From today's News-Gazette:
White defended the university's commitment to openness and its record on FOIA requests, but also promised to do better.
"The general principle is, we do our business not only in the open but in the sunshine," he said.
Rose said in one case, UI student Paul Schmitt – elected last week as the new Urbana student trustee – was told his request for correspondence between "officers and agents" of the university and the NCAA was unduly burdensome because it didn't specify what an officer or agent was.
"At best that's a slap in the face to the kid who filed it. At worst you're trying not to disclose something," Rose said.
In another case, a television reporter requested information on utility budget shortfalls at the UI months ago, but Rose said most of her request was denied. The UI said internal audits are exempt from FOIA disclosure.
Last week a state audit reported on those deficits, which grew to $117 million over four years. Rose said the UI should have disclosed the information when asked, rather than wait for a state audit, because it now appears the UI hid behind the audit as a "shield."
I guess the only comment I can make is ,why should they behave any differently than almost all of the other government agencies,,,,elected or other wise in this county. Getting the truth out of any of them is like trying to pull the teeth on a shark, and yes I will go out on a limb and state I think they all have alot to hide,,,,,so much so some of them are afraid the public might finally actaully demand our elected officials do something about it, instead of aid and abet it as they have always done.
"...why should they behave any differently than almost all of the other government agencies..."
Uh, because not only is it the law, but it's the right thing to do?
To say any government agency should not be held accountable because other government agencies do not comply is letting everyone off too easily.
As the article pointed out.... the Illinois Legislature is imune from FOIA requests. While I believe that the U of I was wrong in this matter, the folks in Springpatch had first better make sure that the law applies to them.
ANON,,,my point exactly, it is the law ,but everyone else is getting away with it ,,,why should not the U of I think it can? Rose made his point,,,,,,,,but what can he really do about it,,,not a thing. no power.
I think the U of I should start a pilot project - waste incernation/power creation.
Reduces landfill needs, while producing power at the same time.
Even if the law doesn't compell them to turn over documents, the U of I should. Richard Herman cares more about public relations, and specifically his public perception than anything else, including transparency, and the objective performance of the university, his management, and his ability to effectively serve the people of illinois.
The university of illinois should never have anything to hide. any internal audits, expenditures, etc, should be publicly accessible. Chapin, you wanna get him back, create a transparancy in educational administration act. Be sure to check on how much he spent decorating his office and remodeling the administration building.
UI does not follow the spirit of the FOIA, in my response. They tend to evade, sidestep, and avoid. They also make excessively frequent use of the, "that's too broad" response.
"in my response"
I meant, "in my experience". Pardon my brain misfire.
I agree some people that run the U of I in my experience seem to feel that it makes its own rules. That is why Blago and others don't want to work with them and it has hurt their budget.
How much do the Chancellor and Provost spend to remodel their offices?
Can anyone find out?
How about Chapin Rose, can he initiate an inquiry on this question?
The utility deficit is why Lyle Wachtel who was in charge of UI utilities left and why Steve Rugg was forced to retire by President White. Both of them were scape goats...
I was wondering if anyone would catch that reference to the utility budget stuff.
There have been rumors about this for almost a year.