DFW's evaluations at ISU
| Submitted | Dec. 9, 2013 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Conor Skelding
To Whom It May Concern:
Persuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 to 11), I hereby request the following records:
Copies of all of David Foster Wallace's course evaluations submitted by students—both statistical results and student comments—sorted by date. I seek evaluations submitted by both graduate and undergraduate students, as well as the titles of each course. I also seek any evaluations of Wallace submitted by fellow faculty, and any promotion or tenure evaluations regarding Wallace. (Wallace was a member of the faculty of ISU's College of Arts and Sciences' Department of English from 1993-2002).
That Wallace taught graduate and undergraduate courses at for ISU is published here: http://cas.illinoisstate.edu/sites/casnews/2008/10/27/english-department-to-honor-david-foster-wallace/
That ISU students provide comments in their evaluations is published here: http://cas.illinoisstate.edu/sites/casnews/2011/01/24/2943/
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Conor Skelding
From: Jay R. Groves
December 11, 2013
Conor Skelding
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 9479
PO Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819
Re: Illinois Freedom of Information Act Request
Dear Mr. Skelding:
Thank you for writing to Illinois State University with your request for information pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq. On December 9, 2013, we received your request for copies of all of David Foster Wallace's course evaluations submitted by both graduate and undergraduate students, as well as the titles of each course.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, a public body may extend the time to respond to a FOIA request by up to five (5) business days for a limited number of reasons (5 ILCs 140/3(d). We are extending the time to respond to your request by five (5) business days for the following reason: the request requires the collection of a substantial number of specified records (5 ILCS 140/3(e)(ii).
We will respond to your request on or before January 2, 2014.
Sincerely,
Jay R. Groves
Assistant to the President
Freedom of Information Act Officer
From: Jay R. Groves
December 18, 2013
Conor Skelding
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 8930
PO Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819
requests@muckrock.com
Re: Freedom of Information Act Request
Dear Mr. Skelding:
Thank you for your request for information pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). On
December 9, 2013, you requested:
Copies of all of David Foster Wallace's course evaluations submitted by students-both statistical results and student comments-sorted by date. I seek evaluations submitted by both graduate and undergraduate students, as well as the titles of each course. I also seek any evaluations of Wallace submitted by fellow faculty, and any promotion or tenure evaluations regarding Wallace. (Wallace was a member of the faculty of ISU's College of Arts and Sciences' Department of English from 1993-2002).
Your request is denied. The University no longer has any student evaluations for this faculty member. In addition, information prohibited from being disclosed by the Personnel Records Review Act are exempt from disclosure (5 ILCS 140/7.5(q). The Personnel Records Review Act (820 ILCS 40/11) states:
This Act shall not be construed to diminish a right of access to records already otherwise provided by law, provided that disclosure of performance evaluations under the Freedom of Information Act shall be prohibited. (emphasis added)
Therefore, evaluations "submitted by fellow faculty, and any promotion or tenure evaluations" are exempt from disclosure under both FOIA and the Personnel Records Review Act.
You have a right to have the denial of your request reviewed by the PAC at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General (5 ILCS 140/9.5(a)). You may file your Request for Review with the PAC by writing to: Public Access Counselor, Office of the Attorney General, 500 South 2nd Street, Springfield, IL 62706, fax: 217-782-1396 (e-mail: publicaccess@atg.state.il.us<mailto:publicaccess@atg.state.il.us>).
You also have the right to seek judicial review of your denial by filing a lawsuit in the State circuit court (5 ILCS 140/11).
If you choose to file a Request for Review with the PAC, you must do so within 60 calendar days of the date of this denial letter (5 ILCS 140/9.5(a)). Please note that you must include a copy of your original FOIA request and this denial letter when filing a Request for Review with the PAC.
Sincerely,
Jay R. Groves
Public Records Officer
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