Cloutless - U Of I Discriminates Against Veterans

CLOUT-LESS HOW UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHANGED ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES TO KEEP MILITARY VETERANS OUT

20 July 2009

“I HAVE PUBLICLY ENDORSED THIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM… IT IS MY EXPECTATION THAT THE ADMISSIONS POLICY REMAINS CONSISTENT WITH THE PROGRAM I ENDORSED.…” Former US Congressman Rahm Emanuel - June 12, 2006

“I HAVE BEEN DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS’ FAILURE TO FULFILL ITS I EXPECT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS TO MAKE GOOD ON ITS PROMISE AND SET AN EXAMPLE OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOR FOR ALL OF ITS STUDENTS….”

PROMISE TO OUR VETERANS.

Governor Pat Quinn - November 20, 2007

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE I.

Quotations from U. of I. Emails and Documents

pages 5-6

II.

Summary

pages 7-8

III.

Key Findings

IV.

Information Sources

page 10

V.

Contact Information

page 11

page 9

DOSSIER OUTLINE

page 12

CHAPTER 1 PLANNING AND APPROVAL: THE KEY PLAYERS 1A Senior Administrators from the College of Business, Provost and Chancellor’s Planned the Military Scholarship Program and Noted IVG Funding Shortfalls 1B Involvement of U. of I. Public Relations 1C The U. of I. Military Scholarship Program Repackaged and Marketed the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Entitlement Program from the State of Illinois CHAPTER 2 PRESS RELEASES, INTERNAL POLICY AND FAQ DOCUMENTS 2A Press Release for the Military Scholarship Program Issued by the College of Business in Champaign 2B The Head of Public Relations for the College of Business Coordinated Simultaneous Press Releases with Pat Quinn Office 2C Press Release Issued by Lt. Gov. Quinn Coordinated with Public Relations at the College of Business 2D An FAQ Published With the Press Release at U. of I. Specified a 2006 Timeframe and 72-hour Conditional Acceptance Program for Military Veterans 2E The Military FAQ Posted On The Executive MBA Program’s Web Site Specified 2006 As The Applicable Timeframe As Well 2F A Document Authored By Sandra Frank For Internal Distribution To Deans And Directors At The College Of Business (“IVG Partnership”) Specified The Military Scholarship Program’s Timeframe as the 2006-2007 Academic Year 2G The Announcement on the Full-Time MBA Web Site in Champaign Specified the 2006-2007 Academic Year as the Relevant Timeframe As Well 2H The Official Press Release Was Modified By Ghosh At The Last Minute To Include The MBA Programs Run By Mary Miller In Champaign CHAPTER 3 A CHANGE OF HEART

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Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 2

3A Ghosh and Representatives of the Provost and Chancellor Second-Guessed the Military Scholarship Program over IVG Funding Two Weeks After Its Launch 3B When The Military Scholarship Program Turned South CHAPTER 4 TACTICS OF DISCRIMINATION: HOW 110 BECAME “15-17” THROUGH ALTERED ADMISSIONS STANDARDS AND QUOTAS 4A New Math: The Meeting Where “110” Scholarships Became “1517” 4B Ghosh Orders Creation of a Special Veterans Database and Review of Civilians “In The Pipeline” 4C How Application Deadlines Were Reverse-Engineered and Shortened to Disqualify Military Students Already Accepted 4D How The Discrimination Plan Was Implemented and Who Did It 4E Ikenberry, DeBrock, Ghosh and Frank Discuss Rescind Hoax and How To Fool Veterans in Email 4F Quota: Discrimination Scheme Confirmed in Writing 4G DeBrock Writes He Will Rescind Veterans (“Pull The Trigger”) Who Submitted an Application for Admission and Paid a Fee CHAPTER 5 WHO WROTE THE RESCIND LETTERS AND CARRIED OUT THE DISCRIMINATION PLAN 5A DeBrock’s Original “Rescind Letter” From His May 23, 2006 Email Matches the Rescind Letter Sent May 30, 2006 5B DeBrock Takes Over Admissions and Orders van der Hooning’s Staff to Send More Rescind Letters 5C Civilians Were Recruited to Replace Military Scholarship Students 5D Discrimination Turns Ugly: Rescinded Veterans Asked To ReApply To a New Admissions Committee While the Class Was Already Full 5E Quinn Demands Answers, But U. of I. Misleads 5F The “Quick Admit” Conditional Admission Process For Veterans and Soldiers

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CHAPTER 6 OVER 40 RESCIND LETTERS WITH FORGED SIGNATURE SENT TO VETERANS, U. OF I. ADMINISTRATORS AND INSPECTOR GENERAL

page 54

6A Signature Forged on Rescind Letters 6B Forged Letters Sent to Pat Quinn and U. of I. President Joseph White 6C Following a Subpoena From The Inspector General, U. of I.’s Chief Ethics Officer, Donna McNeely, Sent Investigators Documents With van der Hooning’s Forged Signature

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CHAPTER 7 PROTEST LETTERS FROM VETERANS AND THE FAUX ETHICS INVESTIGATION 7A Protest Letter From van der Hooning To Ghosh Over Ethics 7B Protest Letters from Veterans 7C Protests from Rahm Emanuel and Illinois State Representative Tim Schmitz Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 3

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7D President White Asked UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning To Investigate after Receiving Veterans’ Protest Letters 7E How A Confidential Ethics Complaint Was Shared Across UIC and UIUC CHAPTER 8 HOW DEAN AVIJIT GHOSH GOT CAUGHT FALSIFYING ADMISSIONS DATA TO PAT QUINN 8A Pat Quinn’s Third Intervention on November 20, 2007, Was A Protest Letter To U. of I.’s President, Chancellor and Board of Trustees 8B Ghosh Forced By Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel To Reinstate Previously Rescinded Veterans 8C Ghosh Sends Letter to Pat Quinn Containing Falsified Admissions Data While Running a Behind-the-Scenes Campaign with DeBrock to Rescind Veterans a Second Time 8D Veterans Told “Class Full” for Two Years CHAPTER 9 THE COVER-UP : FALSE STATEMENTS MADE BY SENIOR U. OF I. OFFICIALS TO PAT QUINN, RAHM EMANUEL AND THE PRESS 9A U. of I. Chancellor Richard Herman Admits “110 All At Once” to Investigative Detectives from Inspector General 9B U. of I. Officials Made Varying Statements Were Made About the Timeframe and Scale of the Military Scholarship Program 9C U. of I. Internal Documents Contradict Statements by Ghosh, Kaler and Hardy and Show a Clear Understanding of the 2006 Timeframe and Eligibility Details 9D Statements Made About Classroom Space and Faculty Availability 9E Statements Made to the Press by David Ikenberry, Chairman of Finance Department at College of Business, Were False and Misleading 9F Pat Quinn’s November, 2007, Letter Complains That U. of I. Reneged on Its Promise and Demands a Full Accounting from President White, Chancellor Herman and the Board of Trustees 9G President B. Joseph White Responds to Pat Quinn’s Letter with Exaggerated Admissions Data and False Information 9H Military Scholarship Program Dropped in 2006 and IVG Benefits Reduced 70% CHAPTER 10 CAMPUS POLITICS: HOW TENSIONS BETWEEN CHAMPAIGN AND UIC OVER ANOTHER MBA PROGRAM IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS INFLUENCED THE MILITARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 10A Tensions Erupt Between Urbana-Champaign and UIC Over Ghosh’s Expansion Plans for the Chicago Market 10B Chancellor Manning and Others from UIC Step In CHAPTER 11 WHAT U. OF I.’S BOARD KNEW AND WHEN THEY KNEW IT

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PREFACE

I.

