FOIA Request to University of California, Santa Cruz regarding recent course syllabi on August 6, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by a representative from the Santa Cruz Standard to the University of California, Santa Cruz. The request, dated August 6, 2025, 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 for courses across all departments, schools, and colleges, irrespective of whether they were conducted in-person, online, or in hybrid formats.
The request specifies that any relevant metadata should be included with the syllabi. This metadata encompasses the course title and number, instructor name, department or academic unit, and the course delivery format. The requester emphasizes their role as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. They highlight that access to such public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.
Furthermore, the requester identifies themselves as part of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests. More information about this coalition can be found on their website here.
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.
