College of Medicine issues, concerns spark several FOIA requests
At least three groups have filed Freedom of Information Act requests asking for information on the details of the College of Medicine.
The Central Michigan University Faculty Association, Academic Senate and Central Michigan Life have not received their requests.
On Monday, General Counsel Manuel Rupe received one request from the Academic Senate and three from the Faculty Association, Director of Public Relations Steve Smith said.
CM Life also sent a request on Oct. 24, and received a response requesting an extension. A-Senate Chairman Jim McDonald sent the request on behalf of the A-Senate. He said he requested the original application for CMED’s accreditation, information regarding CMED’s finances and the upcoming Liaison Committee on Medical Education visit to campus Sunday.
McDonald had tried to reach University President George Ross and Ernest Yoder, founding dean of CMED, but had not received a response.
McDonald then contacted LCME and received an answer within 24 hours.
The university’s continued lack of open communication on the matter, McDonald said, is exactly the reason why the FOIA requests were necessary.
“I feel like I have had to do it all on my own,” he said. “They have not been forthcoming with requests for information.”
By law, the university must respond to a FOIA request within five business days.
CMU can request a time extension or a clarification on the material, but it cannot withhold the information without legitimate reason for longer than 10 days.
Smith said he did not know why the information was not already online for the public.
FA President Laura Frey said she originally sent the FOIA request on Oct. 26, and received a response requesting for a more clear response. On Monday, she sent two FOIA requests, one for information on selfstudy data, finances and budget issues, the other requesting a five-year plan for CMED.
“My hope would be (the university) follow their ethical obligation and provide the documents to the FOIA request in a prompt and reasonable time frame,” Frey said.
The general counsel has until Tuesday to answer the FA, A-Senate and CM Life’s requests.
“This extension is being taken because the University submitted one 4-inch and two 3-inch binders to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education consisting of an estimated couple thousand pages,” Rupe said in a letter to CM Life explaining the need for more time.
CM Life’s FOIA designates the want for any documents regarding the institutional setting, faculty and educational resources of CMED.
“I hand-delivered them to general counsel for efficiency,” Frey said. “They can’t say they didn’t get them.”
Rupe was unavailable for comment and calls to Yoder were directed to Smith.
