Who is the Records Access Officer?
Richard Winters, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Community & Government Relations
How can I access public records kept by SUNY New Paltz?
By contacting Richard Winters’s office either in writing or via e-mail:
Mailing Address:
Haggerty Administration Building, Room 902
Office of the President
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561
E-mail: wintersr@newpaltz.edu
Phone: (845) 257-3291
How long will it take to receive the records I seek?
Within five business days of receipt of your e-mail or letter, the University will respond to your request for records with a written acknowledgement of the receipt of such request and a statement of the approximate timeframe, which shall be reasonable under the circumstances of the request and other workload demands, when such request will be granted or denied. The law allows the University at least 20 business days to respond.
How much does the University charge for copies?
Copies can be made for a charge of .25 cents per page. If possible, we may provide the information electronically via e-mail.
What if I prefer to view the records in person?
Records can be viewed in person by making an appointment during regular office hours.
Office Hours:
Fall & Spring: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Summer & Winter: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
If the Records Access Officer denies my request, how can I appeal the decision?
If you wish to appeal a decision, you may do so by submitting a written appeal within 30 days to:
FOIL Appeals Office
c/o Office of General Counsel
The State University of New York
H. Carl McCall SUNY Building – 353 Broadway
Albany, NY 12246
(518) 445-4040
Where can I find more information?
For more information about the Freedom of Information Act of New York State, please visit the New York State Committee on Open Government.
Sample FOIL Letters:
To Request Records
Richard Winters, Records Access Officer
Haggerty Administration Building, Room 902
Office of the President
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561
Re: Freedom of Information Law Request
Dear Records Access Officer:
Under the provisions of the New York Freedom of Information Law, Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, I hereby request records or portions thereof pertaining to (or containing the following) __________________ (attempt to identify the records in which you are interested as clearly as possible). If my request appears to be extensive or fails to reasonably describe the records, please contact me in writing or by phone at ________________.
If there are any fees for copying the records requested, please inform me before filling the request (or: . . . please supply the records without informing me if the fees are not in excess of $____).
As you know, the Freedom of Information Law requires that an agency respond to a request within five business days of receipt of a request. Therefore, I would appreciate a response as soon as possible and look forward to hearing from you shortly.
If for any reason any portion of my request is denied, please inform me of the reasons for the denial in writing and provide the name and address of the person or body to whom an appeal should be directed.
Sincerely,
Signature
Name
Address
City, State, ZIP code
To Appeal a Denial
If you wish to appeal a decision, you may do so by submitting a written appeal within 30 days to:
FOIL Appeals Office
c/o Office of General Counsel
The State University of New York
H. Carl McCall SUNY Building – 353 Broadway
Albany, NY 12246
(518) 445-4040
Re: Freedom of Information Law Appeal
Dear __________:
I hereby appeal the denial of access regarding my request, which was made on __________ (date) and sent to __________ (records access officer, name and address of agency).
The records that were denied include:_______________ (describe the records that were denied to the extent possible).
As required by the Freedom of Information Law, the head or governing body of an agency, or whomever is designated to determine appeals, is required to respond within 10 business days of the receipt of an appeal. If the records are denied on appeal, please explain the reasons for the denial fully in writing as required by law.
In addition, please be advised that the Freedom of Information Law directs that all appeals and the determinations that follow be sent to the Committee on Open Government, Department of State, 41 State Street, Albany, New York 12231.
Sincerely,
Signature
Name
Address
City, State, ZIP code
