FOIA Request to Rhodes College 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 Rhodes College. This request seeks detailed information about the presence and academic involvement of Chinese National students at the institution.
Our inquiry specifically requests records under the Tennessee Open Records Act, §10-7-503 et seq., preferably in electronic format. The requested information includes:
1. Documents or lists showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If privacy concerns arise, we have asked for a total number of such students and a breakdown by department.
2. Information on scholarships received by these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship.
3. Details on any recipients of scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council that may not be covered in the previous request.
4. Policies or procedures outlining how the university monitors students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect its Intellectual Property and other confidential information.
This request is made on behalf of Memphis Standard and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating state and federal governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. We believe access to public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency for the public.
We have also requested a fee waiver given our role as media professionals involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to this information will help us fulfill our professional responsibilities effectively.
For more information about The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, please visit [https://stopsecrecy.org/about/](https://stopsecrecy.org/about/).
