Posted by David Hyman:
University of Illinois Admissions
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_06_28-2009_07_04.shtml#1246304940
The University of Illinois admissions �scandal� has attracted a lot of
coverage, including blog posts by [1]Jon Adler,[2] Brian Leiter, and
[3]Paul Caron. My friend and colleague, (former) Dean Heidi Hurd had a
[4]letter to the editor in the Chicago Tribune yesterday that is
likely to be of interest to those following the issue. The key
paragraphs are as follows:
Contrary to recent headlines, the College of Law did not seek or
receive any jobs from anyone in exchange for the admission of
students. It did not enter into a "jobs-for-entry scheme" or engage
in quid-pro-quo exchanges of admissions favors for employment
favors. Indeed, it takes very little to make clear that the
employment challenges of students who are not academically
successful could never be overcome by anyone's promises to furnish
the College with job opportunities, as the recently published
exchanges should have made clear. While my sarcasm was clearly lost
on the tin ears of some, my e-mail exchanges in response to queries
about this were on their face facetious.
In reply to a question about what jobs would count to meet the
employment needs of students with poor academic predictors but
powerful personal connections, I wrote: "Only very high paying jobs
in law firms that are absolutely indifferent to whether the five
have passed their law school classes or the Bar." There are, of
course, no law firms that are indifferent to whether their
attorneys possess law degrees (and one must pass law school classes
to receive a law degree) or are members of the Bar (for one cannot
practice law without Bar membership). And when asked whether such
students might find employment in government positions, I was being
equally sarcastic when I replied: "I'm betting the Governorship
will be open. One of them can have that job. Other jobs in
Government are fine, since kids who don't pass the Bar and can't
think are close enough for government work." Inasmuch as I was a
public servant at the time that I made these comments and have long
been a scholar and teacher of political theory, my dismissive
response was designed to convey the view that government, no less
than private practice, requires the best and brightest.
A [5]blue-ribbon state Commission is currently working to "review
claims that certain applicants to the University of Illinois received
special treatment based on political connections and recommend reforms
to improve the fairness and transparency of the admissions process."
Here is the [6]agenda for the public meeting being held today.
References
1. http://volokh.com/posts/1246217747.shtml
2.
http://leiterlawschool.typepad.com/leiter/2009/06/the-chicago-tribune-series-on-political-muscle-and-u-of-illinois-admissions.html
3.
http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2009/06/illinois-admitted-unqualified.html
4.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/arts/chi-0628_hurd_letterjun28,0,6144648.story
5. http://admissionsreview.illinois.gov/
6. http://admissionsreview.illinois.gov/documents/ARC-2.pdf
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