In-Depth Exploration and Review of University of North Carolina – Charlotte’s Communications with Government Bodies and Other Stakeholders

Eliab Marelli filed this request with the University of North Carolina, Charlotte of North Carolina.
Tracking #

24-72

Est. Completion May 6, 2024
Status
Awaiting Response

Communications

From: Eliab Marelli

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

Access to and copies of all records as detailed below, held by University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNCC), regardless of format, medium, or physical characteristics. I am seeking records concerning the following UNCC employee:

• Carolyn Keith (ckeith11@uncc.edu)

And in connection with:

• Patrick Bourke (PBourke@eda.gov)
• Steve Kalland (steve_kalland@ncsu.edu)
• Allison Carr (akcarr@ncsu.edu)
• Samantha Gibson (sgibson3@ncsu.edu)
• Frank Avery (FAvery@eda.gov)
• Peter Ledford (peter.ledford@nc.gov)
• Eric Muth (ermuth@ncat.edu)
• Caroline Finklea Sullivan (caroline.sullivan@nc.gov)
• Andrea DeSantis (andrea.desantis@nc.gov)
• Jennifer Mundt (Jennifer.Mundt@commerce.nc.gov)
• Chet Mottershead (chet.mottershead@commerce.nc.gov)
• Machelle Sanders (machelle.sanders@commerce.nc.gov)
• Rob Cox (rcox3@uncc.edu, robert.cox@charlotte.edu)
• Robert (Bob) Powell (rpow426@gmail.com, rpowell@ncat.edu)
• Ward Lenz (ward@energync.org)
• Deb Wojcik (Deb@researchtrianglecleantech.org)

• Email domains: @ncat.edu, @ncsu.edu, @uncc.edu, @charlotte.edu, @nc.gov, @appstate.edu, @advancedenergy.org, @commerce.nc.gov, @researchtrianglecleantech.org, @ncat.edu, @ncsu.edu, @uncc.edu, @charlotte.edu, @nc.gov, @appstate.edu, @advancedenergy.org, @commerce.nc.gov, @researchtrianglecleantech.org

For records including but not limited to emails, text messages, phone call logs, phone call notes, video call logs, video call notes, notes referencing phone calls or video calls, social media posts, documentation, notes, emails, prepared agendas, meeting schedules during work hours or after, whether onsite or offsite, and whether on university equipment or personal devices.

This request includes any communications from, to, cc’d, or bcc’d, and regardless of current status (inbox, sent folder, outbox, junk mail, deleted items, or draft folders). The requested records span from September 1, 2022, up to and including the date of receipt of this request or until the date that this request is satisfied/fulfilled, whichever occurs later.

I understand that there may be fees associated with this request. I would appreciate if you would inform me of any possible charges in advance of fulfilling my request. However, if possible, I would prefer to receive these documents electronically to manage cost and expedite transference.

If there are any fees for searching or copying these records, please inform me if the cost will exceed [your maximum willing to pay amount]. However, I would also request a waiver of all fees as the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in my commercial interest.

If my request is denied in whole or part, I ask that you justify all deletions by reference to specific exemptions of the act. I will also expect you to release all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material. I reserve the right to appeal your decision to withhold any information or to deny a waiver of fees.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, 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 10 business days.

Sincerely,

Eliab Marelli

From: University of North Carolina, Charlotte

UNC Charlotte

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Your record request #24-72 has been submitted successfully.

This will acknowledge your request submitted to UNC Charlotte. We will respond accordingly.

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From: University of North Carolina, Charlotte

UNC Charlotte

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A message was sent to you regarding record request #24-72:

Eliab Marelli,

We reviewed your request and would like to discuss the scope. I tried calling the number you provided but it was unable to connect at this time. Would you please contact me at 704-687-8592 at your earliest convenience.

Thank you,

Tina Dadio

University Public Records Officer/Legal Specialist

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From: Eliab Marelli

Hi Tina,

I am currently out of pocket with travels, however if you could explain any questions you have about scope. I'll commit to monitoring this platform to address.

