FOIA Request to University of West Florida Regarding Chinese National Students on June 4, 2025.
As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability in local governmental affairs, we at the Pensacola Times have submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the University of West Florida. This request seeks detailed information about Chinese National students currently enrolled at the university.
Specifically, we are requesting documents or lists that identify all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If privacy concerns prevent the disclosure of individual names, we have asked for a total count of these students, broken down by department.
Additionally, we seek information on scholarships awarded to these students. This includes details on the amount each student receives and the source of these scholarships. We are particularly interested in any scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council.
Furthermore, our request extends to any university policies or procedures designed to monitor students—particularly Chinese Nationals—to safeguard intellectual property and other confidential information.
This inquiry is made on behalf of both our publication and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating state and federal governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. As members of the media, we believe access to public records is crucial for fulfilling our role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency for the public.
We look forward to receiving this information promptly as it will aid us in informing the American electorate about important educational and governmental practices.
