FOIA Request to Baptist Health Sciences University Regarding Chinese National Students on May 14, 2025.
As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at Memphis Standard have submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Baptist Health Sciences University. The request seeks detailed information concerning the university’s Chinese National students under the Tennessee Open Records Act, §10-7-503 et seq.
Our inquiry specifically asks for documents or lists that reveal the number of current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments. If privacy concerns necessitate redaction, we have requested that the total number be provided instead. Additionally, we seek information about scholarships awarded to these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship. We are particularly interested in identifying any scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council.
Furthermore, we have requested any policies or procedures that outline how the university monitors its students, including Chinese Nationals, to safeguard intellectual property and other confidential information.
This request is made on behalf of both Memphis Standard and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy. As media professionals dedicated to transparency and accountability in public institutions, access to such records is vital for fulfilling our role in informing the public. Given our position within the media landscape, we believe this qualifies us for a fee waiver associated with processing this request.
For more information about The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy and its mission to enhance governmental transparency through investigative efforts leveraging Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws, please visit [https://stopsecrecy.org/about/](https://stopsecrecy.org/about/).
