IT Services
News - February 21, 2008

LCC Employees

ASSUME THAT E-MAIL IS PUBLIC INFORMATION

This is not something new, nor is it a change in college practice. It is a reminder of the very public nature of our e-mail communications. E-mail feels like a very private way of communicating; it's not. The college may be required to disclose it upon request or court order.

E-mail created, received or stored with any college owned e-mail system (GroupWise being the primary one) or that relates to the conduct of the public's business is considered both college property and public information. This means, given a demonstrated need and/or a public request, that the college may examine the contents of your e-mail account. It also means that, given a valid public information request, the college is required to make e-mail public. This happened last year during the "gates" debate when the Register-Guard requested and received copies of e-mail relating to the installation of security gates. With very few exceptions, e-mail that either relates to the conduct of the public's business or that is contained on a system owned by a public entity is non-exempt and subject to public disclosure.

Any college examination of e-mail accounts follows the protocols of college policy and union contracts. You've heard it before: "Don't type it unless you are comfortable seeing it on the front page of the Register-Guard". With very few exceptions, e-mail is public information.

Submitted by Stephen F. Pruch, Associate Vice President for Information Technology.