Quotations from U. of I. Emails and Documents

Here is a brief overview of “Clout-less” from U. of I. emails, documents and correspondence: The University of Illinois has partnered with the State of Illinois to award up to 110 new academic scholarships for Illinois-based military veterans - U. of I. Press Release, March 3, 2006

I salute the College of Business for offering our veterans a free education - Pat Quinn Press Release, March 3, 2006

State of Illinois provides IVG grants which pays for 70% of the tuition for eligible veterans. We are waiving the remaining tuition - Avijit Ghosh, Former Dean, College of Business, March 7, 2006

Let me tell you the facts about faculty… high priced hookers are still hookers. If you bring in 70 students and the college nets 3.5 mil, the hookers are praised as soldiers - Larry DeBrock, Dean, College of Business, March 20, 2006

I want to salute the College of Business for providing 110 MBA scholarships to returning veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan - Pat Quinn, April 28, 2006

Think about how the veterans’ scholarship will affect our cash flow. You cannot necessarily count on IVG money at the same rate as last year - Avijit Ghosh, Former Dean, College of Business, May 11, 2006

We have an adequate number of military candidates to meet the target of 15-17 that Avijit Ghosh set in our Wednesday meeting. Given that target, that means there is only room for 9-11 more students with military backgrounds. As you requested, I looked at the data to see if there were obvious criteria for reducing class size to 55. No obvious criteria emerged to me – especially on the military side - Robert Vander Hooning, Former Assistant Dean, College of Business, May 19, 2006

Review the other candidates in the pipeline - Avijit Ghosh, Former Dean, College of Business, May 11, 2006

Larry, here are the marching orders I just got on the phone from you: Class mix: 35 civilian, 25 military; manage rescind/attrition hard on military side to reduce from where we are now - about 60 - to 25 - Robert Vander Hooning, Former Assistant Dean, College of Business, May 25, 2006

Let's spend effort in thoroughly understanding our current civilian pipeline and convert these into hard admissions - Prof. David Ikenberry, Associate Dean for Executive Education, College of Business, May 25, 2006

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 5

I see no reason in making sure they (veterans) are aware that this conventional path is open… I don’t think we should encourage them to apply if we are only going to reject them - Prof. David Ikenberry, Associate Dean for Executive Education, May 25, 2006

We are sending rescind letters, complete with very encouraging wording to continue the application. The fact that they have sent us the Application and Fee could reasonable be considered ‘sealing the deal’ but we can still pull the trigger on these guys - Larry DeBrock, Dean, College of Business, May 26, 2006

I have publicly endorsed this scholarship program… it is my expectation that the admissions policy remains consistent with the program I endorsed - Rahm Emanuel, June 12, 2006

Question: Answer: Question: Answer: Question: Answer: Question: Answer:

Informed how scholarships would be administered? Remember talking to Ghosh Where are you getting the $? Asked Ghosh. ISAC was going to help. 110 all at once? Yes. U of I said 110 scholarships? Yes.

- Inspector General interview with Richard Herman, Chancellor, September 14, 2006

I have been deeply disappointed by the University of Illinois’ failure to fulfill its promise to our veterans. I expect the University of Illinois to make good on its promise and set an example of ethical behavior for all of its students - Pat Quinn letter to U. of I. President, Chancellor and Board of Trustees, November 20, 2007

The MBA programs evaluate and admit ‘blind,’ meaning that unless an applicant chooses to include information about a military background in his/her application, reviewers have no idea whether that student is military - B. Joseph White, President, November 30, 2007 (letter to Pat Quinn)

Will you be receiving financial support from a company, the military? List honors… including academic, military... non-academic training… professional, military - Illinois MBA Application for Admission and Financial Aid, 2008

There is no statute or case which mandates the right of veterans to higher education or scholarship for higher education - U. of I. Board of Trustees, 2008

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 6

II.

Summary

On May 29, 2009, the Chicago Tribune reported how University of Illinois maintained a confidential “Cat I” list of students connected to persons with “clout,” including politicians, U. of I. Board members and Tony Rezko. The University first denied, but later admitted, the existence of the “Cat I” list. University admissions officials were pressured to admit substandard students by lobbyists, President Joseph White and Chancellor Richard Herman. Less than a month later, the Chicago Tribune published partially redacted emails between U. of I. Law School Dean, Heidi Hurd, and Chancellor Richard Herman U. of I.1 and reported some “clouted” Law School applicants received “full-ride scholarships.”2 These emails, dating back to April, 2006, demonstrate an admissions-for-jobs quid pro quo involving Governor Rod Blagojevich and U. of I. Board of Trustees Chairman, Lawrence Eppley. Governor Pat Quinn signed Executive Order 12 that created an independent commission3 to investigate U. of I.’s admission procedures. But something else – the opposite of “clout,” and perhaps darker – was also going on at U. of I. at about the same time Heidi Hurd and Richard Herman were emailing each other about a “jobsfor-entry” scheme.4 Just two weeks after the Hurd-Herman emails, the Dean at the College of Business, Avijit Ghosh, decided to shorten admissions deadlines for “clout-less” military veterans - after they applied - to keep them out and replace them with civilians. Other veterans had their applications ignored through a strategy discussed internally as “melt.” On March 3, 2006, the University of Illinois launched the biggest scholarship program for military veterans in the history of higher education. It was funded in large part by the Illinois Veteran Grant, an existing State of Illinois program, and governed by State Law. Who announced it? Pat Quinn and the College of Business. Within two months, after 100+ veterans began the application process, Ghosh changed his mind and ordered subordinates to replace veterans with civilians. Days later, Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel challenged U. of I.’s ethics through phone calls and formal protest letters sent to President White, Chancellor Herman and the Board of Trustees. Where’s the evidence? The betrayal of military veterans at U. of I. – engineered through altered admissions procedures after veterans applied – is best explained by the University’s own internal documents and emails without spin by lawyers or public relations spokespersons. We include over 200 original documents, emails, photographs, letters and web site postings in this dossier to describe what happened in U. of I.’s own words as events unfolded. We heard about the problems with the Military Scholarship Program at U. of I. through ABC News and articles by Associated Press and Daily Illini. At first, our interest was casual, since we are alumni and involved in legislative affairs. So we asked a few people what happened, including a veteran of Desert Storm and up-and-coming businessman, who applied to the U. of I. Executive 1

See email exchanges at http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/acrobat/2009-06/47730102.pdf and http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-college-clout-photogallery,0,4562783.photogallery 2 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-clout.edit.sun.0628jun28,0,7498870.story 3 http://www.illinois.gov/gov/execorders/2009_12.htm 4 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ui-trustees-26-jun26,0,3541380.story Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 7

