DENVER—Rep. Mike Coffman said Thursday the Air Force Academy should release details of its most recent survey of cadets’ attitudes about the atmosphere at the school, saying the public has a right to know the results.
The academy last month released a summary but no specifics from the voluntary, anonymous survey, which was conducted in December and January.
Lt. Gen. Michael Gould, the academy superintendent, has said he could do a better job correcting problems and building on progress by working with the results internally rather than by making them public.
“I’m deeply disappointed” by that decision, said Coffman, R-Colo., a retired Marine who sits on the House Armed Services Committee. “I think that the American people have every right to that information, and I fail to see how the Air Force Academy can keep this from them.”
An academy spokesman didn’t immediately return a call Thursday.
Coffman said if the survey revealed confidential information about individuals, it should be kept private, but because the survey was anonymous, that’s not an issue.
He cited “a disturbing pattern” among some military leaders who appear to believe they have complete discretion about what information they make public.
Coffman said some matters should be kept secret, including national security issues, contract negotiations and discussions about lawsuits.
“But beyond that, in my view, they have no right to withhold information that the taxpayers of this country paid for,” he said.
Coffman said he planned to write academy leaders urging them to release the survey results.
The academy has said it is reviewing requests for survey details submitted by The Associated Press and others under the federal Freedom of Information Act.
The school’s summary said the survey found that cadets are more tolerant of different groups and fewer complained of unwanted religious proselytizing than in previous years. It said fewer cadets were willing to report harassment or discrimination, and some feared being ostracized if they did.
