Common Exemptions

The Code of Virginia allows any public body to withhold certain records from public disclosure. Virginia Tech commonly withholds records subject to the following exemptions:

• Personnel records (Va. Code § 2.2-3705.1 (1))
• Records subject to attorney-client privilege (Va. Code § 2.2-3705.1 (2)) or attorney work product (Va. Code § 2.2-3705.1 (3))
• Vendor proprietary information software (Va. Code § 2.2-3705.1 (6))
• Records relating to the negotiation and award of a contract, prior to a contract being awarded (Va. Code § 2.2-3705.1 (12))
• Scholastic records (Va. Code § 2.2-3705.4(A)(1); Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99)
• Records of a proprietary nature produced by faculty or staff in the conduct of research on medical, scientific, technical or scholarly issues (Va. Code § 2.2-3705.4(4))
• Presidential working papers (Va. Code § 2.2-3705.7(2))
• Records pertaining to administrative investigations (Va. Code § 2.2-3705.3)
• Certain law enforcement records in the custody of the Virginia Tech Police department (Va. Code § 2.2-3706)

In addition to discretionary exemptions, the Code of Virginia also prohibits the release of some information. For example, Va. Code § 3705.4(B) prohibits the university from releasing student emails, addresses, and phone numbers in response to a request under Virginia’s FOIA without the express written consent of the student or, if under age 18, the student’s parent or legal guardian.

For questions about other exemptions, email FOIA@vt.edu.