MBA Program after reading Pat Quinn’s message about the 110 full-ride MBA scholarships on www.OperationHomeFront.org. He told us that he was passed around and his phone calls were ignored for 3 months by U. of I. until finally told the program was full. Then we read an article by the Associated Press quoting a letter from then-Illinois Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn to U. of I. President Joseph White, Chancellor Richard Herman and the Board of Trustees accusing U. of I. of reneging on their promise to veterans. The letter rang true with what we heard, so we dug a little deeper. Many of the same individuals involved in the current scandal, “Clout Goes to College,” were involved in the military scholarship scandal as evidenced by email communication and letters of protest addressed to them? Who knew? Larry Eppley and the Board of Trustees, Provost Linda Katehi, Chancellor Richard Herman and President Joseph White to name a few. Avijit Ghosh, former Dean of the College of Business from 2001-2006, served as the head of the U. of I. Presidential Search Committee that got President B. Joseph White his job in 2004. Soon after problems with the military scholarship program surfaced, Rahm Emanuel and Pat Quinn lodged formal protests. Weeks later, Ghosh interviewed for positions outside U. of I., but soon returned to a $330,000/year job reporting directly to White as VP of Technology and Economic Development. Ghosh’s field of academic study is marketing. Heidi Hurd, the former Dean of U. of I.’s law school, supervised Ghosh’s 5-year performance review in 2006 at the same time problems surfaced with the military scholarship scandal. Where did Hurd send Ghosh’s performance review? Richard Herman. Is this a coincidence or patronage, academic style? So, as lawyers, policy makers and educators, we wanted to see hard evidence as events took place, not what anyone said after the fact. First, we obtained copies of legal filings from the Court of Claims, read press accounts and talked to veterans and friends at U. of I. to establish a baseline of facts and allegations. Second, we obtained internal documents, admissions data, published articles, web postings and email communications from U. of I. employees to support or deny each fact and allegation. Third, we verified each allegation with at least two documents and two independent human sources. What we found is a strikingly different story than U. of I. told the press. In fact, as people inside U. of I. stepped forward, we saw a clear and disturbing picture of what happened and why. Every conclusion in our dossier is backed up by internal documents and email communications between U. of I. officials whose contact information is provided at the end of this document. We conclude that what happened at U. of I. goes far deeper a dispute over 110 military scholarships. The dossier reveals a failure of leadership and a culture that shielded itself from accountability by any means necessary. It shows the inner workings of a public University that turned a Military Scholarship Program into a carefully orchestrated and executed scheme of discrimination against the very people to whom promises were made. It shows a cover-up, including forged documents provided to investigators, to avoid accountability for wrongdoing. This issue is much more than a momentary lapse in judgment by a handful of people. The betrayal of military veterans grew into a tightly orchestrated effort involving senior U. of I. officials who betrayed the most fundamental values of our alma mater. What began as a local problem in one College grew into a cover-up that went to the top of U. of I. at UrbanaChampaign and UIC campuses. We are making this information public in the hope that this case will motivate changes at U. of I. as well as changes in federal and state law to prevent discrimination by higher education institutions against individuals who served in the US Armed Forces. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 8

III. Key Findings These are our major findings: •

Emails between the Dean and his staff show how new, shorter application deadlines were created and applied retroactively against veterans already accepted

•

With 70 veterans already accepted, U. of I. set quotas limiting veteran enrollment to 25

•

The current Dean of the College of Business, Larry DeBrock, bragged about the scheme in email: “We are sending rescind letters, complete with very encouraging wording to continue the application. The fact that they have sent us the Application and Fee could reasonable be considered ‘sealing the deal’ but we can still pull the trigger on these guys”

•

Full-paying civilians were recruited at 5 separate public marketing events after previouslyaccepted veterans were rescinded; civilians who applied after veterans were given seats in U. of I. classes while veterans were told classes were full

•

The press reported 34 veterans had their admission rescinded on one occasion. We found written evidence that 50 veterans had their admission rescinded on four separate occasions.

•

U. of I. told the press that 110 scholarships were supposed to be awarded over 3-4 years, but investigators from the Inspector General asked U. of I. Chancellor Richard Herman if the 110 scholarships were to be awarded “all at once.” Herman said “Yes.”

•

U. of I. Public Relations’ spokesperson Robin Kaler, who denied wrongdoing and blasted the Daily Illini newspaper’s investigative reporting, failed to disclose she received and acknowledged all scholarship program details when it was launched. Other U. of I. staffers supplied details and editing for a Press Release by Pat Quinn as he announced the military scholarship program in front of 600 alumni of the College of Business at the Chicago Hyatt

•

After Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel sent protest letters to U. of I. President B. Joseph White, Chancellor Richard Herman and Dean Ghosh, U. of I. reinstated previously rescinded veterans; however, one day later, U. of I. begin a second campaign to eliminate veterans from its programs and warned that confirming it in writing would be “dangerous.”

•

Former Dean Avijit Ghosh wrote Pat Quinn a letter in July, 2006, and claimed 61 veterans enrolled. A day later, U. of I. Public Relations told ABC News the number was 76. The actual number was around 40

•

Details of an employee’s ethics complaint over veteran’s admissions procedures were shared between representatives of UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning and U. of I. President Joe White; the employee was terminated 2 weeks later

•

The signature of a U. of I. employee was forged on letters sent to veterans; an email written by Larry DeBrock took the cut-and-pasted name, address and phone number from another employee’s email and was sent to Pat Quinn, Rahm Emanuel and investigators from the Inspector General without disclosure of the forgery

•

In November, 2007, Pat Quinn wrote U. of I. President White, Chancellor Herman and the Board of Trustees demanding the University “set an example of ethical behavior for its students” as well as a full accounting of veterans who applied but were rejected; White denied Quinn’s request citing privacy concerns and claimed that admissions was “blind” to applicants’ military status. However, application and financial aid documents downloaded from U. of I.’s web site ask applicants about their military status and military financial aid

•

In response to a lawsuit, the Board of Trustees claimed in 2008: “There is no statute or case which mandates the right of veterans to higher education…”

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 9

IV.

Information Sources

NEWS SOURCES - ABC News

- The Chronicle of Higher Education

- The Daily Illini

- Faculty at UIUC College of Business and UIC

- Western Herald - The Pantagraph

Liautaud Graduate School of Business - U. of I. EMBA Students - Class of 2008-2009

- Associated Press

- UIUC Campus Information Technologies and

Educational Services (CITES), UIC Academic Computing and Communications Center (ACCC)

- Inside Higher Ed - Provost’s Office at UIUC

- Web sites of Full-time, Part-time and Executive MBA

- Christian Science Monitor

Programs; College of Business, UIUC; Illinois Student Assistance Commission; Illinois Register Rules of Governmental Agencies; US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

- Chancellor’s Office at UIC - Chancellor’s Office at UIUC

BLOGS - Backyard Conservative -

Blogmeister Brainster Glock21 IlliniPundit

- LittleOleLady’s

- Marathon Pundit -

- Rodeo of the Mind

My Web Times the biz of knowledge The Online News-Gazette Online Universities Weblog

- Reverse Spin

-

Rogers Park Bench The Inside Dope Three World Wars Windypundit

- Online Universities weblog

LEGAL - Complaint for Injunctive Relief and Damages: Robert van der Hooning (Claimant) v. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Avijit Ghosh, Larry DeBrock, David Ikenberry and Sandy Frank (Respondents) – December 15, 2006 (Illinois Court Of Claims Case #07 CC 1856 - Motion to Dismiss: Respondent Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois’ Motion to Dismiss and Memorandum of Law in Support of Its Motion to Dismiss – February 13, 2007 - Motion to Dismiss: Respondent Ghosh’s Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Rule 790.40(c) or, Alternatively, For Lack of Jurisdiction – February 13, 2007

- Motion for Leave to File Sur-Reply To Address Newly-Raised Arguments – September 13, 2006 - Court Order – February 27, 2008 - Depositions are currently underway; no date has been set for trial

CONTRIBUTORS Legal

IVG/ ISAC/ VA

Research

Editors

Pat, JM & Dan

Bill & Kurt

Bill, CR, John & Dave

Cindy & Jerry

Springfield, Chicago

Tinley Park

Chicago/ Springfield

Lake Forest

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V.

