FOIA Request to University of Missouri – Kansas City regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the University of Missouri – Kansas City by KC Reporter, seeking detailed records concerning Chinese National students. The request was made under the Missouri Sunshine Law § 610.023 et seq., with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format.
The request encompasses several specific inquiries:
1. Documents or lists detailing all current students who are Chinese Nationals, including their department of study. If student names are protected, a total number broken down by department is requested.
2. Documents or lists showing all current Chinese National students, specifying the amount and source of each scholarship they receive.
3. A list of recipients of scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council, unless this information is already included in the previous request.
4. Policies or procedures that describe how the university monitors students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect intellectual property and other confidential information.
The request emphasizes that if certain information needs redaction due to privacy concerns, it should be done accordingly. Additionally, it notes that if redaction is burdensome but grouping information does not lose essential details (specifically for request #1), then grouping is permissible.
KC Reporter has requested a fee waiver for this FOIA submission due to its role as a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. The organization is part of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, which assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies using Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws.
We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.
