(1) Notifying interested persons. The college, as required by permitted law or contract, including any collective bargaining agreement, and in other appropriate circumstances, may notify persons named in a public record, or to whom the record specifically pertains, that release of the record has been requested and that such persons may apply to the superior court for a protective order under RCW 42.56.540.

(2) Applying for court protection. The college in appropriate circumstances may apply to the superior court for a protective order enjoining the examination of any specific public record in accordance with the procedures under RCW 42.56.540. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as either requiring or prohibiting the college's application to the court for such an order.