Public Records Request
Odessa 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 Odessa College's open records.
Texas Public Information Act
Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent 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.
Public Information Policy and Procedures
Any member of the public may make a written request to Odessa College for access to or copies of public information. Public information must be disclosed “promptly”. How promptly is a matter of how easily accessible the information is, whether the records contain confidential information that must be redacted prior to disclosure, and whether an Attorney General ruling must be sought with regard to information that is subject to an exception? Most records are provided within 10 business days, but some may take several longer to fulfill. See non-business days.
Texas Government Code Section 552.0031 defines “business day” under the Texas Public Information Act to mean a day other than:
- a Saturday or Sunday;
- a national holiday under Texas Government Code Section 662.003(a); or
- the first day of January, “New Year’s Day”;
- the third Monday in January, “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day” in observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
- the last Monday in May, “Memorial Day”;
- the fourth day of July, “Independence Day”;
- the first Monday in September; “Labor Day”;
- the fourth Thursday in November, “Thanksgiving Day”; and
- the 25th day of December, “Christmas Day
- state holiday under Texas Government Code Section 662.003(b).
- the Friday after Thanksgiving Day;
- the 24th day of December; and
- the 26th day of December.
In addition to the above-listed non-business days, a governmental entity may designate up to ten (10) days in each calendar year as non-business days.
The Odessa College President has designated the following dates in calendar year 2027 as non-business days:
- March 8-14
- June 17
- November 25
- December 21-23, and 28-30
Requests for public information shall be made to Odessa College by one of the following methods:
- Hand deliver to Public Information Request, Odessa College Administration Building, Room 210, Odessa College 201 W. University Blvd., Odessa, TX;
- U.S. mail to 201 W. University Blvd., Odessa, TX 79764, Attention: Public Information Request;
- Email openrecords@odessa.edu
In the event a catastrophe, as defined by law, impacts the College District, the Board shall suspend the applicability of the Texas Public Information Act to the College District for the time permitted by law and provide the required notices to the attorney general and the public. The Board shall extend an initial suspension period as necessary in accordance with law.
Odessa College will adhere to the following responsibilities as outlined in Texas Government Code, Chapter 552:
- Be informed about open records laws and educate employees on the requirements of those laws;
- Segregate public information from information that may be withheld and provide that public information promptly;
- Inform the requestor if the information cannot be provided promptly and set a date and time to provide it within a reasonable time;
- Follow guidelines outlined in in Section 552.261 of the Government Code for assessing charges associated with requests;
- Treat all requestors uniformly and give to the requestor all reasonable comfort and facility, including accommodation in accordance with ADA requirements;
- Make a good faith attempt to inform third parties when their proprietary information is being requested from the governmental body;
- Request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding any information the governmental body wishes to withhold and send a copy of the request for ruling, or a redacted copy, to the requestor.