FOIA Request to University of Maryland College Park regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the University of Maryland College Park by Montgomery News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request seeks information under the Maryland Public Information Act Title 4, specifically concerning Chinese National students at the university.
The request outlines four specific inquiries:
1. Documents or lists showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If such information is protected, the request asks for the total number of current Chinese National students at the university, broken down by department.
2. Documents or lists detailing all current Chinese National students, including the amount and source of each scholarship they receive.
3. A list of recipients of any scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council. If this information overlaps with request #2, clarification is sought on which scholarships would satisfy this inquiry.
4. Policies or procedures describing how the university monitors students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect its Intellectual Property and other confidential information.
The request emphasizes that access to public records is essential for media professionals to fulfill their responsibilities in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. The requester also mentions affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization assisting media companies in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests.
Montgomery News looks forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in reporting efforts. As always, they remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.
