FOIA Request to University Of Maine at Augusta regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the University Of Maine at Augusta by River Valley Today, a media organization focused on providing accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request, sent under the Maine Freedom of Access Act § 402 et seq., seeks specific records related to Chinese National students currently enrolled at the university.
The request comprises several detailed points. Firstly, it asks for documents or lists that show all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If such information is protected, the requester asks for a total number of these students broken down by department.
Secondly, the request seeks information about scholarships received by these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship. Additionally, there is a specific interest in identifying any scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council.
Thirdly, the FOIA request asks for any policies or procedures detailing how the university monitors its students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect intellectual property and other confidential information.
River Valley Today has requested this information preferably in electronic format and has also applied for a fee waiver due to their role as a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. The request is made on behalf of both River Valley Today and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, which supports transparency in government actions.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
