FOIA Request to University of Massachusetts-Boston regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the University of Massachusetts-Boston by Bean Town Times, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs. The request seeks information about Chinese National students currently enrolled at the university. The request was 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 inquiries:
1. Documents or lists showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If this information is protected, a total number of such students broken down by department is requested.
2. Documents or lists detailing scholarships received by current Chinese National students, including the amount and source of each scholarship.
3. A list of recipients of any scholarships granted by entities affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council, if not included in the previous request.
4. Policies or procedures that describe how the university monitors students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect intellectual property and other confidential information.
The FOIA request emphasizes that if certain student names are protected, redaction is acceptable where appropriate. Additionally, it suggests grouping information when feasible to minimize burdensome redaction processes.
Bean Town Times has requested a fee waiver for this FOIA submission due to its role as a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public. The request also highlights affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, an organization dedicated to investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information 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.
