Holland Reporter

FOIA Request to Grand Valley State University regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Grand Valley State University by Holland Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request seeks information under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.231 et seq., with a preference for electronic format delivery.

The request outlines several specific inquiries:

1. Documents or lists showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals, including their department of study. If this information is protected, the request asks for the total number of such students and a breakdown by department.

2. Documents or lists detailing scholarships received by current Chinese National students, including the amount and source of each scholarship.

3. A list of recipients of any scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council, unless this information is already included in the second request.

4. Policies or procedures that describe how the university monitors students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect its Intellectual Property and other confidential information.

The FOIA request emphasizes that if certain student information is protected, redaction is acceptable. Additionally, it suggests grouping data where feasible to avoid unnecessary burdens while maintaining informational integrity.

This request is made on behalf of Holland Reporter and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization assisting media companies in investigating government agencies through Freedom of Information laws. The requester also seeks a fee waiver based on their role as a media professional involved in public news dissemination.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.