Waterloo Times

FOIA Request to University of Northern Iowa regarding recent course syllabi on August 6, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by the Waterloo Times to the University of Northern Iowa on August 6, 2025. The request seeks access to a comprehensive 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 within the university, regardless of whether the courses were conducted in-person, online, or through hybrid formats.

The request also specifies that any relevant metadata should be included. This metadata encompasses details such as the course title and number, instructor name, department or academic unit, and the delivery format of each course. The request emphasizes a preference for receiving this information in an electronic format.

The Waterloo Times is seeking this information under the Iowa Open Records Law § 22.1 et seq., which allows for public access to government records. As a media organization dedicated to reporting news and holding public institutions accountable, they have requested a fee waiver based on their role in disseminating information to the public.

Additionally, it is noted that the requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization 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 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.