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Public Records Policy

Public Records Policy

Purpose

In light of an Ohio Supreme Court decision addressing the records of police departments at private universities issued dated May 21, 2015, the University of Dayton Police Department is subject to State of Ohio Public Records law as outlined in O.R.C.  § 149.43.  This policy charges the University Police Department with compliance with Ohio Public Records law.

Scope

This policy applies to faculty, staff, students, and individuals requesting records.

Policy History

Effective Date:  December 17, 2015

Approval:  February 15, 2024

Policy History: 

  • Approved in its original form:  December 17, 2015
  • Approved as amended:  February 15, 2024

Maintenance of Policy:  Director, Clery Compliance & Records Coordinator, Department of Public Safety

Definitions

1.  "Public Record" - any document, device, or item, regardless of physical form or characteristic, including electronic record, created or received by or coming under the jurisdiction of the University Police Department that serves to document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the department (O.R.C. § 149.011(G)).

Policy

I.  PUBLIC RECORDS MANAGEMENT

The University of Dayton Police Department manages public records in accordance with the provisions of O.R.C. § 149.43 and other applicable laws and regulations.  This management of records includes but is not limited to the following:

a.  Appointment of a records manager.

b.  Processing of public records requests.

c.  Maintenance of all required public records documents and recordkeeping.

d.  Coordination of responses to potentially significant requests with the Office of Legal Affairs and Office of Media Relations prior to release.

II.  PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS

a.  Requests to inspect or copy public records should be made to the Department of Public Safety.  If a request is made to any other University office, that office will immediately forward the request to the Department of Public Safety records coordinator or direct the requester to the Department of Public Safety’s online public records request form.

b.  Public records may be inspected by appointment during regular business hours.  Such appointment will be made promptly (e.g., within 24 to 48 hours) following a request for inspection.

c.  Public records will be provided within a reasonable amount of time following a request.  The amount of time will depend on factors including but not limited to the number of records requested, the medium in which the records are stored, the need to redact non-public information and other factors unique to the records requested.  

d.  The records manager may deny a request for an ambiguous or overly broad request, e.g., where the records being requested cannot reasonably be identified, the request is unduly burdensome, etc.

e.  The Office of Legal Affairs and Office of Media Relations will provide assistance in the handling of public records requests, needed.

III. PUBLIC RECORDS RETENTION AND DISPOSAL

a.  The Public Safety records manager will prepare and maintain a records retention schedule for public records, which shall be approved by the University Board of TrusteesTrustees.

b.  The records manager shall oversee the maintenance, disposal of and archival of public records in accordance with the records retention schedule.

Reference Documents

  1. State ex rel. Schiffbauer v. Banaszak et al., 142 Ohio St.3d 535, 2015-Ohio-1854
  2. Ohio Revised Code § 149.43
  3. University of Dayton Department of Public Safety General Order 1.01-3
CONTACT

For questions relating to the University policies of Student Development, please contact:


Bill Fischer, Vice President for Student Development
937-229-3682
Email