The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act

(Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 207.0; Arkansas Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq.; Act 1093 of 1999)

Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, university records, with some exceptions, are considered public records and must be made available to citizens of the state of Arkansas for inspection during regular business hours. Records covered by the act include data compilations in any format, including papers, microfilm, microfiche, computer disks and tapes, email, and audio and video recordings. Freedom of Information requests must be responded to within three days of the date when a written request is received. The public may also request that disclosable documents be copied, but the university will charge a fee for copying.

Any university employee who receives a request for public records under the FOIA shall promptly furnish the request to the appropriate FOIA coordinator for the school, college or unit as set forth in Appendix A of Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 207.0. The FOIA coordinator(s) involved will notify the designated coordinator of FOIA requests for the campus in the Office of University Relations (campus coordinator) and the appropriate custodian of the records as set forth in Appendix A of Policy 207.0. The FOIA coordinator(s) will assist the custodian(s) in complying with requests and, if necessary, discuss requests with the university's general counsel. All requests by news media should be made to the campus coordinator.

Personnel records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA if their release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Evaluation or job performance records are disclosable only if they formed the basis for the suspension or termination of an employee, the administrative resolution of the case is complete, and there is a compelling public reason for their disclosure. Medical records and student education records are also exempt from disclosure. However, you or your designated representative may view your own personnel records. See also Section 3.4. Also exempt are state income tax records, some law enforcement records, records which would give an advantage to competitors or bidders, and library patron records.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Monday, September 28, 2009 2:16 PM