The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) grants you the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records created or maintained by public agencies in Kansas. The Open Records Act, K.S.A. 45-215 et seq., as amended, declares that it is the public policy of Kansas that "public records shall be open for inspection by any person." Public records are defined as "any recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, which is made, maintained or kept by or is in the possession of any public agency." Pittsburg State University is classified as a public agency for the purposes of this Act.
To review the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215), more about the process, and more about your rights, please read the Kansas Statute.
Download guide to requesting records from Pitt State
Public Records Maintained by Pittsburg State University
Your Rights
You have the right to request assistance from the agency's Freedom of Information Officer at any time. You have the right:
Your Responsibilities
Your request may seek only existing records, whether written, photographic or computerized. The Act does not require an agency to answer questions, prepare reports, or compile information. Visual presentations and audio or video recordings are required to be produced only if such items were used in a public meeting of the Kansas Board of Regents or other public body.
PSU requires that requests be submitted in writing with the requestor’s full contact information (see below). If requested, you must provide proof of identity. If you seek student listings, you may be asked to certify non-commercial intent pursuant to K.S.A. 45-220(c). Commercial intents are declined, as K.S.A. 45-230 prohibits state agencies from the gift or sale of any listing of names and addresses for the purpose of selling or offering for sale any property or service to persons listed therein.
Reasonable fees for actual costs in University time and resources must be paid prior to records production. Payment by check or money order should be mailed to the Custodian of Public Records. If the Custodian does not receive payment or further response within sixty (60) days after the date of the estimate, the University will consider the request abandoned.
Requesting a record
You can make requests for public records to Pittsburg State University pursuant to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA). Please click the “Make Request” button and complete the specified information to make your KORA request.
In addition to the online form, requests for records may be mailed or emailed to the PSU Custodian of Public Records. Please include a name, organization (if requesting on its behalf, mailing address, email address, and daytome phone number). Mail to:
Custodian of Public Records
Russ Hall 218B
Pittsburg State University
1701 S. Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762
If you make an in-person request, agency records shall remain in the possession and control of an agency staff member during inspection and/or duplication.
Regular office hours on all business days, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and official holidays, are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Records may be inspected during those hours. The University is closed on official holidays and during any campus-wide closure due to weather or other emergencies.
Delays and/or denied requests
All efforts will be made to process your request for public records as soon as it is received; however, some requests may be delayed or denied if:
Requests may be denied in whole or in part if:
If the request is delayed or denied, the University will provide a written explanation for the delay or denial.
Permission to inspect or copy public records may be denied if the request "places an unreasonable burden in producing public records or the custodian has reason to believe that repeated requests are intended to disrupt other essential functions of the public agency." See K.S.A. 45-218(e).
Denial of a person's inspection or copying request must be explained in writing if the person requests such an explanation.
Copies of radio or recording tapes or disks, video tapes or films, pictures, slides, graphics, illustrations or similar audio or visual items or devices shall not be required to be furnished unless such items or devices were shown or played in a public meeting of the Kansas Board of Regents or other public body.
Fees
Fees shall be charged for the actual costs in University employee time and resources. Fees shall be charged for the retrieval, review, and production of public records. In accordance with the provision and the Kansas Open Records Act, the following fee rates are established by the agency’s head and may be applied, with payment of total estimated fees required by check or money order in advance of records production:
Exceptions
The Act recognizes that certain records contain private or privileged information. The Act lists several exceptions, including, but not limited to:
Records more than 70 years old may be disclosed without regard to the above-listed exemptions, unless exempt under other federal or state law.
Records only partially exempt will have the exempt portions excluded prior to production. Records that would unduly disclose individual identities may be produced if exclusion of identifying portions would prevent identification.
Nothing in the Act supersedes federal law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA/Buckley Amendment) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Additional Information
If you have questions about KORA, PSU’s policies, or seek to resolve a request-related dispute, contact PSU’s Freedom of Information Officer:
General Counsel
Russ Hall 215
Pittsburg State University
1701 S. Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762
Email: generalcounsel@pittstate.edu
Page revision date: 07/22/2025