FOIA Request to Fisk University Regarding Chinese National Students on May 14, 2025.
As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability in public institutions, we at the Nashville Standard have submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Fisk University. This request seeks detailed information about the university’s current Chinese National students and related policies.
The request, filed under the Tennessee Open Records Act, aims to obtain records in electronic format concerning several key areas:
1. A list or total number of current students who are Chinese Nationals, broken down by department if possible.
2. Documentation showing scholarships awarded to these students, including amounts and sources.
3. Details on any scholarships linked with the Chinese Scholarship Council.
4. Policies or procedures that outline how the university safeguards its Intellectual Property and other confidential information concerning all students, including Chinese Nationals.
This request is made in collaboration with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing transparency within governmental operations. As media professionals, access to such public records is crucial for us to fulfill our role in informing the public and holding institutions accountable.
We have also requested a fee waiver for this FOIA submission due to our role in disseminating news and providing valuable insights into public affairs. We believe that obtaining this information will contribute significantly to understanding how educational institutions manage international student affairs and protect sensitive information.
For further details about our mission and work with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, please visit [stopsecrecy.org](https://stopsecrecy.org/about/).
