University of Clout

By Marcus Gilmer in News on May 29, 2009 6:20PM

The controversy over clout is getting even deeper these days. Today, the Tribune published the results of its investigation into a "clout list" at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It seems that students with certain power connections - like Tony Rezko - have circumvented admission requirements and received special consideration in being accepted to the school. The Trib sifted through 1,800 pages of documents in their investigation, which revealed, among other things:

• University officials recognized that certain students were underqualified -- but admitted them anyway.
• Admissions officers complained in vain as their recommendations were overruled.
• Trustees pushed for preferred students, some of whom were friends, neighbors and relatives.
• Lawmakers delivered admission requests to U. of I. lobbyists, whose jobs depend on pleasing the lawmakers.
• University officials delayed admissions notifications to weak candidates until the end of the school year to minimize the fallout at top feeder high schools.

Be sure to head over to the Trib for the lengthy but worthwhile read.