Public Records Requests

As a public office, the University of Cincinnati is subject to Ohio’s Public Records Act.  Under the Public Records Act, any person may request to see the public records of the University.  While the University strives to be transparent with the public it serves, there are some records that are not subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act for a variety of reasons such as certain privacy concerns.

For more information regarding public records requests, please refer to the FAQ section below and read the University's Public Records Policy.  We also encourage you to review the Ohio Sunshine Law Manual, which is updated annually by the office of the Ohio Attorney General.  The manual outlines the public’s rights and public servants’ obligations under the open-government laws. 

If you are a student seeking your education records, please visit the University of Cincinnati’s Office of the Registrar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Public records requests may be submitted via email to public.records@uc.edu or via mail  to: 

Public Records Manager
Office of General Counsel
University of Cincinnati
PO Box 210661
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0661

A public record means (1) any document, device, or item, regardless of physical form or characteristic, including electronic record, (2) created or received by or coming under the jurisdiction of the public office, (3) which serves to document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the public office.  

If a document does not meet all three parts of the definition of “public record” above, then it is a non-record and is not subject to the Public Records Act. 

The Public Records Act governs the release of records, not answers to questions or requests for information.

Public records may include records such as personnel files, reports, contracts, and certain correspondence that documents University operations and that meets the three-part definition of a “public record.”

The Public Records Act protects certain records by either requiring or allowing a public office to withhold them from public release.  You may find those exemptions at O.R.C. 149.43 or by referring to the Ohio Sunshine Law Manual. 

Often, if only part of a record is protected by an exception, then the public office will redact or obscure only that part of the record and provide the remaining, unprotected portion, to the requester. 

Some examples of information that is likely to be redacted from records include personally identifiable information, such as social security numbers, drivers’ license numbers, and account numbers, as well as medical information, student education records, and trade secrets.  

Generally, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act prohibits the disclosure of a student’s education records without the student’s written consent.   

Students may request their own education records through the Office of the Registrar.     

No. The medical facility is a separate entity and not part of the public institution.  You may reach out to the Office of General Counsel, UC Health, 3200 Burnet Avenue, 5th Floor, Room 5112, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 for any records associated with UC Health and/or the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.   

If you cannot find the answer to your questions here, please contact:

Headshot of Betty (Jean) Gabbard

Betty (Jean) Gabbard

Senior Legal Assistant

368 University Hall

513-558-3485 (Main) | 513-556-4526 (Direct)

Disclaimer

The information on this website is only current as of the date of publication.  For most up to date information, please visit the source documents, regulations, and websites cited within.  The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered legal advice. Contact an attorney directly for assistance with addressing current University legal issues.