A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the North Dakota University System regarding state university employees' salaries on November 14, 2024.
The request was made by Peace Garden News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. Under the North Dakota Open Records Statute, N.D.C.C. §44-04-18 et seq., we sought access to a list of all university employees' compensation details in an electronic format.
The specific information requested includes each employee's name, title, university name, employment type, and compensation amount. This request extends not only to universities but also encompasses community colleges within the state.
As members of the media committed to gathering and reporting news to the public, we underscored that access to such public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In light of our role in disseminating information, we expressed our belief that we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals. We are awaiting a response from the North Dakota University System and will continue to strive for transparency in our reporting efforts.
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