West Michigan managers travel records come with a cost

Western Michigan University is requesting $860.73 for travel and expense records for senior administrators.

Why is it important? Michigan colleges routinely fight to keep secret spending records, presidential searches or coaching hires, writes ML Elrich of the Free Press.

what’s happening: WMU accepted Axios’ request for the records of President Edward Montgomery and Vice President of Marketing Tony Proudfoot, but not without a hefty fee.

• When the university is responsible Two executive assistants By buying the president’s archives, Proudfoot argues, he would have access to his own archives, which would greatly increase the value.
• Proudfoot earns $177.84 an hour, which means his two hours of work cost him $355.68 — the combined amount for the two employees tasked with compiling Montgomery’s records.

What they say: When asked why one of the subjects of the inquiry, Proudfoot, was involved in accessing the records, a university spokesman said: “He is in the best position to review the records since his tenure.”

• WMU also prompted Axios to initiate action in the Michigan Claims Court to seek a reduction in fees if it is believed to be higher than allowed under state law or its FOIA policy.
• It must come within the next 45 days to initiate that action.

What’s next: The information contributes to the public’s understanding of the activities and functions of the public institution, Axios filed a public interest charge.