Contact Information

Name

Title

Email/Contact

Phone

Avijit Ghosh Ben Bradley Bob Vander Hooning Carol Nelson David Dorris David Ikenberry Devon Bruce Eric Schuller George Freeman Ginny Hudak-David Greg Oldham Huseyin Leblebici Ira Solomon Jane Kappes Jane White Jaquilin Wilson Jose Antonio Rosa Joseph White Kate Metz Kathleen Pecknold Larry DeBrock Lawrence Eppley Linda Katehi Lisa Koengeter Mark Shanley Mary Miller Mary Porter Michael Tanner Mike Andrechak Norma Lauder Pat Rea Patrick Hoey Patrick Quinn Pete Wiltjer Rahm Emanuel Randy Kangas Rashad Abdel-khalik Richard Herman Robert Sperling Robin Kaler Robyn Sato Sandra Frank Shayne Purdue Sylvia Manning Terry McLennand Thomas Hardy Tracy McCabe

Former Dean, College of Business Managing Partner, Bradley Wiltjer Marketing Group Former Assistant Dean, College of Business College of Business Member, U. of I. Board of Trustees Assoc Dean For Executive Programs Member, U. of I. Board of Trustees Former Staff Aide, Veterans Affairs to Lt. Gov. Quinn Director of Facilities, College of Business Assoc Dir For University Relations Assoc Dean Of Faculty, College of Business Professor, College of Business Chair, Accounting Department, College of Business Admin Aide, College of Business, Office of the Dean Assoc Dir EMBA Program Director MBA Admissions Professor, UIC President, U. of I. Executive Assistant to the President Visiting Director, Office of the Chancellor Dean, College of Business Former Chairman, U. of I. Board of Trustees Provost, UIUC Assistant Director, Executive MBA Program Chair, UIC Department of Managerial Studies Associate Dean, MBA Programs Assistant Dean, Special Events Provost, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UIC Associate Provost, UIUC Academic Program Director, MS Tax Small Business Administration Director Budget Oper & Analysis Lt. Governor, State of Illinois Managing Partner, BWMG, Inc US Congressman – IL 5th District Assist VP for Planning and Budgeting, UIUC Professor, College of Business Chancellor, UIUC Former Member, U. of I. Board of Trustees Associate Chancellor, Director Public Affairs, UIUC Assistant to the Chancellor, UIC Assoc Dean, Finance/Admin, College of Business Coordinator, EMBA Program Former Chancellor, UIC, Pres., HLC Assistant Director of State Relations Executive Director for University Relations Assist Dean, External Relations, College of Business

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265-5440 221-9844 441-9258 333-6679 820-9174 333-6396 236-9381 825-9189 333-8352 333-6400 333-6340 333-4512 333-3808 244-3931 333-5275 244-2953 413-9362 333-3070 333-3070 244-9141 333-4553 807-4256 333-6677 575-7901 996-2680 244-8019 244-8844 413-3450 333-4493 575-7922 353-4626 244-0542 814-5220 614-4577 267-5926 333-0398 265-0539 333-6290 558-7941 333-5010 413-3350 333-1242 575-7904 621-7440 333-1086 996-3771 333-4093

DOSSIER Chapter 1

PLANNING AND APPROVAL: THE KEY PLAYERS – who planned and approved the Military Scholarship Program and what they wrote about it

Chapter 2

PRESS RELEASES, INTERNAL POLICY AND FAQ DOCUMENTS – official press release, FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), internal documents and emails sent to news organizations and military scholarship candidates by U. of I. and Pat Quinn

Chapter 3

A CHANGE OF HEART – emails between U. of I. administrators pinpoint the time and cause for reducing the Military Scholarship Program two months after it began

Chapter 4

TACTICS OF DISCRIMINATION: HOW 110 BECAME “15-17” THROUGH ALTERED ADMISSIONS STANDARDS AND QUOTAS – how an admissions quota and altered application deadlines were designed to discriminate against military students

Chapter 5

WHO WROTE THE RESCIND LETTERS AND CARRIED OUT THE DISCRIMINATION PLAN – copies of the rescind letters sent to military candidates, who wrote them and the discrimination that followed

Chapter 6

OVER 40 RESCIND LETTERS WITH FORGED SIGNATURE SENT TO VETERANS, U. OF I. ADMINISTRATORS AND INSPECTOR GENERAL – how a signature was forged and signed to a letter written by an Associate Dean rescinding admissions status to veterans

Chapter 7

PROTEST LETTERS FROM VETERANS AND THE FAUX ETHICS INVESTIGATION – protest letters from veterans to President White, the Board of Trustees, and Deans; a faux investigation by President Joseph White and UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning

Chapter 8

FEDERAL AND STATE INTERVENTIONS – protests from Rahm Emanuel and Pat Quinn; how the College of Business Dean got caught falsifying admissions data in writing To Quinn

Chapter 9

THE COVER-UP : FALSE STATEMENTS MADE BY SENIOR U. OF I. OFFICIALS TO PAT QUINN, RAHM EMANUEL AND THE PRESS – statements made by U. of I. to political leaders and the press compared to internal U. of I. documents and emails; falsified admissions data provided by President Joseph White to Pat Quinn in November 2007; forged documents provided to U. of I. investigators, the Inspector General, Quinn and others

Chapter 10

CAMPUS POLITICS: HOW TENSIONS BETWEEN CHAMPAIGN AND UIC OVER ANOTHER MBA PROGRAM IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS INFLUENCED THE MILITARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM – a turf war between Champaign and UIC Chancellors over which school would serve the Chicago market may have nixed the Military Scholarship Program and a second MBA program at the same time

Chapter 11

WHAT U. OF I.’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES KNEW AND WHEN THEY KNEW IT – Letter to U. of I. Board of Trustees; a lawsuit, U. of I.’s response and recent Court decisions

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 12

1.

