A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to East Tennessee State University on May 14, 2025, seeking detailed information about Chinese National students enrolled at the institution. The request, made under the Tennessee Open Records Act, aims to obtain records that provide insight into the demographics and financial support of these students.
The Johnson City Times, in collaboration with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, is requesting documents or lists showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If privacy laws restrict access to specific names, a total count of such students by department is requested as an alternative.
Additionally, the request seeks information on scholarships awarded to Chinese National students, including the amount and source of each scholarship. There is a particular interest in identifying recipients of scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council.
Furthermore, the request includes a call for any university policies or procedures related to monitoring students—specifically Chinese Nationals—to safeguard intellectual property and other confidential information.
As media professionals dedicated to transparency and accountability in public institutions, we emphasize the importance of access to public records. We believe this access is crucial for fulfilling our role in disseminating information and holding institutions accountable. Given our role in public service journalism, we have requested a fee waiver for this inquiry.
The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy supports this initiative as part of its mission to enhance transparency through strategic use of Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. For more details about their work, visit [https://stopsecrecy.org/about/](https://stopsecrecy.org/about/).
