Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution subject to the state of Missouri’s Sunshine Law. This document explains the Sunshine Law and outlines the procedures for making an open records request. 

Public Records

Unless otherwise provided by law, public records of the University are to be open and available to the public for inspection and copying.

The University may charge up to 10 cents per page for standard copies and the actual cost of the copy for larger or specialized documents (such as maps, photos and graphics). The University may also charge a reasonable fee for the time necessary to search for and copy public records. Research time may be charged at the actual cost incurred to locate the requested records. Copying time shall not exceed the average hourly rate of pay for clerical staff of the University. The University may reduce or waive costs when it determines the request is made in the public interest and is not made for commercial purposes.

All requests for information under the Sunshine Law should be directed to the designated custodian of records. Chris Martin, Chief of Staff and Asst. to the President for Strategy & Gov. Relations, serves as the University’s designated custodian of records.

Meeting Notices 

At least 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) before a public Board of Governors meeting, the University must prominently post a notice of the meeting at its principal office. At Southeast, notice is posted on the bulletin board outside of the President's Office in Academic Hall. The notice must include: 

• Time of meeting 
• Date of meeting 
• Place of meeting 
• Tentative agenda of an open meeting 
• Whether the meeting is open or closed 

If the University’s Board intends to hold a meeting by conference call or other electronic means, the notice will specify the location where the public may observe and attend that meeting.

Closed Meetings 

The University’s Board of Governors is permitted to close its meetings, records and votes when they relate to certain issues. Matters that may be closed include: 

• Legal actions, causes of action or litigation (except that votes, minutes and settlement agreements must be opened to the public on final disposition, unless ordered closed by a court) 
• Leasing, purchase or sale of real estate where public knowledge might adversely affect the amount paid in the transaction 
• Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting a particular employee 
• Welfare cases of identifiable individuals 
• Software codes for electronic data processing 
• Individually identifiable personnel records 
• Records related to existing or proposed security systems 
• Records that are protected from disclosure by other laws 

See. § CRO.021, RSMo for additional information. 

Open Records Requests 

When making a request for records, please indicate the request is being made under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610, Revised Statutes of Missouri. The request may be sent via email to cmartin@semo.edu or regular mail to the following address: 

Chris Martin 
Southeast Missouri State University 
One University Plaza, MS 3300 
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 

When making the request, please describe the records as specifically as possible. If asking for records that cover only a particular period (such as a particular semester or a specific month), please identify that time period. If you know the subject matter of the records, but do not have any additional information, indicate that you are requesting all records that relate to the subject matter. Be specific, including dates, if possible. 

Please indicate whether you would like to receive the information via hard copy or electronically. If requesting to receive the information electronically, please specify the format (e.g., .pdf, .zip) in which you would like to receive the documents. 

As allowed by Missouri Sunshine Law, the University charges 10 cents per page for copied materials, as well as applicable fees for the time necessary to research and copy public records. The University will notify the requestor of the fees associated with processing the request. The request will be processed once payment has been received. Please include the appropriate mailing address if requesting that hard copies be provided. 

If you believe your request serves the public interest, and is not wholly for a personal or commercial interest, you may ask that the fees be waived. If making such a request, please include how the information will be used and why that use is in the public interest. 

If portions of the requested records are closed, the University will segregate the closed portions and provide the requestor with the remainder of the records.