FAQs

The Texas Public Information Act provides the public a right of access to information collected, assembled, maintained, owned or controlled by a governmental body unless otherwise expressly provided by law. The act is found in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. Public information is defined as information “collected, assembled, or maintained in connection with the transaction of official business.”

 

Laredo College is a governmental body subject to the act. Therefore, any member of the public may make a written request for access to or copies of public information. Public information must be disclosed “promptly.” How promptly is a matter of how easily accessible the information is, whether the records contain confidential information that must be redacted prior to disclosure, and whether an Attorney General ruling must be sought with regard to information that is subject to an exception. Most records are provided within 10 days, but some requests are so complex and voluminous that it may be several weeks before access is granted or denied.

 

When a request for information is received, it should be forwarded to the Office of the Vice President for Compliance and Risk Management for immediate action. With limited exceptions, in order to withhold information, Laredo College must request an opinion from the Attorney General within ten business days from receipt of a request.  

How do I submit an open records request?

A Public Information Request is submitted to request public access to certain information as described under Section 552.002 of the Texas Government Code. 

Open Records requests must be submitted in writing. Requests can be submitted via electronic mail to [email protected]. An Open Records Request Form‌ is available online to assist requestors with making public information requests.

To Whom & Where do I submit my open records request?

Open records requests may be sent by any one of the following methods:

  • Hand delivery;
  • U.S. mail to Office of the Vice President for Compliance and Risk Management, Elpha Lee West Building Room 129 1 West End Washington Street, Laredo, TX 78040; or 
  • Submitting an online form here.

Requests must be sent in writing by the above means in order to be considered a valid request for information under the Texas Public Information Act.

What is the cost to obtain copies of records?

The charges in this section to recover costs associated with providing copies of public information are based on estimated average costs to governmental bodies in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Rule §70.3 .The cost to obtain records depends on a variety of factors including but not limited to the following:

  • The format (i.e. paper, CD, DVD, etc.) the requestor wishes to receive the requested document
  • Whether the record is in archive
  • Whether computer programming is required to retrieve the requested data

For more information regarding the cost to obtain records, please see the Laredo College Public Information Request Charge Fee Schedule, click here.

Non-Business Days

House Bill 3033 (HB 3033), effective September 1, 2023, adds new Texas Government Code section 552.0031, which defines business day for purposes of the Texas Public Information Act (PIA). This article answers frequently asked questions about HB 3033 and calculating timelines when handling requests for public information.

 

  • Labor Day September 2, 2024
  • Veterans Day November 11, 2024
  • Designated Non-Business Days November 26-27, 2024
  • Thanksgiving Day November 28, 2024
  • The Friday after Thanksgiving November 29, 2024
  • Designated Non-Business Days December 19-20, 2024
  • Designated Non-Business Day December 23, 2024
  • The 24th Day of December December 24, 2024
  • Christmas Day December 25, 2024
  • The 26th Day of December December 26, 2024
  • Designated Non-Business Day December 27, 2024
  • Designated Non-Business Days December 30-31, 2024
  • New Year’s Day January 1, 2025
  • Designated Non-Business Days January 2-3, 2025
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 20, 2025
  • Presidents Day February 17, 2025
  • Good Friday April 18, 2025
  • San Jacinto Day April 21, 2025
  • Memorial Day May 26, 2025
  • Emancipation Day June 19, 2025
  • Independence Day July 4, 2025
  • Lyndon Baines Johnson Day August 27, 2025

 

Student Directory Information

Laredo College designates the following items as Student Directory Information:

  • Student’s name
  • Address
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • Field of study
  • Enrollment status (full-time, part-time, undergraduate, graduate, etc)
  • Degrees, certificates, and other awards received
  • Type of award received (academic, technical, or continuing education)
  • Dates of attendance
  • Student classification
  • Name of institution previously attended

Laredo College may disclose any of these items as listed in the Student Directory Information without student consent. However, if a student does not wish for his/her student directory information to be released, the student must inform Laredo College, in writing, to withhold such information. Such non-consent may be declared in the Office of the Registrar and Admissions by completing the "Request to Withhold Student Directory Information" form. The institution will honor the request to withhold student directory information from the semester that this request is made until indicated otherwise. This does not inhibit Laredo College from other legal releases of student data, which may include personal data.

Rights of Requestors

All people who request public information have the right to:

  • Receive treatment equal to all other requestors
  • Receive a statement of estimated charges in advance
  • Choose whether to inspect the requested information, receive a copy of the information, or both
  • Be notified when the governmental body asks the OAG for a ruling on whether the information may or must be withheld
  • Be copied on the governmental body’s written comments to the OAG stating the reason why the stated exceptions apply
  • Lodge a complaint with the OAG regarding any improper charges for responding to a public information request
  • Lodge a complaint with the OAG or the county attorney or criminal district attorney, as appropriate, regarding any alleged violation of the Act

For more information see: The Texas Public Information Handbook

Rights of Governmental Bodies

All governmental bodies responding to information requests have the right to:

  • Establish reasonable procedures for inspecting or copying information
  • Request and receive clarification of vague or overly broad requests
  • Request an OAG ruling regarding whether any information may or must be withheld
  • Receive timely payment for all copy charges or other charges
  • Obtain payment of overdue balances exceeding $100 or obtain a security deposit before processing additional requests from the same requestor
  • Request a bond, prepayment or deposit if estimated costs exceed $100 (or, if the governmental body has fewer than 16 employees, $50)

For more information see: The Texas Public Information Handbook

What do I do if I receive an open records request?

If your department has received an open records request, please follow these step

  • Date stamp the request upon receipt.
  • Upon receipt, forward the request to the VP of Compliance and Risk Management by email at [email protected]. Please do not send open records request through interoffice mail. Also note whether your department has documents that are responsive to the request.  
  • Provide copies (not originals) of the responsive documents to [email protected] by the established deadline. Please note that requests to review or receive copies of documents must be processed by the Office of the VP of Compliance and Risk Management.
  • If the requested documents are inactive use or are in storage, please provide a date and time when the documents will be available for review.