Posted on 03/17/2019 1:07:44 PM PDT by Liz
Earlier this week, news broke of an investigation into wealthy families (including actresses Lori Laughlin and Felicity Huffman) bribing test administrators and college athletics coaches to grant admission to their underqualified children; Stanfurd, UC L.A., and USC were among the schools involved.
The media circus has now roped in UC Berkeley. Initially, the story was just that David Sidoo (“a Canadian businessman, philanthropist, and former professional football player”) had paid $200,000 for someone to impersonate his two sons during the SATs, with his younger son ultimately ending up at Cal. At this point, there was no reason to hold Cal accountable as no university is responsible for vetting and verifying that all of their admitted students were the ones who truly took the tests. But then it got interesting.
ABC News discovered that Jordan Sidoo (aforementioned younger son) is listed as a member of our 2015 Men’s Rowing team. His biography is basically empty and he’s absent from the 2016 roster. See Sidoo’s Cal bio CalBears.com
According to ABC News, creeping on Jordan’s LinkedIn shows that he graduated from Cal “with a B.A. in history last year”.
In response, University of California President Janet Napolitano released this statement:
I was deeply troubled and disappointed to learn of the charges filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against several dozen individuals accused of cheating and accepting bribes to gain students’ unlawful admission to top universities, including the University of California. The allegations associated with UC, if proven true, are a disservice to the hardworking and accomplished students and alumni who have earned their place at the university and continue to make us proud.
Illegal, inappropriate and unethical means to gain admission, at the expense of deserving applicants, is antithetical to every aspect of our mission and values. As a public institution—one of the most highly regarded in the world—we are dedicated to ensuring a level playing field for every applicant.
We will take swift and appropriate disciplinary actions to address misconduct once we have all the facts. In the meantime, we: * Are investigating any individual affiliated with UC who has been implicated thus far; * Initiated a critical review of our admissions policies to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities; * Reached out to The College Board to learn more about its assessment of recent developments and any potential changes regarding the administration of SAT and ACT tests to ensure the integrity of students’ scores; * Requested the latest available information from the U.S. Attorney offices in California to guide our future proactive action; and * Are collaborating with local and federal authorities in this matter to unearth the full breadth and scope of this problem.
It is unfortunate that the unethical behavior of a few individuals colors UC’s unwavering commitment to fairness and equity. The university will seize this moment as a valuable opportunity to improve its policies and practices, while continuing to be transparent, accountable and expeditious, as this is our fundamental obligation to our students—prospective, current and alumni—as well as the public. We will uncover the full truth and make things right.
The primary mission of DHS is to prevent terrorist attacks on our nation. The document on right-wing extremism sent last week by this department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis is one in an ongoing series of assessments to provide situational awareness to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies on the phenomenon and trends of violent radicalization in the United States. I was briefed on the general topic, which is one that struck a nerve as someone personally involved in the Timothy McVeigh prosecution.
Let me be very clear: we monitor the risks of violent extremism taking root here in the United States. We don’t have the luxury of focusing our efforts on one group; we must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence.
We are on the lookout for criminal and terrorist activity but we do not – nor will we ever – monitor ideology or political beliefs. We take seriously our responsibility to protect the civil rights and liberties of the American people, including subjecting our activities to rigorous oversight from numerous internal and external sources.
I am aware of the letter from American Legion National Commander Rehbein, and my staff has already contacted him to set up a meeting next week once I return from travel. I will tell him face-to-face that we honor veterans at DHS and employ thousands across the department, up to and including the Deputy Secretary.
As the department responsible for protecting the homeland, DHS will continue to work with its state and local partners to prevent and protect against the potential threat to the United States associated with any rise in violent extremist activity. ###
Last Published Date: April 15, 2009
SOURCE: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2009/04/15/secretary-napolitanos-statement-right-wing-extremism-threat
This is what happens when you let progressives run anything.
>> Illegal, inappropriate and unethical means to gain admission <<
Isn’t California a sanctuary state? UC Berkeley should welcome these illegals.
