FOIA Request to Tusculum University Regarding Chinese National Students on May 14, 2025.
As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability in educational institutions, we have submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Tusculum University. This request seeks detailed information about the presence and support of Chinese National students at the university.
Our inquiry includes several specific requests:
1. We are asking for documents or lists that reveal the number of current students who are Chinese Nationals, along with their respective departments of study. If this information is protected, we have requested a total count of these students and a breakdown by department.
2. We seek records detailing any scholarships awarded to Chinese National students, including the amount and source of each scholarship.
3. Additionally, we have requested information on scholarships granted by entities affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council. If this overlaps with our second request, we ask for clarification on which scholarships meet this criterion.
4. Finally, we are interested in understanding how Tusculum University monitors its students—particularly Chinese Nationals—to safeguard intellectual property and confidential information.
This request is made on behalf of Johnson City Times and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy. As media professionals dedicated to informing the public and holding institutions accountable, access to such records is vital for fulfilling our role in promoting transparency.
We believe that as members of the media, we qualify for a fee waiver due to our responsibility in disseminating important information to the public. Our efforts align with those of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media outlets in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information laws.
We await Tusculum University’s response and remain committed to shedding light on these important issues for our readers.
