A FOIA request was sent to Johnson University regarding Chinese National students on May 14, 2025. As representatives of Knox Times, we are committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. Our request seeks specific records under the Tennessee Open Records Act, §10-7-503 et seq., preferably in electronic format.
The request includes several key points:
1. We are asking for documents or lists that show all current students who are Chinese Nationals and their respective departments of study. If certain information is protected, we request the total number of such students and a breakdown by department.
2. We seek documents or lists detailing the scholarships received by current Chinese National students, including the amount and source of each scholarship.
3. Additionally, we request information about any scholarship recipients affiliated with the Chinese Scholarship Council. If this overlaps with our second request, we ask for clarification on which scholarships satisfy this inquiry.
4. Lastly, we are interested in any policies or procedures describing how the university monitors students, including Chinese Nationals, to protect its Intellectual Property and other confidential information.
This request is made on behalf of Knox Times and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy. As members of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities—holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we qualify for a fee waiver as media professionals.
The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Missouri Corporation that assists news media companies, publications, and public advocacy groups in investigating state and federal governmental agencies. It leverages Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws to reveal government actions and help inform the American electorate. For more information about our coalition partner’s mission, please visit [https://stopsecrecy.org/about/](https://stopsecrecy.org/about/).