On March 17, 2015, at a UC regents meeting at which Napolitano was present, 30 students began to protest higher tuition fees. In response to the protest, Napolitano was heard saying to UC regent Chairman Bruce Varner on the UC video stream of the meeting "Let's go, we don't have to listen to this crap".
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Napolitano
This is what happens when you let progressivesFixed.runruinanyeverything.
If they want admissions to be fair, they wouldn’t admit students to fill racial/ethnic quotas.
The America Obama despises——tarred as extremists by his admin.......including Napolitano;
alarm bells should go off when the obedient media, and lefty Democrats speak of the need to crack down on “extremism”.
Obama Declares War On ‘Extremism’ – Are You An ‘Extremist’
FR Posted 1/13/15 by seekandfind
A list of 72 types of Americans that are considered to be “extremists” or “potential terrorists” in official U.S. government documents. This list will really give you a good idea of what Barack Obama means when he uses the word “extremist”. Each of these 72 items is linked (at web site). As you can see, this list potentially includes most of the country…
OBAMA’S LIST OF EXTREMISTS AS FOUND IN OBAMA-ERA OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS: Those that talk about “individual liberties,” that advocate for states’ rights, that want “to make the world a better place,” that are interested in “defeating the Communists”
Those that believe “that the interests of one’s own nation are separate from the interests of other nations or the common interest of all nations.” Anyone that holds a “political ideology that considers the state to be unnecessary, harmful,or undesirable.” Anyone that possesses an “intolerance toward other religions.” Those that “take action to fight against the exploitation of the environment and/or animals”
“Anti-Gay,” “Anti-Immigrant,” “Anti-Muslim,”“The Patriot Movement,” “Opposition to equal rights for gays and lesbians”
Members of the Family Research Council, the American Family Association, Members of the American Border Patrol/American Patrol, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, the Tennessee Freedom Coalition, the Christian Action Network, citizens networks.
Those “opposed to the New World Order,” engaged in “conspiracy theorizing”, those that believe that Mexico, Canada and the United States “are secretly planning to merge into a European Union-like entity that will be known as the ‘North American Union’”
Anyone opposed to Agenda 21, anyone concerned about FEMA camps, that “fears impending gun control or weapons confiscations,” the militia movement, sovereign citizen movement, that “don’t think they should have to pay taxes”
Anyone that “complains about bias,” that “believes in government conspiracies, that “is frustrated with mainstream ideologies,” that “visits extremist websites/blogs,” that “establishes website/blog to display extremist views,” that “attends rallies for extremist causes,” that “exhibits extreme religious intolerance,” that is personally connected with a grievance,” that “suddenly acquires weapons,” that “organizes protests inspired by extremist ideology”
“Militia or unorganized militia,” “General right-wing extremist,” Citizens that have “bumper stickers” that are patriotic or anti-U.N., those that refer to an “Army of God,” that are “fiercely nationalistic (as opposed to universal and international in orientation),” that are “anti-global,” that are “suspicious of centralized federal authority,” that “revere individual liberty,” that “believe in conspiracy theories”
Those that have “a belief that one’s personal and/or national ‘way of life’ is under attack,” that possess “a belief in the need to be prepared for an attack either by participating in paramilitary preparations and training or survivalism,” that would “impose strict religious tenets or laws on society (fundamentalists)” that would “insert religion into the political sphere,” that would “seek to politicize religion,” that have “supported political movements for autonomy.”
Anyone that is “anti-abortion.”
Anyone that is “Rightwing” including “Returning veterans,” those concerned about “illegal immigration,” those that “believe in the right to bear arms,” anyone that is engaged in “ammunition stockpiling”
Anyone that exhibits “fear of Communist regimes” “Anti-abortion activists” those against illegal immigration, those that talk about “the New World Order” in a “derogatory” manner
Those that have a negative view of the United Nations, that are opposed “to the collection of federal income taxes,” that supported former presidential candidates Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin and Bob Barr, that display the Gadsden Flag (“Don’t Tread On Me”)
Those that believe in “end times” prophecies, including Evangelical Christians.
