Open Public Records Requests

To obtain a public record, open the form and follow the instructions below for submission.
• Click here for the Public Records Request form    (Acrobat Reader required)
 

 

WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY
NOTICE TO REQUESTORS OF UNIVERSITY RECORDS

William Paterson University, in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act ("OPRA"), NJSA 47:1A-1 et seq., hereby provides notice that all University records, other than those identified by OPRA as exempt or as exceptions to disclosure and those protected from disclosure by federal or other State law, will be available for inspection or copying according to the following process:

1. Melissa Reardon Henry, Office of the General Counsel, is the University Records Custodian under OPRA and oversees compliance with OPRA. Any public request for records or other information or answers to any questions concerning the University's administration of OPRA must be directed to the Custodian during regular business hours at William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470. University hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except summer hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Please direct electronic requests to OPRA@wpunj.edu or by mail to Melissa Reardon Henry, Office of the General Counsel, William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, New Jersey, 07470.
   
2. Members of the public requesting University records must submit a completed Public Records Request Form to the University Records Custodian, which must include a brief but clear description of the record sought. Request forms are available in the Office of Human Resources and online. The requestor must sign and date the form.
   
3. Upon receipt of the request, the Records Custodian in accordance with applicable law will provide the records as soon as possible. Except as otherwise stated in the statute, OPRA provides that records are to be made accessible within seven (7) business days, unless they are in storage, archived, or otherwise cannot be made available within that time. If the records cannot be made available to the requestor in the time frames specified in the statute, the Records Custodian will advise the requestor in writing whether the records will be provided in whole or in part and, if they will not be provided, will state the reasons why the requested records or some part thereof will not be provided.
   
4. If the Records Custodian indicates the records will be provided to the requestor, the notice will indicate the date, time and location the records will be made available for inspection or the manner and timing according to which the records will be mailed to the requestor. OPRA also permits the Records Custodian and the requestor to discuss and agree upon the timing according to which the University will provide the records to the requestor.
   
5. Persons requesting copies of records in accordance with OPRA are responsible for all costs associated with reproducing records. All requests with fees estimated to exceed $25 require payment of a 50% deposit (payable by cash or certified check).
The schedule for duplicating printed records is:
 
   
  • Letter size pages - $0.05 per page
  • Legal size pages - $0.07 per page
  • Other media (CD, DVD, etc.) – actual cost of material
   
6. In cases where records cannot be reproduced by ordinary document copying equipment in ordinary business size or where extraordinary time and effort are necessary to accommodate a request, OPRA allows a special service charge. The University charge is $45 per hour of professional and administrative services and $15 per hour for clerical processing services.
   
7. The requestor has an opportunity under OPRA to review and object to any charges before they are incurred, but payment must be made before a copy of the record is provided to the requestor.
   
8. If your request is denied, unfilled within 7 business days, or the Records Custodian advises you that your request cannot be filled within that time, you may contact the Custodian to attempt a resolution of any dispute. You also have a statutory right to file an action in Superior Court or, in lieu thereof in the Government Records Council (GRC), New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (toll-free 866-850-0571 FREE) or 609-292-6830 or online at www.nj.gov/grc to challenge a decision by the University to deny you access to a requested record.
   
9. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the University reserves the right to change its OPRA policies and procedures without prior notice.
10. Please note that Student’s Transcripts are not Public Records. To obtain a copy of your official Transcripts, click on this link http://www.wpunj.edu/centerss/ and follow the instructions.