FOIA Request to University of Massachusetts Dartmouth regarding recent course syllabi on August 6, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth by a representative from Bristol Reporter. The request, sent on August 6, 2025, seeks access to records under the Massachusetts Public Records Act § 66-10 et seq. Specifically, the request asks for a complete list of course syllabi for all undergraduate and graduate courses offered during the Spring 2025 academic semester. This includes syllabi for courses across all departments, schools, and colleges at the university, regardless of whether they were offered in-person, online, or in hybrid formats.
The request also asks for relevant metadata associated with each course syllabus. This metadata includes the course title and number, instructor name, department or academic unit responsible for the course, and the delivery format (online/in-person/hybrid).
The requester is affiliated with Bristol Reporter and emphasizes their 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 as a media professional. Additionally, it is noted that the requester is part of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests.
We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.