PLANNING AND APPROVAL: THE KEY PLAYERS

SUMMARY • Public Relations, the College of Business, and the Provost and Chancellor’s Offices – over 20 people in all – planned and approved the Military Scholarship Program • U. of I. acknowledged financial risks of the Military Scholarship Program prior to its approval • U. of I. Public Relations helped Pat Quinn write his Press Release and confirmed the program’s timeframe directly with the head of the College’s Public Relations department • The senior Public Relations officer in Champaign acknowledged receipt of all program announcements and FAQs and said, “I’ll pass it on – thanks.” • The Military Scholarship Program marketed an existing State program – Illinois Veteran Grant Several individuals at the College of Business, Provost Office and Chancellor’s office were involved in planning and approving the Military Scholarship Program:5 Avijit Ghosh Eric Schuller Mike Andrechak Randy Kangas Robert van der Hooning Robin Kaler Sandra Frank Terry McLennand Tracy McCabe

Dean, College of Business Staff Aide on Veterans Affairs to Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn Associate Provost, UIUC Assistant Vice President for Planning and Budgeting, UIUC Assistant Dean, Executive Education, College of Business Associate Chancellor and Director Public Affairs, UIUC Associate Dean, Finance and Administration, College of Business Assistant Director of State Relations Assistant Dean, External Relations, College of Business

Internal emails and documents reveal extensive discussions and a detailed understanding of the Military Scholarship Program’s financial benefits and risks at all levels of U. of I. College of Business and university administration. Avijit Ghosh, Dean of the College of Business, reported to the Provost, Linda Katehi,6 who reported to the Chancellor, Richard Herman. The program was funded by the Illinois Veteran Grant (“IVG”), a state veteran entitlement program, which by law requires state universities to absorb any shortfall between IVG funding and University tuition. IVG had been used by veterans at U. of I. for decades.

A.

Senior Administrators from the College of Business, Provost and Chancellor’s Planned the Military Scholarship Program and Noted IVG Funding Shortfalls

We reviewed 40 emails between the key principals and representatives of the Provost and Chancellor involved who planned the Military Scholarship Program beginning in 2005. The certainty of IVG funding shortfalls was discussed prior to approval. From: Andrechak, Michael [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 1:35 PM To: White, Jane Subject: EMBA Tuition I talked to Randy Kangas… the BOT does need to vote on this… the item is so uncontroversial that there is no risk of it not passing. He believes that it is safe to market to the IVG group.

5 6

Current contact information is provided at the end of the dossier http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-u-of-i-clout-04-jul03,0,6618041.story?page=1 Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 13

From: Andrechak, Michael [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 6:10 PM To: Frank, Sandra Cc: Hoey, Patrick H. Subject: Ill. Veteran Grant funding The IVG program for FY07 has no increase over the FY06 levels in the Governor’s budget. Last year there was a 25% overall shortfall for the program…. From: Frank, Sandra [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 10:21 AM To: Andrechak, Michael Cc: Van Der Hooning, Robert G. Subject: RE: Ill. Veteran Grant funding Thanks, Mike. I assume you'll let us know if our tuition return at reconciliation will be reduced…. From: Andrechak, Michael [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 10:39 AM To: Frank, Sandra Subject: RE: Ill. Veteran Grant funding I will. However, I was mostly letting you know about this because of the aggressive veterans recruiting that the EMBA program plans. From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 10:45 AM To: 'Andrechak, Michael' Cc: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: Ill. Veteran Grant funding I understand. We do appreciate the information and some estimate of the potential shortfall….

B.

Involvement of U. of I. Public Relations

U. of I. Public Relations helped write and approve Press Releases by U. of I. and Pat Quinn. Ghosh asked van der Hooning to work with Robin Kaler, head of Public Relations in Champaign. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 7:59 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: PR Question - do we need U of I Public Affairs approval for a press release on the military stuff or just College of Business? What/who do you recommend for this? I'm ready to go with it. From: Ghosh, Avijit [mailto:Ghosh, Avijit] Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2006 12:47 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: PR Yes we should work with U of I (Robin Kaler). Also we need to inform internally in the College since people might get questions. First, could you send me a copy please. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 14

From: Van der Hooning, Robert [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 7:05 AM To: Kaler, Robin Subject: talk today ? Robin: Would like to talk with you about our military channel program that involves veterans and the State of Illinois as well as our China initiative sometime today if possible. Do you have a window for me? From: Van der Hooning, Robert [mailto:Van der Hooning, Robert] Key Finding Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 10:44 PM To: Kaler, Robin Subject: RE: talk today ? Attachments: Exec MBA Military FAQ.pdf (363 KB); Exec MBA Military PR.pdf (382 KB) Have fun wherever you are. Update for you attached. Can we get the PR on the main university web site - www.uiuc.edu? From: Kaler, Robin [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, March 05, 2006 9:00 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: talk today ?

Key Finding

I'll pass it on. Thanks Following an internal announcement of the Military Scholarship Program by Ghosh and van der Hooning to the Dean’s Business Council, Pat Rea7 invited Pat Quinn to make a public statement of support at the College of Business alumni luncheon at the Chicago Hyatt Hotel. From: Rea [mailto:Rea] Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 7:04 PM To: Porter, Mary; Ghosh, Avijit Cc: Rea, Patrick E.; Bletz, Carol A; Wilkerson, Carol R.; Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: Spring Luncheon bonus - Pat Quinn … The Lt Governor is the point person on new veterans programs and benefits for the State. He is a recognized national government leader in this field… I was just informed by the Office of the Lt. Governor that he will be attending along with his Executive Assistant for Veterans Affairs Mr. Eric Schuller. Their Press Office will issue a Press Release following the luncheon…. On March 1, 2006, van der Hooning introduced Quinn’s veterans’ affairs specialist, Eric Schuller, to Assistant Dean Tracy McCabe to coordinate Press Releases and FAQs. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 2:24 PM To: [email protected]; McCabe, Tracy G. Subject: RE: DRAFT press release for ideas/discussion with Eric I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Tracy McCabe who heads up the College’s external relations. He 7

Regional Administrator for SBA’s Midwest Region Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 15

is in charge of approving and inviting media to the Friday event. Tracy will coordinate with you on the media side of this. Thanks to both of you in advance. Pat Quinn’s office clarified program details, eligibility and timeframe directly with McCabe prior to his endorsement on March 3, 2006, at the Chicago Hyatt Hotel. McCabe worked for Ghosh and has a dotted line relationship to Kaler. McCabe helped Schuller draft Pat Quinn’s Press Release. From: McCabe, Tracy G. [mailto:McCabe, Tracy G.] Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 9:03 PM To: '[email protected]' Cc: Van der Hooning, Robert; Hudak-David, Ginny Subject: RE: DRAFT press release for ideas/discussion with Eric

