The Bruin waits months for public records about Anderson hiring processes
By Elizabeth Case
March 4, 2014 6:35 p.m.
The Daily Bruin has waited 112 days for public records pertaining to the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s hiring processes.
The records request was filed on Nov. 12 after The Bruin received documents alleging a violation of Anderson hiring practices that were submitted to the UCLA whistleblower hotline.
The request was partially filled in early January, but four out of six sets of records were denied on the basis that “the public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure of the record,” according to the California Public Records Act.
The request is being appealed by The Bruin. The records act requires the university to justify withholding a record for this reason, but so far, it has provided no such explanation.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have a firm timeline for when you will get a response to your email,” said Emilio Gancayco, a public records analyst at UCLA’s Records Management and Information Practices, in an email. “It’s being actively considered.”
The California Public Records Act requires public entities, including UCLA, to release nonexempt records to the public, including journalists and students.
When requests are first received, public entities must respond with a timeline for producing the records within 10 days, or ask for an extension. With appeals, the law does not require a timely response, other than a requirement to “make the records promptly available.”
Compiled by Elizabeth Case, Bruin senior staff.
