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What is a Public Record?
RCW 42.56 and Chapter 516-09 WAC
Public records of a state institution includes any writing, regardless of physical form or characteristic, which contains information relating to the conduct of university business and which is prepared, owned, used or retained by the university. This includes, but is not limited to, e-mail, electronic media, paper, microfilm, videotape, audiotape, magnetic tape, and disks. Only existing documents are releasable.
Requesting A Public Record
Need to make a public record request? Follow the steps outlined on the Requesting a Public Record page and WAC 516-09-030 to get started!
Student Records
Students have a right to inspect, review, and obtain copies of their own confidential educational records under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 516-26-030.
A student is any person who has ever been in attendance (officially enrolled as of the first day of classes) at the University and with respect to whom the University maintains education records or personally-identifiable Records.
Personnel Records
Per RCW 49.12.240, employees shall, upon request from employer, inspect any or all of his or her own personnel files(s).
Employees can gain access to view their personnel file, through Human Resources.
Health Records
If a student is seeking their own student medical records, please visit MyWesternHealth from the Student Health Center.
Police Department Public Records
Western Washington University Police Department in accordance with the Washington State Public Records Act RCW 42.56 allows for the inspection or copies of records unless specifically exempted by law.