FOIA Request to University of Mississippi Medical Center regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.
On June 16, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center by Hinds Today, a media organization dedicated to covering local governmental affairs. The request seeks information under the Mississippi Public Records Act concerning Chinese National students enrolled at the university.
The request specifically asks for several types of records. Firstly, it requests documents or lists showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If this information is protected, an alternative option provided is to share the total number of such students and their distribution across departments.
Secondly, the request seeks documents or lists detailing scholarships received by these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship. Furthermore, it inquires about any recipients of scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council.
Additionally, the request includes a call for any policies or procedures that outline how the university monitors its students, including Chinese Nationals, to safeguard its intellectual property and other confidential information.
The FOIA request emphasizes that access to these public records is crucial for fulfilling journalistic duties such as holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. The requester also indicates eligibility for a fee waiver due to their role in news dissemination.
This request is made on behalf of both Hinds Today and 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.
