023, Mr. Stern made three public records requests as follows: [1.] A copy of all records related to invoices and payments for legal services rendered to UMass by Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo [“Mintz”] from January 1, 2022, to the present. [2.] A copy of all records related to invoices and payments for legal services rendered to UMass Amherst by Mintz from January 1, 2022, to the present. A copy of all records related to invoices and payments for legal services rendered to UMass Amherst Foundation by Mintz from January 1, 2022, to the present. [3.] A copy of all records related to invoices and payments for legal services rendered to UMass Foundation by Mintz from January 1, 2022, to the present. Prior Appeal The requested records were the subject of a prior appeal. See SPR23/1038 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (May 31, 2023). UMass responded on June 14, 2023. Unsatisfied with the response, Mr. Stern petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1320, was opened as result. It is my understanding that UMass intends on providing a further response to Mr. Stern to address the records request. 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

Christine Wilda SPR23/1320 Page 2 July 12, 2023 Accordingly, UMass is ordered to provide Mr. Stern with said response in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Stern may appeal the substantive nature of UMass’ response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Miles B. Stern