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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.
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Somehow, all of the under qualified students ended up in the sections where I was the Instructor. What are the odds?
This is also about as surprising as the H.S. Yearbook photos with the kid and the beer can. Who could have possibly known that HS kids get beer and pols get the moron kids of their contributors into schools?
Im not saying this makes it right, but this activity goes on at virtually EVERY university, public or private.
Really, how did G.W. Bush get into Harvard Business School?
Im sure it was on the name of his father. But what makes the difference in my mind is Yale is a private institution...they can do whatever they want as far as Im concerned (although it diminishes their reputation all the same). But a public, tax-payer funded institution is a completely different ballgame.
Legacy and clout enrollment going on at a university? Say it ain't so!
While the stereotypical ivy league b.s. is an apt comparison, its my opinion that this kind of activities should NOT be occurring at a state school. Everyone knows (or suspects) that Harvard and Yale and Northwestern, etc. have corrupt admissions practices, but that kind of preferential treatment should not be allowed at a taxpayer-based institution.
Unless, of course, the kid can play football.
This would never happen at the University of New Mexico. Everyone's a Lobo, Woof Woof Woof!