Institutional Press Policies (University of Texas, Austin)

Dear Anne Tamburro:

Thank you for your interest in the public records of The University of Texas at Austin.
Your request has been given the reference number R004643-053123 for
tracking purposes. Your request is being processed in accordance with Chapter
552 of Texas Government Code, the Public Information Act. We will respond to
you on or before 6/15/2023. Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Any policy, guidance, handbook, manual, or standard contract concerning the institution’s interactions or relationship with members of the news media, reporters, or journalists, including student journalists.

2. Any policy, guidance, handbook, or manual concerning the interactions or communications of institutional employees, including faculty, administrators, staff, and student employees, with the news media, reporters, or journalists, including student journalists.

Please note that this request does not seek a search of faculty or student email accounts or records. These requests should in no way be construed to include a review or search of email accounts, websites, or other forms of data or document retention which are controlled by students, alumni, or faculty members, nor by governmental or advisory bodies controlled by the same, except insofar as any such individuals also serve in an administrative capacity and the records were created or are held by the individual in that capacity. Any search should be limited to documents held by the administration and/or its staff members, including records created or maintained by persons acting in the capacity of administrators or staff members.

This request is made on behalf of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that aims to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought. This request concerns a matter of public interest. The records are sought for the purpose of researching and educating the public about policies affecting student journalists' ability to engage in news gathering and reporting on college and university campuses.

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, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Anne Marie Tamburro

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
PLEASE NOTE: The Public Information Act, found in Chapter 552 of Texas Government Code, does not require a governmental body to create new
information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.

You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using The University of Texas at Austin Public Information Portal.
The University of Texas at Austin
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Information Portal (https://utexas.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/CustomerIssues.aspx)

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST # R004643-053123.

Dear Anne Tamburro,
The University of Texas at Austin received a public information request from you which provides as follows: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Any policy, guidance, handbook, manual, or standard contract concerning the institution’s interactions or relationship with members of the news media, reporters, or journalists, including student journalists.

2. Any policy, guidance, handbook, or manual concerning the interactions or communications of institutional employees, including faculty, administrators, staff, and student employees, with the news media, reporters, or journalists, including student journalists.

Please note that this request does not seek a search of faculty or student email accounts or records. These requests should in no way be construed to include a review or search of email accounts, websites, or other forms of data or document retention which are controlled by students, alumni, or faculty members, nor by governmental or advisory bodies controlled by the same, except insofar as any such individuals also serve in an administrative capacity and the records were created or are held by the individual in that capacity. Any search should be limited to documents held by the administration and/or its staff members, including records created or maintained by persons acting in the capacity of administrators or staff members.

This request is made on behalf of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that aims to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought. This request concerns a matter of public interest. The records are sought for the purpose of researching and educating the public about policies affecting student journalists' ability to engage in news gathering and reporting on college and university campuses.

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, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Anne Marie Tamburro

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
The information that is responsive to your request is now available for download on our Public Information Portal.  Please login to the Public Information Portal at the following link to retrieve the appropriate responsive documents: Public Information Request - R004643-053123 (https://utexas.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/RequestEdit.aspx?rid=4790&coid=)
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact my office at 512-471-8300.


Sincerely,



Bob Bonner-Davis
Chief Public Information Coordinator
Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs