Public Records FAQ

University of Nebraska Public Records Requests FAQ

1. How do I make a public records request to the University of Nebraska?
   1. Public records requests to the University of Nebraska System or any of the four campuses (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Nebraska Kearney, University of Nebraska Medical Center) may be submitted to [email protected] or through our online public records request portal, available here: https://universityofnebraska.nextrequest.com/.
   2. To request records from multiple campuses, you do not need to submit a request to each campus individually.
   3. Please note that Nebraska law does not require that you send a public records request only to the above locations. However, doing so will ensure a timely response to your request.
2. May I make an anonymous request?
   1. Yes, you may make a request anonymously. However, we will need some way to contact you, such as a valid email address not containing your name, to confirm receipt of and respond to your request.
   2. Please also note that all public records requests and responses are considered public records.
3. Does the University post any public records online so that I don’t need to make a request?
   1. The University of Nebraska posts a significant number of records online on its Transparency website, including budget and salary information and key personnel contracts, including contracts for athletics head coaches.
   2. Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-602.04, the State of Nebraska has a public, searchable database containing active and expired state contracts and purchase orders that are the basis for an expenditure of state funds. The searchable database is found here.
4. How do I ensure a timely response to my public records request?
   1. Timeline for Response: The University of Nebraska is committed to complying with the Nebraska Public Records Act’s requirement to provide a response, denial, or, if the entire request cannot with good faith efforts be fulfilled, an explanation and estimated timeline for completion, within four business days of the request. See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712(4). However, the University receives a high volume of requests, some of which are very large and complex. Depending on the complexity and scope of the request, a complete response may take some time.
      1. The more specific and targeted your request, the easier it is for us to respond and to respond quickly. Providing details in your request such as the appropriate campus, particular custodians, departments or locations of records, or time frames for the records requested (i.e., records dated in a certain time period) helps us more efficiently process your request.
   2. Email Requests: When requesting emails of University personnel, the more details you can provide, the easier it is for us to process your request. The names of the University employees whose emails you are seeking, a date range for the emails, and specific topics/keywords assist us in appropriately targeting the search and providing responsive materials. Please note that the University reviews every record provided in response to a public records request to ensure that no University records are provided contrary to state or federal law. As such, each email you request will be individually reviewed. Accordingly, requests for emails, especially those including language like “any and all,” can be very time-consuming requests to process.
   3. Use of Generative AI for Requests: The University is receiving an increasing number of public records requests written using the assistance of generative AI tools. Please note that, if using such tools to draft a request, the language generated is often overly broad, unclear, and difficult for us to interpret. As a result, such requests require follow up communications to seek clarification on the records being sought, and this back-and-forth can result in slower processing.
5. Can the University charge a cost for a public records request?
   1. Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712(3)(g), the University may require a requester of copies of public records to furnish a deposit prior to fulfilling a records request, if it is anticipated that the costs of providing copies of public records will exceed $50.00. For Nebraska residents (which includes all news media), this charge cannot be applied unless the request requires more than eight cumulative hours to complete response efforts. For Nebraska residents, this charge also cannot include time for an attorney or other personnel to conduct legal review of the records to determine if there is a basis to withhold the record. See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712(3)(c).
6. Does the Nebraska Public Records Act require the University to make a new record or explain a record to me?
   1. No. The Nebraska Public Records Act specifically states that it does not “require a public body or custodian of a public record to produce or generate any public record in a new or different form or format modified from that of the original record.” Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712(3)(f). The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office has consistently reasoned when reviewing public records petitions that Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712 does not require public agencies to create abstracts, lists, or records that otherwise do not exist or to answer questions.
7. Who do I contact if I have questions about a public records request?
   1. If you have questions about a new or existing public records request, please contact [email protected] or Molly McCleery, Associate General Counsel and Director of Records at [email protected] or (402) 472-1201.