The UWM Post is taking part in a nationwide campaign to celebrate open government and raise awareness of the public’s right to know.

Sunshine Week, which lasts from March 12-18, was started last year to open up dialogue on the issue of “sunshine laws.” Sunshine laws are state and federal laws that allow the public access to government records.

The UWM Post plans to submit an open records request for each day of Sunshine Week to help raise a spotlight on the governing bodies of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Dennis Ryerson of the Indianapolis Star, who also serves as the regional director of Sunshine Week for the Midwest, said the importance of Sunshine Week is growing in what he called “an increasing culture of secrecy.”

In recent years, critics and journalists have criticized government bodies for restricting information at an increased rate in the wake of 9-11 and the Iraq War.

Participating organizations run editorials, cartoons and feature stories on open government.

One misconception people have is that this is an issue that only applies to the press. Ryerson said part of Sunshine Week is also informing people that open government affects everyone.

“It’s important to explain to citizens the success and credibility of free flowing information,” he said.

A number of nationwide open-government advocacy groups and legal organizations, including the League of Women Voters, the American Library Association and the National Freedom of Information Coalition, have also supported Sunshine Week.

Gov. Jim Doyle issued a proclamation last year in support of Sunshine Week in Wisconsin and is expected to do so again this year.

At UWM, open records can be accessed through Amy Watson, the school’s legal records custodian.

Watson fielded about 200 open records requests last year — the most she has handled since she began in 2003. She credits increased awareness in open records regulations, but also notes that there are some misunderstandings people have.

“People are aware but think that it’s harder than it is to request something,” Watson said. “It’s a very informal process.”

Requests can be made in person at her office in Chapman Hall, Room 180. Requests are also accepted by e-mail, phone or fax.

Though there are some instances, such as personal information about a student, in which a record will not be released, in most cases a record can be obtained quickly.

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