Columbia News

FOIA Request to University of Missouri - Columbia regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.

Columbia News has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the University of Missouri - Columbia. The request, sent under the Missouri Sunshine Law § 610.023 et seq., seeks information about Chinese National students enrolled at the university.

The request outlines four specific areas of interest. Firstly, it asks for documents or lists showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If such information is protected, the request asks for a total number of these students and a breakdown by department.

Secondly, the request seeks details on scholarships awarded to these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship. Thirdly, it requests information on scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council that may not be covered in the second point.

Lastly, Columbia News requests any policies or procedures detailing how the university monitors its students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect intellectual property and other confidential information.

The email notes that this request is made on behalf of both Columbia News and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy. As members of the media committed to transparency and accountability in public institutions, they have requested a fee waiver due to their role in disseminating information to the public.

For more information about The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, visit their website at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

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.