In the case of the UC system, add the favoritism towards foreign students who pay a hefty cost to enter the UC system. Money talks, and I'm sure many administrators and politicians benefited from letting less than qualified foreign students to enter the UC system because they paid a lot of money.
I just figured it out!
These high-priced institution is for teaching the kids communism have put them all into debt so in reality it’s their fault that all these kids think that their socialists
So here comes the Hollywood people paying lots of money so that their sweet little darlings could just get into the schools like that some lofty goal
Who cares about these stupid places they charge $80,000 now?
You can learn more just with a computer or auditing classes for free
This is a complete threat to these people
Thus you get this propaganda from the media that oh it’s such a privilege to get into the schools!
that people are willing to break the law and give them thousands of dollars ! and put fake pictures of them playing sports!
Oh don’t we wish like we could be like those Hollywood people and get our children into those schools!
that we are supposed to think
Don’t buy it
off I’m an engineer and I could learn everything I learned in both undergrad and graduate school all by myself now in about a year
Clearly the most valuable thing if you go to graduate school is to write a thesis
a real paper that’s hundreds of pages with dozens and dozens of reference is a Books that you actually read
It kills me that anybody is surprised by rich people buying influence, buying their kids into colleges that they’re too dumb to get into legitimately, buying their grades once they’re in, and buying themselves and their kids out of jail when they have a big night and go too far.
Noticing Lori’s and Felicity’s husbands are never mentioned.
“Obama’s US Dept of Homeland Security Secy Janet Napolitano...”
Beaten any conservatives on your campus this past weekend Janet?
Yeah, but doesn't Kali also have some provision that the top X% of each graduating HS class get automatic acceptance to state schools? Obviously, an attempt to "cheat" anti-discrimination laws.
I doubt the majority in that group from say, Compton or South Central LA, to pull "bad" areas out of media reports, are suited for college.
If they want to be fair, only use a number to reference the applicant. Forget all other data.
Funny that you mention that. When I was getting a master's degree in mechanical engineering, I took a Linear Systems Theory class that was so poorly taught that I had to go to MIT's open-courseware website and use their material to learn the course in parallel. You better believe that I gave my faculty advisor an earful about that clown.
This is the same instructor that lost my midterm exam and took two months to notify me that I got a B. I went into the final exam with a B, scored 85% on his final, and he notified me by e-mail that I my final grade was an F. I again complained to my faculty advisor and he called me at work to tell me to disregard that e-mail, my final grade is an A, and to call him on his cell phone immediately if the final grade on my report card comes out any different. He also asked me to not contact the instructor in any way. Weird.
My experience with that school (I'd rather not say what school) was very good except for that one instructor.
public or private school?
Father of UC Berkeley alumnus charged in college admissions scandal
clara rodas
march 13, 2019
daily cal
my daughter graduated from a top state university in a science major. She made decent grades in the classroom but not so good in the lab courses. In checking out this matter, for she has always been a good student, I learned the lab courses were all taught by graduate assistants and were all foreigners who spoke poor English. She could not understand the instructors. Checking further I learned that all of the graduate assistants were foreign - none were American. I wrote a formal complaint letter to the university , not just for my daughter, but for the fact they were discriminating against Americans. I received a nice letter in reply saying they would look into the matter. I never followed up, and neither did they. This was 30 years ago.
Ironically, UC Berkeley is one of the few schools in the country to have race-blind admissions because of Proposition 209.
Where you see it is the proportion of Asians in the Cal student body, which is probably among the highest in the country. Asians are heavily discriminated against at most colleges and universities because they score higher and have higher GPAs than all other races, (Whites, and especially white males, are also discriminated against, but not as badly as Asians.) So that funnels smart Asian students into UC schools because they don’t discriminate.
Given the barriers to whites (and Asians) to entry at elite colleges, it is not surprising that ones with money now try to buy/bribe their way in.
With all respect, this appears to be FAKE NEWS.
My BS detector is clanging up a storm.
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