FOIA Request to Southwest Minnesota State University regarding University Board Member Information on October 22, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Southwest Minnesota State University by a representative from the Minnesota State Wire. The request, dated October 22, 2025, seeks specific records related to the University’s governing board or board of trustees. The requested information includes a current list of board members with their full names, titles or positions, and terms of service. Additionally, the request asks for any official headshots or photographs maintained by the University for use in publications or on its website. Official biographies or biographical summaries prepared by the University are also sought as part of this inquiry.
The requestor emphasized the importance of accessing these public records to fulfill professional responsibilities related to news gathering and reporting. The individual highlighted their role in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Furthermore, they requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media professional.
The email noted that the requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
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.
