Right-to-Know / Open Records Request

Public Record Policy

The Borough follows a strict Public Records Policy to assure compliance with Act 3 of 2008, The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, as amended; to provide access to public records of the Borough of State College; to preserve the integrity of the Borough's records; and to minimize the financial impact of the residents regarding the resources utilized in the receipt and processing of public record request and the retrieval and copying of public records.

View the Borough's Public Records Policy (PDF).
View the Office of Open Records Policy (PDF)

Process to Request an Open Record

If you would like to make a request for a copy of an Open Record follow these steps:

  1. Complete the required Open Records Request Form (PDF).
  2. You then can email, fax or send to the Right to Know Officer:

Public records are open to inspection and for duplication during normal office hours, 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, except for holidays.

Upon receipt of a request, the Right to Know Officer will:

  1. Note the date of receipt on the written request.
  2. Compute the day on which the five-day period will expire and make a notation of that date on the written request.
  3. Maintain an electronic or paper copy of a written request, including all documents submitted with the request until the request has been fulfilled. If the request is denied, the written request shall be maintained for 30 days or, if an appeal is filed, until a final determination is issued or the appeal is deemed denied.

Appeals

Appeals should be made to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the mailing date of the Borough's denial of a record. Appeals should be sent to:
Office of Open Records
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 N Street
4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225

For more information on what is required to appeal a decision to deny a record, visit the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records website.

Appeals to requests for criminal police records should be made the Centre County District Attorney's office and should be sent to:
Bernie Cantorna, Centre County District Attorney
Centre County Courthouse
102 S Allegheny Street
Room 404
Bellefonte, PA 16823-1488

Right-to-Know Officer

The State College Borough Right-to-Know Officer is Borough Manager Thomas J. Fountaine. The Deputy Open Records Officer is Chief John Gardner. Tom Fountaine is responsible for the records of the Borough, overseeing all records in the Administration, Finance, Public Works, Health, Planning and Information Technology Departments. Chief Gardner is responsible for the records in the Police Department.