Public Records
Grays Harbor College is dedicated to serving our students and the community by providing high-quality education and services in a way that is open, transparent and accountable to all that we serve.
As a publicly funded institution, we are required to make our records available to the public under RCW 42.56. The college has adopted Operational Policy 208 to implement record requests. All records are provided electronically unless specified otherwise by the requester.
Submit a Public Records Request
You may submit a Public Records Request using the online form below (preferred method), by email, in writing, phone, fax or in person.
Written Public Records Request
A written Public Records Request should include the following information:
- Your name
- Mailing address
- Telephone number
- Detailed description of the requested records
Send Your Request To:
- shannon.bell@ghc.edu
- Fax: 360-538-4000
- Mail to:
1620 Edward P. Smith Dr
Aberdeen, WA 98520
After the Request is Received
The College will contact requesters within five business days of the request. In this initial correspondence the College will:
- Provide copies or provide an estimate of when the records will be available; or
- Reply that no responsive documents exist; or
- Acknowledge the request and ask for additional clarification(s); or
- Provide applicable exemption(s).
Third Party Notification
Often requested records contain information that is exempt or protected from release without notification to affected individuals. In these cases, the College will provide affected individuals notice to seek a court order blocking the release of records.
Records Review
All records are provided electronically unless specified otherwise by the requester.
Exemptions to Disclosure
The Public Records Law, RCW 42.56, has few exemptions which are generally narrowly interpreted. All records are considered public unless a specific exemption can be cited.
The College is also bound by the provisions of several other Acts which may prevent the release of certain records. A students' right to privacy is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and is the most commonly used exemption at higher education institutions and protects student education records.