1. The Open Public Records Act
(OPRA) requires that in order to request access to government
records, you must complete all the required portions of,
sign and date this form, and deliver it in person during
regular business hours, or by mail, or electronically to
the appropriate custodian of the requested record(s). Your
request is not considered filed until the appropriate custodian,
of the requested record(s), has received a completed request
form. If you submit the request form to any other officer
or employee of the Commission on Higher Education, that officer
or employee does not have the authority to accept your request
form on behalf of the Commission on Higher Education and
you will be directed to the appropriate custodian.
2. lf you submit a request for access to government records
to someone other than the appropriate records custodian,
do not complete the required portions of the Commission on
Higher Education's request form, or attempt to make a request
for access by telephone, OPRA and its deadlines, restrictions
and remedies will not apply to your request.
3. The fees for duplication of government record(s) in
printed form are listed on the front of this form. We will
notify you of any special charges, special service charges
or other additional charges authorized by State law or regulation
before processing your request. Payment shall be made in
cash, check or money order, payable to the State of New Jersey.
4. If it is necessary for the records custodian to contact
you concerning your request, providing identifying information,
such as your name, address, and telephone number or an e-mail
address is required. Where contact is not necessary, anonymous
requests are permitted. However, it is suggested that you
provide such information in case the records custodian needs
to clarify what information is being requested. Additionally,
anonymous requests for personal information will not be honored.
5. A 50% deposit must accompany requests with estimated
fees exceeding $25. Anonymous requests, when
permitted, require a deposit of 100% of estimated fees.
You agree to pay the balance due upon delivery of the
record(s).
6. Under OPRA, a custodian must deny access to a person
who is convicted of an indictable offense in New Jersey,
any other state, or the United States, who is seeking government
record(s) containing personal information pertaining to the
person's victim or the victim's family.
7. By law, the Commission on Higher Education must notify
you that it grants or denies a request for access to government
records within seven (7) business days after the custodian,
of the requested record, receives the request, provided that
the record(s) is/are currently available and not in storage
or archived. If the requested record(s) is/are not currently
available or is in storage or archived, the custodian will
advise you within seven (7) business days when the record(s)
can be made available and the estimated cost. You may agree
with the custodian to extend the time for granting or denying
your request, or for making the record(s) available.
8. You may be denied access to government record(s) if
your request would substantially disrupt agency operations
and the records custodian is unable to reach a reasonable
solution with you.
9. If the Commission on Higher Education is unable to comply
with your request for access to a government record(s), the
records custodian will indicate the reasons for denial on
the request form and send you a signed and dated copy.
10. Except as otherwise provided by law or by agreement
with the requester, if the custodian of the requested record
fails to respond to you within seven (7) business days of
receiving a written, signed request form, the failure to
respond will be considered a denial of your request.
11. If your request for access to government record(s)
has been denied or unfilled within the time permitted by
law, you have a right to challenge the decision by the Commission
on Higher Education to deny access. At your option, you may
either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New
Jersey or file a complaint in writing with the Government
Records Council (GRC). You may contact the GRC by telephone
at 866.850.0511, by mail at P.O. Box 819, Trenton, NJ 08625-0819,
by e-mail at grc@dca.state.nj.us, or at
the GRC's web site is http://www.nj.gov/grc.
12. Information provided on this form may be subject to
disclosure under the Open Public Records Act.
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