RNL contracts and reports

Todd Feathers filed this request with the Weber State University of Utah.

It is a clone of this request.

Submitted Nov. 23, 2022
Status
Rejected

From: Todd Feathers

Subject: Government Records Access and Management Act Request: RNL contracts and reports

Email

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Government Records Access and Management Act, I hereby request the following records:

1) All documentation since Jan. 1, 2017 of the university's contracts with Ruffalo, Noel, Levitz (RNL) for the firm's Demand Builder, Applicant Cultivator, ForecastPlus, and/or Student Search Predictive Analytics services. Specifically, this should include contracts, statements of work, successful RFP response packages, sole source agreements, and data privacy agreements.

2) All model workbooks for the university's Demand Builder, Applicant Cultivator, ForecastPlus, and/or Student Search Predictive Analytics models. These workbooks, which RNL provides in Excel or other spreadsheet format, contain the model(s)' glossary of variables, market summaries, and model scores and results, among other information. If it would aid in your search, I can provide an example of an RNL model workbook.

3) All plans and reports prepared by the university enrollment staff or RNL since Jan. 1, 2017 regarding the university's use of the Demand Builder, Applicant Cultivator, ForecastPlus, and/or Student Search Predictive Analytics model results. This includes, but is not limited to, plans and reports describing the university's use of model scores to inform student list purchases, targeted communication campaigns, and/or recruiting trips.

4) All end-year conversion reports prepared for the university by RNL since Jan. 1, 2017. If it would aid in your search, I can provide an example of an RNL end-year conversion report.

5) All prospect analysis reports prepared for the university by RNL since Jan. 1, 2017. If it would aid in your search, I can provide an example of an RNL end-year conversion report.

I ask that all fees be waived as intend to use the requested records to further public understanding of public agencies.

Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of responsive documents, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portions from public review.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Todd Feathers

From: Weber State University

Subject: GRAMA Records Request Response

Email

Mr. Feathers:

Your request for copies of documents on file at Weber State University
under the provisions of the Utah Government Record Access and Management
Act (“GRAMA”) was received on November 29, 2022. Your request falls under
several categories where GRAMA authorizes an extended timeframe for
response, including the following:

- where a request is for a voluminous quantity of records;

- the governmental entity is currently processing a large number of
records requests;

- where the request requires the governmental entity to review a large
number of records to locate the records requested; and

- records which require the review of legal counsel;

- where the request requires segregation of data between information the
requester is entitled to inspect and information the requester is not
entitled to inspect. Utah Code Ann. § 63G-2-204(5).

Additionally, Under Utah Code Ann. § 63G-2-203, the University is allowed
to charge a reasonable fee in an effort to offset expenses associated with
providing records. The estimated fee for your request is $5,250. *Prepayment
is required.* Once we have received the prepayment deposit, we will begin
the process of compiling and preparing the records for your request. It
is anticipated that it will take staff 3 to 4 weeks to compile the records
for your request.

Please let us know if you still want us to proceed.

You have the right to appeal this decision by filing a notice of appeal
within 30 days to:

*President*

*Weber State University*

*3850 Dixon Parkway Dept. 1001*

*Ogden, UT 84408-1001*

A notice of appeal must contain the following: petitioner’s name; mailing
address; daytime telephone number; and relief sought. The notice of appeal
should also include a short statement of facts, reasons, and legal
authority in support of the appeal.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at
801-626-6613 <801-538-3020> or via email (rsmith11@weber.edu)
Regards,

*Ron Smith*
Controller & Records Officer
*Weber State University*
*3850 Dixon Parkway, Dept 1014*
*Ogden, UT 84408-1014*
*801 626-6613*

From: Todd Feathers

Subject: RE: Government Records Access and Management Act Request: RNL contracts and reports

Email

Hello Ron,

Thank you very much for your help with this.

Could you please explain why you anticipate this search to take so long and involve so much work that it will cost more than $5,000?

I've submitted identical requests to dozens of universities and nobody's had any trouble finding the records.

Best,
Todd Feathers

From: Weber State University

Subject: Re: Government Records Access and Management Act Request: RNL contracts and reports

Email

Mr. Feathers:

You missed the deadline to appeal our response sent on December 14, 2022.
We now consider the matter closed.

Respectfully,

*Ron Smith*
Controller & Records Officer
*Weber State University*
*3850 Dixon Parkway, Dept 1014*
*Ogden, UT 84408-1014*
*801 626-6613*