Public Records and the Open Public Records Act
Brookdale Community College provides access to government records in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et. seq.
Brookdale’s Board of Trustees Policy 2.0002 and Board of Trustees Regulation 2.0002R detail the establishment of a Government Records Custodian at the College who is responsible for developing and supervising the process by which members of the public may request Brookdale records. There are both general and specific exemptions that apply to the definition of “government record.” In addition to reviewing the College’s Policy and Regulation, requestors are encouraged to access the Government Records Council’s website which contains useful information and additional guidance on the OPRA law. http://www.state.nj.us/grc.
To Submit an OPRA Request at Brookdale
OPRA requests are processed through the College’s Government Records Custodian, located in the Office of President, 2nd Floor, Business Administration Center, at the Lincroft campus. Requestors can contact the Records Custodian, Bonnie Passarella, Esq. at (732) 224 – 2239 or via email at bpassarella@brookdalecc.edu. The requestor must make the request using the College’s OPRA Request Form and may submit the OPRA Request Form as follows:
- Electronically via email: bpassarella@brookdalecc.edu
- Via Mail: Legal Affairs Officer/Government Records Custodian, Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, BAC Room 205, Lincroft, NJ 07738.
Records Access
Upon receipt of the OPRA request, the Records Custodian will provide a response in accordance with applicable law. Note that OPRA requests will not be processed on weekends, holidays, and when the College is closed.
Right of Appeal
A person denied access to a properly requested government record has the right to appeal a denial of, or failure to provide, requested information, by filing a complaint with the Government Records Council. For more information regarding OPRA, or to file a dispute, complaint or appeal, contact the Government Records Council toll free at 866-850-0511; by mail at PO Box 819, Trenton, NJ 08625; by e-mail at grc@dca.sate.nj.us; or at their website http://www.state.nj.us/grc.