Nicholls State University (LA) Drone Documents

TO: Shawn Musgrave, MuckRock News

Good afternoon:

This is a preliminary response to your request for public records dated
Tuesday, October 16, 2012, to Renee Piper, University Relations. Dr.
Stephen Hulbert, University President, is the public official/head of
Nicholls State University and has official custody or control of public
records from this institution. He has designated me to review, discuss with
counsel and individuals involved, and respond to requests for such records.

There may be documentation applicable to your inquiry; we are currently
researching the topic for appropriate documents and information. Fulfilling
this request involves contacting several sources on campus and the process
may take a week or so depending on personnel availability.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to waive the charges associated with
producing the requested documents. The cost will be, in accordance with
the Louisiana Administrative Code, $0.25 per page. Once we have determined
what documentation exists, I can better advise you of the approximate cost.
I will contact you again as soon as a determination has been made.

Regards,

Sue Aysen, Administrative Office Manager

for Dr. Laynie Barrilleaux, Vice President

Academic Affairs

Nicholls State University

Thibodaux, LA 70310

985-448-4013

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <requests@muckrock.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 1:44 PM
Subject: Freedom of Information Request: Nicholls State University Drone
Documents
To: renee.piper@nicholls.edu

October 16, 2012
Nicholls State University
906 East 1st Street
Thibodaux, LA 70301

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the the Louisiana Public Records Act, I hereby request the
following records:

1. any requests for proposals, proposals submitted by vendors, contracts,
budgets or cost allocations for the purchase, research of and/or use of
aerial drones, UAs, UAVs, and UASs (hereinafter “drones”);

2. any policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on institutional
use of drones, including on the legal process required (such as a warrant
or court order), if any, before operating a drone;

3. any departmental records concerning this institution's use of and/or
research of drones now or plans to use drones in the future including:

a. the types of investigations or instances in which this department is
using or plans to use drones, or how it plans to support, manage or oversee
the usage of drones by another department or office;

b. policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on storage
requirements or procedures for video or static images obtained through use
of drones, including retention times;

c. the altitude at which drones can or do fly;

d. drones’ ability to carry weapons.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this
request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made
available to the general public free of charge as part of the public
information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the
news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for
commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would
inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would
prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available
or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I
look forward to receiving your response to this request within 3 business
days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Shawn Musgrave

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com

For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 2020
PO Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819

PLEASE NOTE the new address as well as the fact that improperly addressed
(i.e., with the requester's name rather than MuckRock News) requests might
be returned by the USPS as undeliverable.

Good afternoon:

Attached is a response to your request to your request for information
dated October 16, 2012. Dr. Stephen Hulbert, University President, is the
public official/head of Nicholls and has official custody or control of
public records from this institution. He has designated me to review,
discuss with counsel and individuals involved, and respond to requests for
such records.

We have researched documentation applicable to your inquiry. Unfortunately,
we will not be able to waive the charges associated with producing the
requested documents. The cost will be, in accordance with the Louisiana
Administrative Code, $0.25 per page. We have produced a document
applicable to No. 1 of your request. As stated in the attached response
letter, the document is 53 pages. The total amount due to receive a copy
of the document is $13.25. You may pay the fee by credit card (form
attached) and email it back to me, or you can send a check payable to
Nicholls State University to: Nicholls State University, Academic Affairs,
P.O. Box 2002, Thibodaux, LA 70310. Once payment is received, we will
provide the information to you by email.

Thank you,