FOIA Request to Mississippi State University regarding University Board Member Information on October 22, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by Magnolia State News to Mississippi State University on October 22, 2025. The request seeks specific records under the Mississippi Public Records Act ยง 25-61-1 et seq., with a preference for receiving these documents in electronic format.
The requested information includes a current list of members of the University’s governing board or board of trustees. This list should detail each member’s full name, title or position, and term of service. Additionally, the request asks for any official headshots, portraits, or photographs maintained by the University that are used in official publications, directories, or on the University’s website. Furthermore, any official biographies or biographical summaries prepared or maintained by the University are also requested. These could include those used for press releases, board directories, or public profiles.
Magnolia State News emphasizes its role in gathering and reporting news to the public as part of its professional responsibilities. The organization asserts that access to these public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. As such, they have requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media professional.
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.
