Yellowhammer Times

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Shelton State Community College by Yellowhammer Times, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs. The request seeks access to several records under the Alabama Open Records Law § 36-12-40 et seq., specifically requesting the information in electronic format.

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 its website. Furthermore, it seeks any official biographies or biographical summaries prepared or maintained by the University that are used for press releases, board directories, or public profiles.

The requester emphasizes their role as a member of the media in gathering and reporting news to the public. They argue that access to these public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency. Given their professional responsibilities and affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization aiding media companies in investigating governmental agencies—they believe they qualify for a fee waiver.

For more information about The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy and its mission to promote transparency in government actions, visit this link.

Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.