Key Finding

Below are quotes you might consider for your press release. Please contact me at 847-7216206… Quotes from Robert van der Hooning, Assistant Dean for Professional and Executive Education, College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign relative to the University Military Scholarship Program combining with the IVG grant to pay MBA tuition: “This is a unique opportunity for the citizens of Illinois and our university to honor our men and women in uniform,” “For soldiers and veterans, this is an opportunity to put their career on a fast track, without the burden of student loans. I recently met with a returning group of marines from the 2/24th Battalion who fought on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. I realized then that saying “thank you” was not enough. We had to do something tangible and significant, and this program is a step in the right direction.” Schuller confirmed with McCabe the Military Scholarship Program was “NO COST” for veterans. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Key Finding Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 12:28 PM To: McCabe, Tracy G.; [email protected] Cc: Van der Hooning, Robert; Hudak-David, Ginny; White, Jane; Wilson, Jaquilin Subject: RE: DRAFT press release for ideas/discussion with Eric Attachments: IL VETERANS—PQ Salutes NO-COST MBA Program at University of Illinois (0303-06) ADVISORY.doc (849 B) Can you help fill in the blanks on our press advisory... Also want to make sure that this at NO cost to the Veteran... Terry McLennand from U. of I. State Relations confirmed the details with the Chancellor’s Office. From: McLennand, Terry [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 2:27 PM To: Pecknold, Kathleen Cc: King, Theresa Subject: College of Business, veteran grants We have received two calls from legislative offices on behalf of constituients who are returning from duty in Iraq. These veterans are saying they have heard of the UIUC College of Business “giving out” grants to veterans for either the Executive MBA program or another COB Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 16

program. Can you please find out if we are doing this and what they are and provide us with a grant contact person that we can forward calls to? Terry McLennand The Chancellor’s Office confirmed details directly with Ghosh. From: Pecknold, Kathleen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 2:29 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: FW: College of Business, veteran grants Hello Avijit, Do you have any background on this? Ghosh confirmed IVG funding shortfalls with the Chancellor’s Office From: Ghosh, Avijit Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 2:36 PM To: 'Pecknold, Kathleen' Cc: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: College of Business, veteran grants

Key Finding

As you may be aware the State of Illinois provides IVG grants which pays for 70% of the tuition for eligible veterans. We are waiving the remaining tuition. I am asking Robert Van der Hooning, who manages the Executive MBA program to provide you with more details…. From: Van der Hooning, Robert [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 2:48 PM To: Pecknold, Kathleen Cc: [email protected] Subject: RE: College of Business, veteran grants Attachments: Exec MBA FAQ.pdf (363 KB); Exec MBA Military PR.pdf (382 KB) Kathleen, happy to talk about this... here are some important docs I send candidates…. Ghosh’s secretary, Jane Kappas, asked van der Hooning for copies of the Press Release and FAQ for Ghosh. These are the same documents shared with Kaler and Ghosh earlier. From: Van der Hooning, Robert [mailto:Van der Hooning, Robert] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:32 PM To: Kappes, Jane Subject: Attachments: Exec MBA FAQ.pdf (363 KB); Exec MBA Military PR.pdf (382 KB) Jane – here you go. The FAQ document in Kappes’ email above sets forth timeframe eligibility for the Military Scholarship Program as 2006. The entire FAQ document is shown in §2 below. FAQ #4: Q: How long will the scholarship be available? A: The scholarship is available for students who enroll in the Executive MBA Program in Chicago or the MBA Program at the Urbana-Champaign campus beginning in September 2006 Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 17

A week later, Sandra Frank published the internal policy document explaining the financial and eligibility details of the Military Scholarship Program and distributed it to deans and directors. This document is titled, “Guidelines for Implementation for Academic Year 2006-2007,” and no other timeframe is mentioned in this or any other document we reviewed. From: Frank, Sandra [mailto:Frank, Sandra] Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 5:58 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit; Miller, Mary; Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: IVG Document Attachments: IVG Document.doc (4 KB) Revision suggestions from Mary and Bob have been incorporated into my original draft. Attached is the final version. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Business/IVG Benefit Partnership Program Guidelines for Implementation for Academic Year 2006-2007 We found no mention in this document - or any other - that the Military Scholarship Program applied to classes that began after the current academic year8 of 2006-2007. All references to the Military Scholarship Program were removed from web sites and brochures in July, 2006, and not offered for classes beginning in 2007 or 2008. The document in Frank’s email above, entitled “IVG Document,” clearly shows the linkage and funding source of the Military Scholarship Program – the State of Illinois IVG Program.

C.

The U. of I. Military Scholarship Program Repackaged and Marketed the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Entitlement Program from the State of Illinois

The U. of I. Military Scholarship Program repackaged and marketed the Illinois Veteran Grant, a state-funded entitlement program started in 1967. Eligible Illinois veterans were entitled to fullride tuition scholarships at U. of I. through IVG whether the Military Scholarship Program said so or not. According to U. of I. admissions records, a handful of veterans attended the Executive MBA Program through IVG each year for the past 20 years. This is how the Military Scholarship Program and IVG really worked. IVG provides Illinois military veterans with 120 “units” to “spend” for education at state schools in Illinois. The U. of I. Executive MBA Program required 56 of these units, whereas the MBA programs in Champaign required 72 units. IVG units are used to buy credit hours irrespective of tuition prices. U. of I.’s MBA programs are 2-year academic programs taught over 3 calendar years. So, if an Illinois veteran had enough IVG units in his/her IVG account, the MBA degree was “full-ride” according to state law no matter what U. of I. said. See §9G for laws pertaining to IVG. There were two additional features to U. of I.’s Military Scholarship Program beyond IVG benefits. First, it promised 110 seats for veterans with full-ride scholarships for classes that began in September, 2006. Second, it provided additional scholarship funds (30%) for veterans who did not have the requisite 56 IVG units. For example, a student who had only 40 units remaining of the 120 originally granted would be 16 units short (28%) of a full-ride scholarship. At then8

The Academic year is July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007 and 99% of all academic programs at U. of I. start in September each year. IVG pays benefits 3 times per year as students complete courses satisfactorily. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 18

current tuition, $74,000, this student would still owe $21,143. U. of I.’s Military Scholarship Program promised to cover 30% of the $21,143 shortfall, or $6,343. This was in addition to the 110 full-ride scholarships. However, if the State of Illinois did not fully fund the IVG Program and insufficient funds were available to pay 100% of tuition costs, participating universities were required by State law to absorb a proportionate shortfall. Our research reveals this issue – IVG funding shortfalls – was the kernel of the problem at U. of I. and one Dean’s attempt to circumvent State law. The conventional wisdom about the IVG program is that 1) more veterans used the program or 2) the State of Illinois cut back its funding. In fact, between 2002 and 2006, the number of IVG participants state-wide increased only 2.1% and IVG funding from the State of Illinois remained a constant $19.25 million/year. During this same period, however, tuition increased 49%. The data in the IBHE report below show that U. of I. was one of 51 schools that participated in the IVG Program in 2006, and its 110 full-ride scholarships represented a small fraction of the 12,000 IVG awards during 2006 at all Illinois public universities and community colleges. The link between U. of I.’s Military Scholarship Program and IVG has important legal and public policy implications. When U. of I. cut back its Military Scholarship Program and limited the number of veterans in its classes, it denied veterans access to an existing state-funded entitlement program enacted by Illinois state law 110 ILCS 947/40. In fact, as the reader will see in §3, Dean Avijit Ghosh specifically cited shortfalls in IVG funding as a key reason for cutting back the number of military scholarships from 110 to less than 20. A 2006 status of the IVG Program reported by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)9 is on the following page.

9

http://www.ibhe.org/Board/agendas/2007/February/ItemII-1VeteransGrantReport.pdf Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 19

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2.

PRESS RELEASES, INTERNAL POLICY AND FAQ DOCUMENTS

SUMMARY • Several internal documents, press releases, Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”) and web postings were published for use in Champaign and Chicago that specified 110 scholarships would be awarded in 2006 in partnership with the Illinois Veteran Grant • The College’s public relations staff coordinated simultaneous press releases with Pat Quinn • The College’s Associate Dean for Administration published and distributed an internal policy document stating the 2006 timeframe, terms of eligibility and financial details • Pat Quinn issues a simultaneous press release which U. of I. Public Relations helped draft

A.

