Responding to one of the most persistent criticisms of its administration, the University announced Friday the creation of a new office charged with making the school’s records available to the public.
A statement from the University said the school receives “125 to 150” public records requests a year, but in the past, news organizations and faculty members who seek access to University documents have accused the school of delaying requests and being unwilling to release information.
The announcement of the Office of Public Records’ creation comes in the aftermath of Mike Bellotti’s departure as athletic director and subsequent disclosures that he never had a contract. Once that news became public, the University said it would begin to revise its public records procedures.
Steve Duin, a columnist for The Oregonian, called the University’s policy on public records under former president Dave Frohnmayer “a code of secrecy worthy of the KGB.”
University officials have yet to decide how the new office will run, the University’s statement said. Assistant Vice President for Administration Brian Smith will lead the office until the University hires a permanent public records office.
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