U. of I. trustees used clout list (Chicago Way)

Chicago Tribune ^ | 6-21-09 | Robert Becker, Tara Malone, Jodi S. Cohen

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Board members backed applicants nearly 100 times in last 3 years

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In September 2006, the dean of the University of Illinois' law school e-mailed a colleague in admissions to say that a U. of I. trustee had "just called me about getting his [relative] into law school here next year."

*snip*

"Needless to say, this one takes velvet gloves," Hurd wrote, public records show. Schmidt's relative was admitted.

*snip*

Yet several of the trustees charged with fixing the system were among its most frequent users.

Newly obtained records reveal nearly 100 instances where trustees backed applicants in the last three years alone, including their relatives and the children of colleagues and "key employees."

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A Chicago Tribune investigation has revealed that more than 800 applicants were flagged for special treatment at the Urbana-Champaign campus between 2003 and 2008.

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The nine-member board of trustees -- all but one appointed or reappointed by then- Gov. Rod Blagojevich -- is tied to a political system that thrives on patronage.

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~~~Chicago Crime Town ............ PING!

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How about Clout U.?
June 21, 2009

Excerpt:

University of Illinois President B. Joseph White thinks it’s a cheap shot for us to call his school “Rezko U.” Federal prosecutors apparently don’t.

U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald wants to see records of communication between campus officials and ex- Gov. Rod Blagojevich or his cronies — Antoin “Tony” Rezko, William Cellini, Chris Kelly and Alonzo “Lon” Monk — related to applications for admission to the university.

Rezko is in prison for taking kickbacks in exchange for state contracts;

*snip*

The subpoena follows a Tribune report that one of Rezko’s relatives got into the U. of I. after Blagojevich asked White to intervene. Never mind that the applicant’s ACT score was “pretty low,” to quote the admissions official who got big-footed on the deal.

After much sober reflection, though, we’re beginning to wonder if the name “Rezko U.” really is unfair — to Rezko. Why single him out? The Tribune investigation found that more than 100 current and former lawmakers used their political muscle to give applicants an edge.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0621edit2jun21,0,4153194.story

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U of I explains secret clout list
May 29, 2009

Excerpt:

The University of Illinois scrambled today to explain how politically connected applicants with less-than-stellar resumes gained entry into the school over more qualified students.

University President Joseph White said he plans to make clear to employees that no one should feel pressured to admit prospective students because anyone with political clout takes an interest.

The university, considered one of the top public universities in the country, keeps a little-known list of applicants tracked by politicians and university trustees, dubbed the “Category I List.’’

http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1598378,w-university-illinois-scandal-052909.article

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U of I kept secret clout list
May 28, 2009

Excerpt:

The state’s flagship school, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, maintains a secret list of student applicants backed with clout, a “Category I List’’ of relatives and friends of politicians, trustees and senior administrators.

One of the politicians who sought to get students clouted in was former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who gave a letter of recommendation on behalf of two students to then-U. of I. Board Chairman Larry Eppley in 2005. Eppley said he gave the letter to U. of I. system president Joe White.

White said Thursday that while he passes on information about applicants to help admissions officers “make a more informed decision,” he doesn’t apply pressure. He denied intervening on behalf of unqualified students.

“I have never interceded on behalf of an applicant who was denied admission to the University of Illinois,’’ he said.

Asked if someone who was denied admission was ever admitted, a source with knowledge of the admissions process said: “I’m sure it happened.’’

The applicants on the “I List” were tracked closely through the admissions process, university officials and sources said. Whether the applicants were admitted, deferred or denied was then relayed back to the official who made the inquiry in the first place.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1597718,uofi-clout-list-052909.article

[Cicero]

Oddly enough, while I don’t approve of this, I do think that allowing “influence” as one factor in admission policy is not as destructive as “affirmative action.”

In the old days, the children of the rich and privilege were favored. That was unjust, but it had a certain practicality, since these children would grow up taking important positions, so it was better that they should be well educated than not.

I suppose that also applies to a councilman’s nephew. If he’s going to be given an important job anyway, it would be better for all concerned if he got a decent education.

I’m not saying that this is ideal, but it actually makes more sense than well-intended affirmative action, which continues to support racism and often ends up putting completely incapable and resentful people into important positions.

In a perfect world, there would be no political patronage and no preferential treatment. And there’s nothing wrong with trying to expose and fight it. Just an observation on the realities of life in a fallen world.