Public Information Requests

Del Mar College is considered a “governmental body” and is subject to the Texas Public Information Act. The Act provides the public the right to access the College’s open records.

Requests for copies or to view Del Mar College public records are handled through the Human Resources Office (hyperlink HRO to a Public Information Request page in HR area).

 

Texas Public Information Act

Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records. Organizational agents responsible for meeting your request may not ask why you want them. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of the information. Governmental bodies shall promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, or information for which an exception to disclosure has not been sought.

For more information about the Texas Public Information Act or rights of requestors, you may wish to refer to the Attorney General’s Public Information Handbook. (https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/og/open-government-related-publications)

 

How to Access DMC’s Public Information

All requests must be written and should be mailed, faxed, or emailed to:

Tammy F. McDonald
Vice President of Administration and Human Resources
Del Mar College
101 Baldwin Blvd.
Corpus Christi, Texas 78404-3897
361-698-1134 (fax)
tmcdonal1@delmar.edu

Including the following information in your written request will help ensure you receive the information you want:

• Name and mailing address
• Phone number and email address
• A list or description of the information you want - be specific

Specification of whether you want access to or copies of the information

For more details about how to make requests, refer to the Office of the Attorney General’s “How to Request Public Information.”

 

Charges for Open Records Requests

Charges for copies of public information are set by the Texas Building and Procurement Commission. In general, if the number of copies in your request is less than 50 pages, the charge will be $0.10 per page; if the number of copies is more than 50 pages, the charge will be $0.10 per page plus personnel costs necessary to compile the documents, in addition to the postage.

In some instances, requesting access to information may also result in a charge.

If the charge for fulfilling your requests exceeds $40.00, we will provide you with an itemized written estimate of the charges and indicate if a less costly alternative is available. You must respond in writing within 10 days after the estimate is sent that you will accept the costs, or that you desire any stated alternative, or your request will be considered withdrawn.

If the estimated charge is more than $100.00, the College may ask for a prepaid deposit before providing the information.

You may ask the College to determine whether providing the information primarily benefits the general public, resulting in a waiver or reduction of charges.

 

Non-public Information

Some information maintained by Del Mar College may not be considered public, such as the following: 

• student information/records;
• medical information/records
• drivers license and motor vehicle information
• attorney-client communications
• attorney work product
• documents made confidential by statute
• documents claimed to be proprietary by a third party (trade secret information)

If you request to review or get copies of non-public information listed above, it will be necessary for the College to request an Attorney General’s opinion about this information. The Attorney General's office can take about 12 weeks to decide on whether the information is public or not public.

 

When DMC Employees Receive Open Records Requests

If you receive an Open Records Request, immediately notify:

Tammy F. McDonald
Vice President of Administration and Human Resources
698-1133
tmcdonal1@delmar.edu