FOIA Request to Westfield State University regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Westfield State University on June 16, 2025, by Springfield City Wire. The request seeks detailed information concerning Chinese National students enrolled at the university. The inquiry is made under the Massachusetts Public Records Act § 66-10 et seq., with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format.
The request includes several specific items:
1. A list or documents showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If student names are protected, the request asks for a total number of such students and a breakdown by department.
2. Documents or lists detailing all current Chinese National students, including the amount and source of each scholarship they receive.
3. Information on any scholarships awarded by grantors affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council, if not already covered in the previous item.
4. Policies or procedures that describe how Westfield State University monitors its students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect intellectual property and other confidential information.
The request emphasizes that if redaction is necessary due to privacy concerns, it should be applied accordingly. Additionally, Springfield City Wire requests a fee waiver based on their role as a media organization committed to transparency and accountability in public institutions.
Springfield City Wire has partnered with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests and similar legal tools. More information about this coalition can be found 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.
