FOIA Request to Missouri State University regarding recent course syllabi on August 6, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Missouri State University by Springfield Standard, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request, sent on August 6, 2025, seeks access to the complete list of course syllabi for all undergraduate and graduate courses offered during the Spring 2025 academic semester. This includes syllabi from all departments, schools, and colleges, regardless of whether the courses were conducted in-person, online, or in hybrid formats.
The request specifically asks for relevant metadata associated with each syllabus. This includes the course title and number, instructor name, department or academic unit, and the course delivery format. The information is requested under the Missouri Sunshine Law § 610.023 et seq., with a preference for receiving it in electronic format.
Springfield Standard emphasizes its role in gathering and reporting news to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public. As such, they have requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media professional. Additionally, Springfield Standard is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests.
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.
