 The commission, assembled to look into the university's practice,
also heard from University of Illinois Associate Dean Mary
Ramsbottom, who said she originally thought the so-called Category I
list was a tracking system.She said she tried to put applicants
on the list for later review but was told she didn't have the
authority.
College admissions consultant Stephen Portch told the panel he
was surprised "by the sheer volume and the formalization of a system
to handle" applicants promoted by politicians. The former University
System of Georgia chancellor said a conflict of interest policy that
follows standard ethical practices should be developed for trustees
and others.
"A board member should realize that high levels of contact
regarding admissions and/or business transactions and/or other
things where they're trying to influence something other than policy
is inappropriate," Portch said.
Chancellor Richard Herman has said the clout list has existed for
years but that he felt he couldn't refuse applicant recommendations
from trustees, namely former board chairman Lawrence Eppley, who
often recommended students on behalf of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Members of the commission, which is due to issue a report next
month, told Portch they've been discussing the recommendation of an
inspector general of higher education position. Portch said
institutions are increasingly agreeing to a third-party overseer but
that it's important the position be structured carefully.
The commission was assembled by Gov. Pat Quinn in June after the
Chicago Tribune revealed the existence of a list kept by the school
of politically connected students favored by lawmakers and trustees.
The list has since been suspended.
[to top of second column] |
On Monday, Ramsbottom explained her involvement with admissions
cases that have been revealed through e-mails obtained through the
Freedom of Information Act. One student "dropped out of the sky" on
the first day of school, without any record of him in the system.
She was told it was a Category I student and she should enroll him
in classes.
The commission questioned Ramsbottom intensively about her
knowledge on the list, athletics admissions and the Division of
General Studies -- a division for non-declared majors that has been
mentioned in e-mails about Category I students.
"DGS students are often multitalented, multi-interested students
that are not degenerate in any way," Ramsbottom said.
Joyce Smith, executive director of the National Association of
College Admissions Counseling, also testified and said the
university's list is "about power and power relations." But she said
her organization isn't investigating any complaints against the
school.
[Associated Press]
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