Public Records

Policy 1.10 · Adopted 2007 · Last revised 2024 · Responsible office: Office of the President · Next review 2029

It is the policy of the College that all records responsive to a public records request be promptly prepared and made available for inspection during regular business hours, and that copies be made available within a reasonable period.

No requester is required to identify themselves, to put a request in writing, or to state the purpose of a request. The College may ask for a written request, may ask the requester’s identity, and may ask the intended use, but must first tell the requester that these are not required and that refusing to provide them will not prevent the request from being fulfilled.

How to request. In person at the Office of the President, Room A-200; by telephone at ext. 2201; by mail to 1400 Corliss Pike, Bellweather, Ohio 44683; or by e-mail to records@bellweather.tech. There is no request form and the College will not require one.

Cost. Inspection is free. Copies are $0.05 per page for standard paper copies. Records delivered electronically are provided at no charge. The College does not charge staff time.

Response. Records are made available promptly. Requests seeking a large volume of records, or records from multiple offices, are fulfilled in installments with an estimate provided.

Denials are made in writing with the legal authority for the denial stated. A requester denied in whole or part may seek relief under ORC 149.43(C), including through the Court of Claims’ expedited public records process, for which the filing fee is $25.

Records the College will redact or withhold, with the authority for each: student education records (FERPA, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g); medical records; trial preparation and attorney-client privileged records; security records and infrastructure records; the residence addresses of certain employees; social security numbers; and information the release of which is prohibited by state or federal law. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt content, the exempt content is redacted and the remainder released.

Records Retention. The College maintains a records retention schedule approved by its Records Commission. The College may not deny a request on the ground that a record has been disposed of if the record was disposed of contrary to the schedule. The schedule is published at Records Retention Schedule.

Public Records Training. The Board of Trustees and designated staff complete public records training every three years as required by ORC 109.43. Certificates are on file.

Instructions for making a request are also published at Public Records.