Public Information FAQs
HOW DO I SUBMIT A PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST?
Public information requests must be written. An optional form is available online to assist requestors with making public information requests. Requestors may also contact the Public Information Coordinator at (713) 718-7584 for assistance with writing public information requests.
TO WHOM & WHERE DO I SUBMIT MY PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST?
Public information requests shall be addressed to the Public Information Officer. Public information requests may be sent by any one of the following methods:
- MAIL- HCC c/o Public Information Officer P.O. Box 667517, MC 1144 Houston, TX 77266
- IN PERSON- HCC Administration Building, 3100 Main, 12th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002
- FACSIMILE- c/o Public Information Officer (713) 718-7585
- ELECTRONIC MAIL- recordsrequest@hccs.edu
Requests that are sent by facsimile and/or electronic mail must be sent by the above means in order to be considered a valid request for information under the Texas Public Information Act.
WHAT IS THE COST TO OBTAIN COPIES OF RECORDS?
The cost to obtain records depends on a variety of factors including but not limited to the following:
- The format (i.e. paper, CD, DVD, etc.) the requestor wishes to receive the requested document
- Whether the record is in archive
- Whether computer programming is required to retrieve the requested data
For more information regarding the cost to obtain records, please see the Houston Community College Public Information Request Charge Fee Schedule posted online or contact the Public Information Coordinator at (713 )718-8228.
WHAT DO I DO IF I RECEIVE A PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST?
If your department has received a public information request, please follow these steps:
- Date stamp the request upon receipt.
- Review the request to see if your department has any responsive documents.
- Upon receipt, forward the request to the HCC Public Information Coordinator by electronic mail at recordsrequest@hccs.edu or by facsimile at (713) 718-7585. Please do not send public information request through interoffice mail. Also note whether your department has documents that are responsive to the request.
- Provide copies (not originals) of the responsive documents to the Public Information Coordinator by the established deadline. Please note that requests to review or receive copies of documents must be approved by the HCC General Counsel or designee.
- If the requested documents are in active use or are in storage, please provide a date and time when the documents will be available for review.
- Provide a signed Time Expense Form to the Public Information Coordinator. The Time Expense Form provides information on the time spent to gather, locate, and/or copy documents in response to a public information request. Also include the budget account number to be reimbursed.
