Many of San Francisco State University’s records are available for public inspection under the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code section 6250 et seq.). San Francisco State University may redact exempt information from public records, and certain records are exempt from public disclosure all together. The Public Records Act does not require San Francisco State University to create documents that do not already exist.
The California Legislature passed the California Public Records Act (CPRA) in 1968 for government agencies and requires that government records be disclosed to the public, upon request, unless there are privacy and/or public safety exemptions that would prevent doing so.
Public Records requests under the California Public Records Act should be submitted by mail to:
Public Records Coordinator
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
Public Records requests may also be submitted via email to sfstatepra@sfsu.edu. The University will acknowledge each request within 10 days and advise the requester whether records exist and may be disclosed. If responsive records exist, SF State will, within a reasonable time frame, make public records available for inspection at no charge. If you wish to receive copies instead, California State University's document duplication cost is $0.20 per page.
A subpoena is a legal document that commands a person or entity to testify as a witness or to produce documents or other tangible objects in a legal proceeding. It is equivalent to a direct order from a court. Subpoenas seeking San Francisco State University records will need to be served in person, as required by state law, see California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 2020.220 and 2029.400, or see California Penal Code § 1328(a).
In light of the pandemic, San Francisco State University is moving delivery locations for any persons attempting to deliver official documents such as summons and subpoenas to the Human Resources office until further notice. For assistance, please call the front desk at (415) 338-1872 or email the Public Records Coordinator at sfstatepra@sfsu.edu. The full address for the office is:
San Francisco State University
Human Resources
1600 Holloway Avenue, ADM 252
San Francisco, CA 94132
Hours of operation are weekdays 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm (holidays excluded).
Please Note:
- Subpoenas for records must be personally served. We are unable to respond to subpoenas that are sent via fax, email, or mail.
- Subpoenas must be accompanied by a $15 witness fee.
- Subpoenas require a wet signature by the requesting attorney pursuant to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§1985(c). The use of /s/ as a signature is not acceptable.
A subpoena for a personal appearance by a witness for a trial, deposition, or any other hearing, can only be accepted by that person. If San Francisco State University is named as a party, the matter must be referred to the Office of General Counsel at the CSU Chancellor's Office.
For more information on the updated service process, please review the Announcement regarding Changes.