FOIA Request to University of South Florida Regarding Chinese National Students on June 4, 2025.
As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability in governmental affairs, West Hillsborough News has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the University of South Florida. The request seeks detailed information concerning students who are Chinese Nationals enrolled at the university.
The specific requests include:
1. Documents or lists showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments. If names are protected, we requested a total number broken down by department.
2. Information on scholarships received by these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship.
3. Details about any scholarships granted through affiliations with the Chinese Scholarship Council, either as part of the previous request or separately if not included.
4. Policies or procedures outlining how the university monitors students, including Chinese Nationals, to safeguard intellectual property and confidential information.
This request is made on behalf of West Hillsborough News and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing transparency in government operations. We believe that access to such public records is crucial for holding institutions accountable and providing clear insights into their practices regarding international students.
We have also requested a fee waiver for this information due to our role in gathering and disseminating news to the public. As members of the media, it is imperative that we provide comprehensive coverage that informs citizens about how public institutions operate within legal frameworks designed to protect sensitive information while promoting openness.
For more details about our mission and efforts towards transparency in governance, please visit [The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy](https://stopsecrecy.org/about/).
