Colman Herman v. University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth (SPR 20232631)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 14, 2023 SPR23/2631 Ryan C. Merrill Director of Strategic Communications & Media Relations University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 28 Old Westport Road, Room 319 Dartmouth, MA 02747 Dear Mr. Merrill: I have received the petition of Colman Herman appealing the response of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (University) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On August 20, 2023, Mr. Herman requested “copies of any and all communications related to UMass Dartmouth recently vacating a downtown New Bedford building that once was a department store.” Following further correspondence, on September 12, 2023, Mr. Herman requested that the University complete his request using a series of specified search terms. Previous Appeal This request was the subject of a previous appeal. See SPR23/2631 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (October 16, 2023). In my October 16th determination, I ordered the University to provide Mr. Herman with a response to his request. Following further correspondence concerning the scope of the request, the University responded on October 31, 2023. Unsatisfied with the University’s response, Mr. Herman further appealed, and this case was opened as a result. Conclusion Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, the University provided a further response by email to Mr. Herman and this office on November 10, 2023. As this appeal was opened based on the University’s October 31st response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. If unresolved issues remain, Mr. Herman may further appeal the substantive nature of the University’s November 10th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). 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

Ryan C. Merrill SPR23/2631 Page 2 November 14, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Colman Herman