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Suing Michigan State University For Documents Related To Controversial Firing

The Mackinac Center paid over $500 and waited over five months for a public records request sent to Michigan State University. The university estimated that the request would take approximately 17 hours to complete, but has yet to provide the public documents.

CASE UPDATE: On October 19th, 2023 the Cout of Appeals upheld the Court of Claims in all matters in an unpublished opinion.

Case summary | Documents & Timeline

Case summary

In June, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy filed a Freedom of Information Act request with Michigan State University, asking for any and all email correspondence relating to one of their employees. Michigan State University responded in July, estimating it would cost $230.

The university’s initial estimate said it would take approximately six weeks to complete the request, despite only requiring six hours of staff time to compile the information.

On Aug. 31, the university stated that they had underestimated the time and cost for the request. They requested an additional $250 and eight more weeks for an additional 11 work hours.

On Nov. 4, the university granted the request in part, but extended the deadline again to Dec. 5. Though all deposits have been paid, the Mackinac Center has waited almost five months for an estimated 17 hours of work.

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Documents & Timeline

June 2020

  • Initial Request by the Mackinac Center June 26, 2020

July 2020

  • Initial Response from MSU July 7, 2020

August 2020

  • First MSU Extension August 31, 2020

November 2020

  • Second MSU Extension November 4, 2020

December 2020

  • Third MSU Extension December 4, 2020

  • MSU Final Response and Documents December 23, 2020

January 2021

  • Amended Complaint January 5, 2021

November 2021

  • Combined Motion and Brief November 12, 2021

  • MSU's Brief and Exhibits November 12, 2021

  • Appendix November 12, 2021

December 2021

  • Reply in Support of MSD December 10, 2021

November 2022

  • Defense's Motion for Reconsideration November 3, 2022

  • Order November 4, 2022

  • Plaintiff's Response to Reconsideration November 13, 2022

  • MSU's Supplemental Brief November 28, 2022

December 2022

  • Opinion and Order December 12, 2022

March 2023

  • Cross-Appeal Brief March 30, 2023

  • Appendix March 30, 2023

May 2023

  • Appellant Brief on Appeal May 2, 2023

  • Appellant Appendix May 2, 2023

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