Certain information kept on record by The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center (UTHSC-H) is available to the public under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA).
The majority of information within an employee's personnel file is accessible to the public under the TPIA. Information about an employee's rank and title, university address, departmental associations, salary, and so forth are generally considered public information. As a matter of internal and external convenience, the university routinely publishes general public information such as name, title, university address, university email address, and so forth in print and in electronic media. Such publications whether in print or online are available to the general public; employees do not have the option to have their name or other university information included in these documents. The university does not routinely publish salary or home address information although both items of information are considered public information.
UTHSC-H will provide information requested by a person or entity unless it falls under the limited list of exceptions specified in the Texas Public Information Act, in accordance with the Act, unless an opinion is requested from the Texas Attorney General. Within the same time period, the university may notify a faculty member, staff member, and/or student if personal information pertaining to them has been solicited.
No person will be penalized, disciplined, or prejudiced against for requesting such information or for aiding another person in making a request for such information.
The person or entity requesting the information is responsible for costs the university incurs in duplicating the requested records.
See also policy 17.07 Handling Records Requests and 17.06 Records Management Program.
Persons wishing to request information under the Act should send a written request describing the information requested in as much detail as possible to the chief of staff either by email or to 7000 Fannin Suite 1700, Houston, TX 77030. If information requested is unclear, the requestor may be asked to clarify the request. If a large amount of information has been requested, the requestor may be asked how the scope of a request might be narrowed.a Both instances will result in a delay in processing the request.
Responses to requests under the Act will be handled according to the procedures outlined in UT System Policy 139 Texas Public Information Act. Please refer to that policy for more information about the university's procedures, including deadlines for responding to requests.
For answers to specific questions about information available under the Texas Public Information Act, contact Legal Affairs and Institutional Compliance.
a UT System Policy 139 Texas Public Information Act.
Updated 4/03; 08/07