The records office at the University of Nebraska at Kearney coordinates the retention and disposal of records in accordance with the Universities Records Retention Schedules. Response for records requested as part of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is also coordinated through the records office.
For more information contact:
Alex Straatmann, Chief Compliance Officer
Office of Compliance
Warner Hall 2136
2504 9th Ave, Kearney, NE 68849
straatmanna2@unk.edu
Departments can retain file copies of documentation on site for a convenient length of time when deemed appropriate for the department’s timely reference. Original documentation that must be maintained in the department is subject to periodic review by the Division of Business and Finance to ensure that the documentation is being preserved in compliance with the University’s Records Retention Schedules. The retention of this documentation must follow the Records Retention Schedule.
State statutes (Neb. Rev. Stat. 84-712, et seq.) provide the right to examine public records “of and belonging to” the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK).
UNK Public Records Request Policy
What’s a public record?
Public records include all records and documents, regardless of physical form, of or belonging to a state agency, a county, city or other governmental bodies listed in the statute. Records include, but are not limited to, printouts, electronic data, discs, tapes, and photocopies.
Public records request responsibility
To ensure compliance, processing, and consistency of response, all requests for public records from UNK shall be made to UNK's Records Officer. Any UNK employee receiving a request should immediately communicate the request to the Records Officer. All requests will be reviewed by the Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Executive Affairs and, as required, by NU Office of General Counsel.
Submitting a public records request
No specific language is required for a public records request. However, any request should be submitted in writing with a clear description of records sought. Should a requestor, because of disability, be unable to provide a request in writing, UNK will provide accommodations as required by federal law by accepting a different reasonable means of communicating the request.
To submit a request electronically (preferred), email Alex Straatmann at straatmanna2@unk.edu.
To submit a request by mail, address to:
Alex Straatmann, Chief Compliance Officer
Office of Compliance
Warner Hall 2136
2504 9th Ave, Kearney, NE 68849
For information or questions contact Alex Straatmann at 308-865-8400 or straatmanna2@unk.edu
When to expect your response: salutatory requirements
Transmittal
Upon approval, the response will be sent to the requestor. The preferred method of transmittal will be by email, with the response and documents (if included) converted to a PDF format.
When the requestor does not provide an email address the response will be sent by mail.
Charges
If the cost of fulfilling a request exceeds $50, UNK is permitted to require a deposit before beginning necessary processes associated with responding to the request. UNK will charge for actual costs incurred, whether higher or lower than estimated costs approved by the requestor.
The following charges may be invoiced when sending the documents to the requestor:
Record Keeping
Responses to public records requests shall be retained in accordance with the University's Records Retention and Disposition Schedules. Denials of requests for records and documents shall be retained permanently.
