Skagit Valley College: Access • Achievement • Community
Public Records
As a state agency, Skagit Valley College is subject to the provisions of the Washington state public disclosure laws (RCW 42.56) governing access to public records and will respond accordingly. There may be exemptions to disclosure that may prohibit the college from releasing certain documents. The College will provide a brief explanation for any exemption to disclosure.
You may request public records via email at recordsofficer@skagit.edu. If you do not have access to email you may call our office and we will take your request verbally. To do this please call 360.416.7995 and leave us a message with your name and telephone number. A staff member will return your call and assist.
Any public records requests mailed to the office will be considered received by Skagit Valley College as of the date the physical office re-opens. Public records requests received by email or phone will continue to be received and processed in the normal course.
How Do I Make a Request?
- Submit a request via email; or
- Send a written request to us which should include:
- Your name, full mailing address, email address and telephone number;
- A detailed description of the requested record(s); and
- Indicate whether you will:
- Review records at the College; or
- Have paper copies mailed; or
- Receive documents mailed via DVD; or
- Have documents provided electronically, when appropriate.
- Send your request by:
- Email: recordsofficer@skagit.edu
- Mail to:
- Pam Davis, Public Records Officer
Skagit Valley College
2405 E. College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
- Pam Davis, Public Records Officer
Frequently Asked Questions
Within five business days after receiving a request, we will either provide the record(s) you have requested or, if the request is denied, we will explain the reason for denial. Additional time may be required to fulfill more complex requests. If this is the case, we will contact you within five business days with an estimate of time required to fulfill the request. We may also contact you if additional information or clarification is required in order to process your request.
Records not exempt may contain personal or other information which may require us to notify affected individual(s) of the request. We may provide affected individual(s) a reasonable opportunity to seek court protection from disclosure.
Current costs for records are:
- Photocopies: $.15 per page
- Scanning: $.10 per page
- Electronic file upload: $.05 per each four electronic files uploaded
- Transmission of electronic files: $.10 per gigabyte
- Digital storage device: Actual cost
- Envelope for mailing: Actual cost
- Postage/Delivery charge: Actual cost
No. Your request in itself is a public record, and it can be requested by others. Public record requests are also forwarded to individuals and departments holding the records and, in some circumstances, to third parties who have an interest in the records you have requested.
You may appeal the decision by submitting a written petition for review to the Public Records Officer, who will then refer the petition to the president of the college. The president or the president’s designee will review the denial and will affirm or reverse the denial or consult with the attorney general if needed. The request will be returned with a final decision within five business days following receipt of the appeal by the college.
The college must comply with state laws requiring that its records be made available for public inspection and copying; however, there are provisions in the law that exempt or prohibit disclosure of specific information to the extent required to prevent an unreasonable invasion of privacy (RCW 42.56.230).
Questions?
Pam Davis, Public Records Officer
360.416.7995