Press Release for the Military Scholarship Program Issued by the College of Business in Champaign

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 21

B.

The Head of Public Relations for the College of Business Coordinated Simultaneous Press Releases with Pat Quinn Office

Details of the press releases were coordinated with U. of I.’s head of External Relations for the College of Business, Tracy McCabe, who reported directly to Ghosh: From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 10:23 PM To: McCabe, Tracy G. Cc: Van der Hooning, Robert; Hudak-David, Ginny Subject: RE: DRAFT press release for ideas/discussion with Eric We will be putting out a media advisory late tomorrow and Friday Morning… Can you get me some “stats” on the program such as how many people enrolled, length of program.. stuff like that… Feel free to call me on my cell at 815-redacted… Thanks Eric Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 22

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 12:28 PM To: McCabe, Tracy G.; [email protected] Cc: Van der Hooning, Robert; Hudak-David, Ginny; White, Jane; Wilson, Jaquilin Subject: RE: DRAFT press release for ideas/discussion with Eric Can you help fill in the blanks on our press advisory.. Also want to make sure that this at NO cost to the Veteran... From: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 6:03 PM To: McCabe, Tracy G. Cc: Van der Hooning, Robert; Hudak-David, Ginny; PeteWiltjer Subject: RE: FW: DRAFT press release for ideas/discussion with Eric Can you provide me with an exact breakdown on where the money to pay for the program is coming from.. How much IVG, how much from other sources.. Thanks Eric From: "McCabe, Tracy G." Sent: 03/01/2006 04:03 PM To: <[email protected]> Cc: "Van der Hooning, Robert" , "Hudak-David, Ginny" Subject: RE: DRAFT press release for ideas/discussion with Eric Eric: Below are quotes you might consider for your press release. Please contact me at 847-redacted if you are inviting any media or if you are notified of any media attending our luncheon at the Hyatt on Friday. We have protocols to follow if media will be attending. Quotes from Robert van der Hooning, Assistant Dean for Professional and Executive Education, College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign relative to the University Military Scholarship Program combining with the IVG grant to pay MBA tuition: “This is a unique opportunity for the citizens of Illinois and our university to honor our men and women in uniform,” “For soldiers and veterans, this is an opportunity to put their career on a fast track, without the burden of student loans. I recently met with a returning group of marines from the 2/24th Battalion who fought on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. I realized then that saying “thank you” was not enough. We had to do something tangible and significant, and this program is a step in the right direction.” Best regards, Tracy G. McCabe Assistant Dean for External and Alumni Affairs

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 23

C.

Press Release Issued by Lt. Gov. Quinn Coordinated with Public Relations at the College of Business

Below is the press release issued by Pat Quinn on March 3, 2006. The quotes suggested by McCabe in the above section were included.

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 24

D.

An FAQ Published With the Press Release at U. of I. Specified a 2006 Timeframe and 72-hour Conditional Acceptance Program for Military Veterans

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 25

E.

The Military FAQ Posted On The Executive MBA Program’s Web Site Specified 2006 As The Applicable Timeframe As Well

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 26

F.

A Document Authored By Sandra Frank For Internal Distribution To Deans And Directors At The College Of Business (“IVG Partnership”) Specified The Military Scholarship Program’s Timeframe as the 2006-2007 Academic Year

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 27

G.

The Announcement on the Full-Time MBA Web Site10 in Champaign Specified the 2006-2007 Academic Year as the Relevant Timeframe As Well

10

http://www.illinoisptmba.uiuc.edu/NR/rdonlyres/4072DDE9-D611-433B-8BA48D34DD1C298F/0/IVG_Partnership_guidelines_for_FT_and_PT_MBA.pdf Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 28

H.

The Official Press Release Was Modified By Ghosh At The Last Minute To Include The MBA Programs Run By Mary Miller In Champaign

Initially, as in 2005, the Military Scholarship Program was only intended for the Executive MBA Program in Chicago, which is supported by this earlier draft Press Release on February 28, 2006. The value of the program was stated as $8 million (e.g., 110 scholarships x $74,000 tuition).

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 29

3.

A CHANGE OF HEART

SUMMARY • Two weeks after the launch of the Military Scholarship Program, senior U. of I. officials wrote that the Illinois Veteran Grant entitlement program, which funded U. of I.’s scholarship and would not reimburse U. of I. what officials expected • The Dean of the College of Business ordered the Military Scholarship Program cut back two months after it began because “…the veterans scholarship will affect our cash flow….” • The Illinois Veteran Grant funded 63.6% of all award claims in 2006, just short of the 70% level expected when the Military Scholarship Program was planned

A.

Ghosh and Representatives of the Provost and Chancellor Second-Guessed the Military Scholarship Program over IVG Funding Two Weeks After Its Launch

The demise of the Military Scholarship Program was no accident. Senior officials in the Chancellor and Provost’s offices stated concerns about IVG funding levels - in writing – just two weeks after the Military Scholarship Program was launched on March 3, 2006. From: Andrechak, Michael [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wed 3/15/2006 6:23 PM To: Frank, Sandra Subject: RE: ISAC Here is some additional information: • • •

The IVG program does not distinguish between base tuition rates and recovery programs. All eligible students receive this benefit. As you thought, the program is administered through ISAC; billing is done centrally. Financial Aid has been informed by ISAC that there will be a significant shortfall this term— perhaps in the 90-95% range.

Has anyone in the college confirmed that the state will reimburse the program for a tuition charge that includes housing?11 The reason that I am asking is the program guidelines specifically say that they don’t pay for University housing. I am concerned that we might find ourselves in a position where ISAC asks questions regarding a major increase in the bill sent to them for certain students. From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 7:47 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert; Ghosh, Avijit; Miller, Mary12 Subject: FW: ISAC

Key Finding

Point # 3 below [see 3rd bullet in Andrechak email above] is very worrisome… but we can discuss tomorrow during our teleconference.

11

Pertains to Full-time MBA Program in Champaign that includes a line item housing charge – about $15,000/yr – and IVG does not pay for housing. This does not pertain to the part-time MBA Program or the Executive MBA Program. 12 Mary Miller is Associate Dean, Part-time and Full-time MBA Programs, in Champaign. She reported to Ghosh.

