FOIA Request to Western Kentucky University regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Western Kentucky University by Bowling Green Today, a media organization dedicated to covering local governmental affairs. The request seeks specific records related to Chinese National students enrolled at the university.
The request is made under the Kentucky Open Records Act § 61.872 et seq., with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format. The first item requested is any documents or lists that identify all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If student names are protected, the request asks for a total number of such students and a breakdown by department.
Additionally, the request seeks documents detailing scholarships awarded to these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship. A specific interest is expressed in identifying recipients of scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council.
Furthermore, Bowling Green Today has requested any policies or procedures that outline how the university monitors its students, including Chinese Nationals, to safeguard intellectual property and other confidential information.
The request emphasizes that access to these public records is crucial for fulfilling journalistic duties of holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. The requester has also asked for a fee waiver as a media professional engaged in gathering and reporting news.
This FOIA request is supported by The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization assisting media companies in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information laws. More details about this coalition can be found on their website here.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
