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Universities and colleges

Northern Michigan University Charges Student Newspaper $613 for Emails

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made by The North Wind, Northern Michigan University's (NMU) student newspaper, for emails of six administrators was met with a $613 bill. The request was deemed too expensive due to the estimated 13 hours of administrative assistant and clerical time required for examination, review, and deletion of exempt information. The university eventually reduced the cost to $300, citing "mutual cooperation." However, the newspaper board has yet to meet to discuss the expenditure.

Key Takeaways:

  • The North Wind requested emails of six NMU administrators under the state Freedom of Information Act, but was charged $613.
  • NMU's FOIA officer Gavin Leach estimated it would take 13 hours of administrative assistant and clerical time to retrieve emails, including 1.5 hours of programming time.
  • The university reduced the cost to $300 after The North Wind pared down its request and eliminated the emails of the general counsel.
  • A study by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press suggests that agencies may charge high fees to dissuade citizens from requesting information.
  • A bill proposed in the state legislature aims to decrease the cost of FOIA requests by requiring public bodies to use the most economical means available.
  • Kevin Devine, a member of the board for the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, stated that excessive costs associated with FOIA requests can create a hostile environment and be seen as a red flag.
  • Adam Marshall, the Jack Nelson Legal Fellow at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, noted that the Michigan FOIA law dictates that the employee with the lowest wage capable of doing the work must retrieve the requested document.
  • David Jesse, a higher education reporter from The Detroit Press, expressed concern over the cost of digitally retrieving emails and the possibility of inflated costs being used to delay or eliminate FOIA requests.
  • NMU's finance and administration vice president Gavin Leach stated that the university will not begin retrieving the information until a down payment of $150 is made.

Statistics:

  • $613: The original cost of the FOIA request.
  • $300: The reduced cost after The North Wind pared down its request.
  • 13 hours: The estimated time required for administrative assistant and clerical work.
  • 1.5 hours: The estimated time required for programming work.
  • $150: The required down payment for the FOIA request.

Sources:

  • Gavin Leach, Vice President of Finance and Administration
  • Kevin Devine, Member of the board for the Michigan Collegiate Press Association
  • David Jesse, Higher Education Reporter from The Detroit Press
  • Adam Marshall, Jack Nelson Legal Fellow at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
  • The North Wind, Northern Michigan University's student newspaper
  • The Detroit Press
  • Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
  • Michigan Collegiate Press Association
  • Michigan FOIA law section 15.234

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