Metro East Sun

FOIA Request to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 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 have submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. This request seeks detailed information about the university's current Chinese National students and related policies.

Our request includes several specific inquiries:

1. We are seeking documents or lists that identify all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If this information is protected, we have requested the total number of such students and a breakdown by department.

2. We have asked for records detailing the scholarships received by these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship.

3. Additionally, we seek information on any scholarships granted by entities affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council, requesting clarification if this overlaps with our previous inquiry.

4. Finally, we are interested in any university policies or procedures concerning the monitoring of students—specifically Chinese Nationals—to safeguard intellectual property and confidential information.

This request is made on behalf of Metro East Sun and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy. As members of the media dedicated to transparency and accountability in public institutions, access to these records is vital for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. We believe that as media professionals involved in disseminating information to the public, we qualify for a fee waiver under FOIA provisions.

For more details about The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy and its mission to enhance governmental transparency through Freedom of Information laws, please visit [stopsecrecy.org](https://stopsecrecy.org/about/).