With appreciation,

Eliab

From: University of North Carolina, Charlotte

UNC Charlotte

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A message was sent to you regarding record request #24-72:

Eliab:

This email is in response to your public records request, received on April 8, 2024, which asked for a variety of documents from September 1, 2022, up to the date of receipt of the request. The request includes:

 1.     “copies of all records…concerning the following UNCC employee Carolyn Keith (ckeith11@uncc.edu) and in connection with: Patrick Bourke (PBourke@eda.gov); Steve Kalland (steve_kalland@ncsu.edu); Allison Carr (akcarr@ncsu.edu); Samantha Gibson (sgibson3@ncsu.edu); Frank Avery (FAvery@eda.gov); Peter Ledford (peter.ledford@nc.gov); Eric Muth (ermuth@ncat.edu); Caroline Finklea Sullivan (caroline.sullivan@nc.gov); Andrea DeSantis (andrea.desantis@nc.gov); Jennifer Mundt (Jennifer.Mundt@commerce.nc.gov); Chet Mottershead (chet.mottershead@commerce.nc.gov); Machelle Sanders (machelle.sanders@commerce.nc.gov); Rob Cox (rcox3@uncc.edu, robert.cox@charlotte.edu); Robert (Bob) Powell (rpow426@gmail.com, rpowell@ncat.edu); Ward Lenz (ward@energync.org); Deb Wojcik (Deb@researchtrianglecleantech.org)”

2.     Ms. Keith’s emails in connection with the following email domains: @ncat.edu, @ncsu.edu, @uncc.edu, @charlotte.edu, @nc.gov, @appstate.edu, @advancedenergy.org, @commerce.nc.gov, @researchtrianglecleantech.org, @ncat.edu, @ncsu.edu, @uncc.edu, @charlotte.edu, @nc.gov, @appstate.edu, @advancedenergy.org, @commerce.nc.gov, @researchtrianglecleantech.org.

 3.     “For records including but not limited to emails, text messages, phone call logs, phone call notes, video call logs, video call notes, notes referencing phone calls or video calls, social media posts, documentation, notes, emails, prepared agendas, meeting schedules during work hours or after, whether onsite or offsite, and whether on university equipment or personal devices.”

Once we received your request, we began analyzing the full scope of this request, including the hours and personnel required to fulfill the request.  

For the first request, after running an email search between Ms. Carolyn Keith and the sixteen (16) individual domains listed in the first part of your request, it returned over 3,600 emails. We anticipate it will take approximately fifty (50) hours for review for responsiveness related to this part of the request.

The second part of your request (#2 above) resulted in over 19,000 emails, which would result in hundreds of hours of review.

The third part of your request (#3 above) is being processed and we will provide you with an estimate or charges once we review the extensiveness of the records.

While UNC Charlotte has every intention of complying with our statutory public records obligations, we have determined that your request requires extensive clerical and supervisory staff. The basis for this determination is the scope of this request, including reviewing over 22,000 emails. According to University Policy 605.8 (available at http://legal.uncc.edu/policies/up-605.8), this expenditure of time constitutes “extensive clerical and supervisory assistance” as defined by North Carolina Gen. Stat. §132-6.2. Since your request is considered extraordinary, it will incur a special charge at a presumptive rate of $18 per hour applied after the fourth hour of work on the request.

Given the scope of the request, would you like to revise or narrow the search, especially the first and second parts of your request?

Please let me know if you would like to proceed with your request by Monday, May 6, 2024. We will resume per your direction.

If you would like to discuss, I’m available at (704) 687-8592.

Regards,

Tina Dadio

 

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From: Eliab Marelli

Hi Tina,

I am acknowledging receipt and will revert on or before Monday, May 6th, 2024.

Again, thank you!

Eliab

From: University of North Carolina, Charlotte

UNC Charlotte

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A message was sent to you regarding record request #24-72:

Thank you. We will await your response.

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<em>Questions about your request?</em> Reply to this email or sign in to contact staff at UNC Charlotte.<br><em>Technical support:</em> See our <a href="https://www.nextrequest.civicplus.help/hc/en-us/categories/17720084172567-Requesters">help page</a>

From: Eliab Marelli

Hi Tina,

I hope that you had a weekend that was restorative to you! After reviewing the scope of the search, I understand the significant workload it entails.

Considering the extensive volume of emails returned from the search and the potential charges involved, at this time, I will revise, narrow and modify the request.

UNCC employee Carolyn Keith (ckeith11@uncc.edu) and Caroline Finklea Sullivan (caroline.sullivan@nc.gov); Andrea DeSantis (andrea.desantis@nc.gov); Jennifer Mundt (Jennifer.Mundt@commerce.nc.gov), plus emails, notes etc regarding the establishment of the Clean Carolinas' (www.cleancarolinas.io/Home) initiative.

I still would like to understand the details around the effort for #3 in your previous message.

Let me know if you require anything additional.

Best regards,

Eliab

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