Great Lakes Wire

FOIA Request to Bay Mills Community College regarding University Board Member Information on October 22, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Bay Mills Community College by Great Lakes Wire, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs. The request seeks specific records under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.231 et seq., with a preference for electronic format delivery.

The requested records include 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 for use in official publications, directories, or on the University's website. Furthermore, any official biographies or biographical summaries prepared or maintained by the University are requested. These could include those used for press releases, board directories, or public profiles.

Great Lakes Wire emphasizes its role in gathering and reporting news to the public as part of its professional responsibilities. The organization underscores that access to public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. In light of this role and their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit assisting media companies in investigating governmental agencies—the requester believes they qualify for a fee waiver typically available to media professionals.

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.