FOIA Request to University of Southern Maine regarding Chinese National students on June 16, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the University of Southern Maine by Portland Maine News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request seeks detailed information about Chinese National students currently enrolled at the university.
The request outlines four specific areas of interest. Firstly, it asks for documents or lists showing all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If privacy concerns prevent sharing names, the requester has asked for a total count of such students broken down by department.
Secondly, the request seeks information on scholarships received by these students, including the amount and source of each scholarship. Thirdly, it inquires specifically about scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council and requests identification of any recipients if not already covered in the previous point.
Lastly, the FOIA request asks for any policies or procedures that describe how the university monitors its students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect intellectual property and other confidential information.
Portland Maine News is requesting this information under the Maine Freedom of Access Act § 402 et seq., preferably in electronic format. The organization emphasizes its role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. Additionally, they have requested a fee waiver as they qualify as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news to the public.
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.
