What are public records?

A record is defined as:

• any document, device, or item, regardless of physical form or characteristic, including an electronic record as defined in R.C. 1306.01,
• created or received by or coming under the jurisdiction of any public office of the state or its political subdivisions,
• which serves to document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office.

See Ohio Revised Code Chapter 149, namely R.C. 149.011(G). As a publicly funded state university, Northeast Ohio Medical University is subject to the Ohio Public Records Act (or the “Sunshine Laws”) and has an obligation to make its records available upon request, unless a statutory exemption applies. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has extensive resources and training available related to public records.