FOIA Request to Kent State University at Geauga regarding employee compensation data for Fiscal Year 2025 on December 2, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Kent State University at Geauga seeking detailed records on employee compensation for the fiscal year 2025. The request was made under the Ohio Open Records Law, §149.43 et seq., by Buckeye Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The requested records include various data fields such as employee names, gender, age or year of birth (if not exempt), date of birth (if not exempt or limited to month/year), employer name, job title or position, hire date, compensation amount (including base pay and any additional pay), compensation type (e.g., salary, hourly, stipend, bonus), and employment type (full-time or part-time). The information is sought in an electronic format to facilitate efficient reporting.
Buckeye Reporter emphasized the importance of accessing public records to uphold their role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. They also mentioned their eligibility for a fee waiver due to their status as a media professional. Additionally, the requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws.
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.
