FOIA Request to College of Southern Idaho Regarding Chinese National Students on June 4, 2025.
We, at Magic Valley Times, have submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the College of Southern Idaho seeking detailed records concerning Chinese National students enrolled at the institution. Our request aims to gather comprehensive data under the Idaho Public Records Act § 74-101 et seq., which is essential for our investigative reporting and commitment to transparency in local governmental affairs.
The request includes several specific inquiries:
1. We are seeking documents or lists that detail all current students who are Chinese Nationals, including their respective departments of study. If this information is protected, we have requested a total count of these students along with a departmental breakdown.
2. We have asked for records showing the scholarships received by these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship.
3. Additionally, we seek information on any scholarships provided by grantors affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council that may not be covered in our second request.
4. Lastly, we are requesting any policies or procedures that outline how the university monitors its students—specifically Chinese Nationals—to safeguard intellectual property and other confidential information.
This request is made in collaboration with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing transparency through public records access. As media professionals committed to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public, we believe this information is crucial for informed reporting and public awareness.
Our role as members of the media positions us uniquely to disseminate this information effectively; hence, we have also requested a fee waiver typically granted to media professionals under such circumstances.
