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CASE UPDATE: On October 19th, 2023 the Cout of Appeals upheld the Court of Claims in all matters in an unpublished opinion.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