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U of I Chancellor, Other Official Testify at Clout Hearing
Two University of Illinois board members testified before the Admissions Review Commission Tuesday.

Current board member and former board Chairman Lawrence Eppley testified that he did forward admissions requests from the office of then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich to the chancellor. Board member Dr. Kenneth Schmidt told the commission that he too made inquiries about certain students, but defended his actions, saying he never did so to leverage someone in the university; rather he was just checking on the status of a person's application and relaying that information back to the potential student.

Both men, towards the end of their testimony, admitted that board members should stay out of the admissions process. "We're desperate for remedies," Eppley said.

The commission is working on a list of recommendations that would make the process clout-free. Commissioners say the board should have a code of conduct that would prohibit board members from involvement in admissions, housing and classes.

Schmidt raised concern about a lack of a student advocate if board members are to be hands-off when it comes to admissions. He says there are some cases when things appear "to be awry." Commissioners say to address that concern they are looking at the possibility of creating an inspector general for institutions of higher learning.

A third board member, David Dorris, was scheduled to testify but the commission postponed his appearance until a later date.

(Illinois Radio Network)
07 14 09 by Newsroom
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