Minnesota State Wire

FOIA Request to Bemidji State University regarding University Board Member Information on October 22, 2025.

A request for public records was sent to Bemidji State University by Minnesota State Wire, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request was made under the Minnesota Data Practices Act § 13.01 et seq., seeking specific information about the University's governing board or board of trustees.

The requested records include a current list of members of the University's governing board or board of trustees, detailing each member's full name, title or position, and term of service. Additionally, the request seeks any official headshots, portraits, or photographs maintained by the University for use in official publications, directories, or on its website. Furthermore, any official biographies or biographical summaries prepared or maintained by the University are also requested. These may include those used for press releases, board directories, or public profiles.

Minnesota State Wire emphasizes its role in gathering and reporting news to the public as part of its professional responsibilities. The organization argues that access to these public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. As such, they have requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media professional.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit corporation that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found at this link.

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.