Freedom of Information FAQs
The Student Press Law Center answers your most frequently asked questions about open records and open meetings.
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Behind closed doors
Public access advocates have pushed back against university governing boards’ closed-door meetings, resulting in legal action.
Connecticut joins consensus that school security videos are not confidential FERPA records
Connecticut has joined at least two other states in ruling that school surveillance videos can be released as public records without violating the federal FERPA privacy statute. The ruling is a win for common sense and a setback for the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA literalism.
Bill could increase transparency on U. Connecticut Foundation spending
House Bill 5054 was pre-filed by Rep. Gail Lavielle on Wednesday, and if passed, would require the UConn Foundation to disclose to the public every expenditure they make, the same disclosure requirements as government agencies.
New York Times resubmits request for public records on University of Oregon sexual misconduct case after previous records were heavily redacted
A local prosecutor has declined an appeal from The New York Times seeking to compel the University of Oregon to turn over complete public records about a sexual misconduct investigation involving three UO men’s basketball players, prompting the newspaper to submit a new request.
Know Your Rights: Freedom of Information
Some of the most frequently asked questions about access to records and meetings.
Are governments with stronger FOI laws also more corrupt? A new study challenges “good government” assumptions.
Does a well-enforced freedom-of-information law lead to more honest government?Intuition says “of course,” but a newly released study by a University of Missouri researcher challenges that assumption.Doctoral student Edson C.
November 2014 podcast: Students uncover risks of being undercover drug informants
Eric Bosco and Steve Fox of the University of Massachusetts Amherst discuss a class project investigating police officers’ use of college students as undercover drug informants, which sometimes ends with tragic consequences. Frank LoMonte: Hi everyone and welcome to another installment of the Student Press Law Center’s monthly podcast. I’m Frank LoMonte, executive director of… Continue reading November 2014 podcast: Students uncover risks of being undercover drug informants
Supreme Court hears arguments in out-of-state FOI case
Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in McBurney v. Young, a case involving out-of-state public records requests.
Grant will help Otterbein student journalists challenge limited access to campus police records
A year ago, Jordan Bradley detailed in the SPLC Report how student journalists at Otterbein University have had difficulty gaining access to campus police reports.The troubles started in 2011, when the Ohio school’s security team was converted into a commissioned police force, said Hillary Warren, who advises The Tan & Cardinal. Then, campus police began responding to incidents that city police once handled. At first, campus police didn’t release any records, even those required under the Jeanne Clery Act, Warren told us.
