It is always our policy to provide the data requested in a FOIA request should that data exist and

if it is not protected by federal or state law like FERPA, HIPPA or others. We make every effort
to reply to FOIA requests within the mandated response time. However, we do not have a staff
dedicated solely to compiling those responses, most of which take significant time to research.
Many of the requests you have made bridge several organizations which further complicates the
process. USC, its affiliated foundations and alumni association are not a monolithic entity with
unified data systems. In fact, we are required to operate as separate non-profits.

Furthermore, you are not the only one making requests—although you certainly have
accumulated the most of any individual in your short time at The State. We receive hundreds of
requests from media, research firms and members of the general public each year. We reply to
requests as staff or faculty are able to gather responsive documents in the course of their
primary job responsibilities—education, student support, institutional strategic priorities—and
our General Counsel’s office is able to review those documents for protected data.

Wes Hickman
Chief Communications Officer
University of South Carolina
8/22/2018