Brechner Director David Cuillier decries University of Michigan FOI delays
Brechner Freedom of Information Project Director David Cuillier said the University of Michigan should be more responsive in providing records to people by the state-imposed deadline.
Cuillier was quoted this week in an article by The College Fix about the university failing to release public records tied to a fall 2024 course taught by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The journalists requested a syllabus and other records in September and still haven’t received them.
“They should have provided the information by now—at the very least, the syllabus,” Cuillier told The College Fix. “This clearly exceeds the timeframes outlined in Michigan law.”
The university initially promised records by late October but has issued multiple delay notices since, citing an “unprecedented backlog” in its FOI office.
While FOIA backlogs are not uncommon at large institutions, Cuillier noted that the law requires agencies to respond within five business days, with only one allowable 10-day extension. He emphasized that compliance is still mandatory, regardless of staffing or workload issues.
“If it’s just the syllabus, it shouldn’t take more than a few days. Easy-peasy,” he said.
Cuillier also pointed to a broader pattern of noncompliance at public institutions across the country. “They’re not the worst, but they’re clearly not doing their job.”
Posted: May 1, 2025
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Brechner FOI Project, Brechner Freedom of Information Project, Dave Cuillier, FOI, open records laws
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