FOIA Request to Carson-Newman University Regarding Chinese National Students on May 14, 2025.
As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability in educational institutions, Smoky Mountain Today has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Carson-Newman University. Our request seeks detailed information concerning the university’s current Chinese National students.
The request includes several specific inquiries:
1. We have asked for documents or lists detailing all current students who are Chinese Nationals, along with their respective departments of study. If privacy laws restrict sharing names, we have requested a total count of these students, broken down by department.
2. We are seeking information on scholarships awarded to Chinese National students, including the amount and source of each scholarship.
3. Additionally, we have requested details on any scholarships affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council that may not be covered in the previous inquiry.
4. Lastly, we have asked for any policies or procedures that outline how the university monitors its students, including those who are Chinese Nationals, to safeguard intellectual property and other confidential information.
This request is made in collaboration with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting transparency within governmental agencies. As members of the media, we believe access to public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency for the public. Given our role in disseminating news and information, we have also requested a fee waiver as media professionals.
For more information about our efforts and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy’s mission, please visit [https://stopsecrecy.org/about/](https://stopsecrecy.org/about/).
