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UD, DSU transparency bills return

Delaware Public Media

Open government advocates are renewing their fight to make Delaware’s universities more transparent.

Rep. John Kowalko (D-Newark South) introduced legislation that would require the University of Delaware and Delaware State University to fully comply with the state’s Freedom of Information Act – including their Board of Trustees.Last year, UD got nearly $115 million from the state, while DSU got about $35 million. Under current state law, they’re supposed to respond to public records requests when using taxpayer money.

But Kowalko says university leadership needs to be more transparent.

“These decisions are made in a vacuum," Kowalko said.

"The Board of Trustees of the University of Delaware goes behind closed doors, makes the decision and comes out on the floor to vote. That’s not good enough.”

A similar bill from Kowalko was gutted last year and amended to restate what was already required of both universities in existing state code.

Over the past few months, he has publicly sparred with leadership, which attempted to block the bill last year prior to the amendment, but he says he’s not expecting any procedural meddling this time.

“I have that respect for my leaders that they will not use any kind of mechanics or mechanism to stall any legislation.”

DSU officials say they have no commend, while a UD spokeswoman says the bill “could have a harmful impact,” citing fundraising and intellectual property concerns.

The House Administration Committee will consider the bill first.