Jonathan Gerhardson v. University of Massachusetts - Amherst (SPR 20251073)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records April 28, 2025 SPR25/1073 Christine M. Wilda Associate Chancellor for Compliance University of Massachusetts, Amherst 340F Whitmore Building 181 President’s Drive Amherst, MA 01003 Dear Ms. Wilda: I have received the petition of Jonathan Gerhardson appealing the response of the University of Massachusetts Amherst (University) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On March 26, 2025, Mr. Gerhardson requested the following records with a date range of January 29, 2025 to March 26, 2025: [1] Any inquiries or requests for data made from or on behalf of the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. [2] The university’s response to any such inquiries. [3] Metadata for any responsive records described above. In an email to the University on April 3, 2025, Mr. Gerhardson modified his request stating “amend the date on [the request] to be March 10 to present[.]” On April 8, 2025, Mr. Gerhardson reiterated his request to the University. The University provided a response on April 17, 2025. Unsatisfied with the University’s response, Mr. Gerhardson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/1073, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the University intends on providing a further response to Mr. Gerhardson. Accordingly, the University is ordered to provide Mr. Gerhardson with said response, in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Gerhardson may appeal the substantive nature of the University’s response within ninety 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

Christine M. Wilda SPR25/1073 Page 2 April 28, 2025 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Jonathan Gerhardson