The University receives a steady stream of requests for information under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). Such requests are often initiated by taxpayers, special interest groups and the media.
Under the California Public Records Act:
- Access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in the state.
- Public records must be open to inspection at all times during the office hours of a state or local agency.
- Every person has a right to inspect and obtain copies of any public record upon payment of fees covering direct costs of duplication, or a statutory fee, if applicable, except as provided in the Act.
To protect individuals against unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, California’s Information Practices Act of 1977 (IPA) provides strict guidelines regarding the maintenance and dissemination of personal information held by public agencies.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) pertains only to federal agency records. It does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Any requests for state or local government records should be directed to the Office of Information Practices (OIP).
