FOIA Request to Saint Louis Community College regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Saint Louis Community College by North STL News, seeking detailed records concerning Chinese National students at the institution. The request, made under the Missouri Sunshine Law § 610.023 et seq., asks for information in an electronic format.
The request specifically seeks:
1. Documents or lists identifying all current students who are Chinese Nationals, including their departments of study. If such details are protected, a total number of these students and a breakdown by department is requested.
2. Information on scholarships received by these students, detailing the amount and source of each scholarship.
3. A list of scholarship recipients with connections to the Chinese Scholarship Council, unless this information is already covered in the previous request.
4. Policies or procedures outlining how the university monitors its students, including Chinese Nationals, to safeguard intellectual property and other confidential information.
The request emphasizes that if certain student details are protected by privacy laws, redaction is acceptable where applicable. Additionally, it notes that if redaction is burdensome but “just totaling” does not compromise the data’s integrity, then grouping information may be used for efficiency.
North STL News asserts its role as a media organization committed to transparency and accountability in public institutions and requests a fee waiver based on its media status. The request also highlights affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit dedicated to investigating governmental actions through transparency 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.
