FOIA Request to Illinois State University regarding recent course syllabi on August 6, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by McLean County Times to Illinois State University on August 6, 2025. The request seeks a comprehensive list of course syllabi for all undergraduate and graduate courses offered during the Spring 2025 academic semester. This includes syllabi for courses across all departments, schools, and colleges, regardless of whether they were offered in-person, online, or in hybrid formats.
The request specifically asks for relevant metadata associated with each course syllabus. This includes the course title and number, instructor name, department or academic unit, and the course delivery format (online/in-person/hybrid). The requester has emphasized a preference for receiving this information in an electronic format.
The McLean County Times is a media organization dedicated to providing accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of their journalistic duties, they seek access to public records to ensure transparency and accountability from public institutions. In light of their role in disseminating information to the public, they have requested a fee waiver as media professionals.
Additionally, the requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests. More information about this coalition can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
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.