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From: Miller, Mary Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 8:10 AM To: Frank, Sandra; Van der Hooning, Robert; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: RE: ISAC Can someone tell me where I can find the complete program guidelines, please. I read the application and what Bob sent, but I thought it was the GI bill, not IVG that provided books, housing, etc. … My understanding is the State reimburses the University, not the College, at 70%, but the students at 100%. It is the University that must waive the remaining 30% or the students are charged this. That is the part we are supposed to make up with the scholarship - right? Based on the third point below, we could be in a position where the University will expect us [to pay] 90-95% if we proceed.13 I hope the College has deep pockets. Miller was confused even though van der Hooning sent her the Press Release prior to its launch. From: Van der Hooning, Robert [mailto:Van der Hooning, Robert] Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 7:06 PM To: Miller, Mary Subject: RE: language Attachments: PR.doc (47KB) OK – here you go under Robert’s Rules of Full Disclosure! The linkage between the Military Scholarship Program and IVG, including the underlying legal statute, was sent by van der Hooning to Miller, Frank and Ghosh. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 8:15 AM To: Miller, Mary; Frank, Sandra; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: RE: ISAC Program overview of IVG - http://www.collegezone.com/giftassist/753_2497.htm Illinois Law on IVG - http://www.collegezone.com/media/isacrules_06_IVG2.pdf.pdf. The funding issue is covered here. I sent you a complete description of IVG - and at the bottom included a reference to GIB. From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 11:48 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: Draft Document

Key Finding

The major concern is over how much it will cost us in lost revenue due to shortfall in IVG funding. That's why we shouldn't state the 30% at all in referring to the benefits covered for the students under their IVG eligibility. Worst case scenario is a student with full IVG eligibility so that they have a full entitlement and then IVG shortfalls to a major extent and we end up eating the cost of their degree. Additionally, Mary is very concerned about having to fund a 30% tuition financial aid award for students after they exhaust their IVG units. 13

IVG paid 3 times per year. Payments were made to participating institutions after summer, winter and spring semesters. If IVG ran out of funds, shortfalls hit proportionately in spring semester. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 31

Despite concerns over IVG funding levels, Frank authored the official internal policy document that governed implementation of the Military Scholarship Program including a draft and official version approved by Ghosh. Frank is very clear that the implementation of the “IVG/BUS program” was for “this coming academic year.” From: Frank, Sandra [mailto:Frank, Sandra] Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 12:30 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: Draft Document

Key Finding

Attached is the draft document regarding implementation of the IVG/BUS program for this coming academic year. Avijit has reviewed and cleared it from this end…. There is no documentation we found – email, letters, brochures – which backs up U. of I.’s statements made subsequently to the Press that the Military Scholarship Program was intended to be spread over 3-4 years. In fact, in this email from DeBrock to van der Hooning, sent just a week after the launch of the Military Scholarship Program, DeBrock acknowledges van der Hooning told him he planned to hold two classes to accommodate the additional students expected for the September class. From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 12:15 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: big week

Key Finding

I know you have said since day 1 that we were off target in choosing the EMBA as our beachhead in moving to Chicago. But, you also told me that we could get at least one group of 45-50 and you hoped for scaling to a second group14. A day later, Frank published the internal policy document regarding the Military Scholarship Program: From: Frank, Sandra [mailto:Frank, Sandra] Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 5:58 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit; Miller, Mary; Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: IVG Document Attachments: IVG Partnership.doc (4 KB) Revision suggestions from Mary and Bob have been incorporated into my original draft. Attached is the final version. The IVG Partnership document in Frank’s email is found in §2 above. The title of the document, Guidelines for Implementation for Academic Year 2006-2007, makes the timeframe clear.

B.

When The Military Scholarship Program Turned South

On May 11, 2006, DeBrock called van der Hooning for an update on enrollment numbers for classes beginning in September. After DeBrock talked to van der Hooning, Ghosh inquired about 14

“second group” refers to a second classroom. The Illini Center had 2 classrooms that seated 60 students with existing desks and chairs which could be expanded to 80. There was a third classroom that could seat 30 students without modifications. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 32

the number of students admitted to the Executive MBA (EMBA) Program on his own. Just 30 minutes after Ghosh got his answer, the Military Scholarship Program was dramatically cut back. From: Ghosh, Avijit Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 11:12 AM To: Frank, Sandra Subject: EMBA Could you ask Alex or Jane for a count of how many admissions have been granted and the number in process for the EMBA. From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 11:14 AM To: Sanchez15, Alex1; White, Jane16 Subject: FW: EMBA Importance: High Alex, Can you give me a count on how many have been processed and admitted for EMBA for this year? Jane, Can you give me a count on how many are in process that have NOT yet reached Alex for her processing? How many of these do you anticipate will be admits? From: White, Jane [mailto:White, Jane] Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 12:54 PM To: Frank, Sandra Cc: Van der Hooning, Robert; Sanchez, Alex Subject: RE: EMBA We have a total of 92 applications completed or in process and 25 of these have been admitted. We continue to get applications daily as well as inquiries. This afternoon Robert is going over the applications and names of those he has been communicating with regarding admission to the program. He should have a better idea of how many of those will be admitted later today. Larry DeBrock called him this morning asking for basically the same info. Robert told him we had about 100 applications in process and maybe another 150 in the pipeline17…. But something else was going on at this time. There was a parallel development – a “turf war” between UIC and Urbana-Champaign Chancellors – that may have contributed to the demise of the Military Scholarship Program and Ghosh’s expansion plans at the same time. We report on this in §10. In our view, the first email from Ghosh to van der Hooning that cuts back the Military Scholarship Program provides the most obvious written explanation for U. of I.’s actions. Most significantly, if U. of I. spokespersons are to be believed that the Military Scholarship Program was a 3-4 year program which van der Hooning mismanaged, Ghosh did not mention a 3-4 year timeframe in this email or any other. The only reason Ghosh cited for the cutback was money: “think about

how the veterans scholarship will affect our cash flow. You cannot necessarily count on IVGA money at the same rate as last year….” The first mention of a 3-4 year timeframe for the Military Scholarship Program was by U. of I. spokespersons to ABC News in 2007 (see §9A). 15

Alejandra “Alex” Sanchez coordinates admissions between the College of Business and Graduate College Jane White is Associate Director of the Executive MBA Program. Her office is in Champaign. 17 “pipeline” refers to candidates who expressed interest, requested application materials and began submitting sections of an application.

16

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 33

From: Ghosh, Avijit [mailto:Ghosh, Avijit] Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 1:24 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: Follow up

Key Finding

Bob, Larry mentioned to me his conversation with you regarding admissions. I am glad that the numbers are looking good. As I had mentioned to you bringing in a class of 45 or so good students should be the target. You have brought in good classes the last two years (the faculty feels good about that). Keeping that trend with a larger class will be great. Larry also said that you mentioned a potential second cohort—you must not do that. We are not ready for a second cohort this year. A good class of around 45-50 should be the target. Also—we need to make sure that we will have some additional clash flow from the additional students so we need to think about how the veterans scholarship will affect our cash flow. You cannot necessarily count on IVGA money at the same rate as last year…. This change in direction, which made no reference to the just-launched military campaign, came before any known problem between Ghosh and van der Hooning. Just a few weeks earlier, van der Hooning was nominated for promotion by Ghosh and the Board of Trustees approved it in April. All parties worked well together up to this point and were planning additional MBA programs for Chicago market (see §10).18 On May 22, van der Hooning was given a list of 13 military students from DeBrock to remove from the Executive MBA Program. On May 26, DeBrock ordered 33 additional veterans removed from further consideration. No veteran who applied for the EMBA program after May 17 was admitted. We explore the tactical methods used by U. of I. in the following section.

18

In §10, we explore a political conflict between UIC and Urbana-Champaign over “turf” that may have contributed to the demise of the Military Scholarship Program Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 34

4.

TACTICS OF DISCRIMINATION: HOW 110 BECAME “15-17” THROUGH ALTERED ADMISSIONS STANDARDS AND QUOTAS

SUMMARY • On May 17, 2006, just two months after the Military Scholarship Program began, it was cut back from 110 scholarships to “15-17” as Ghosh ordered van der Hooning to rescind admission to 50+ veterans; no new applications from veterans were accepted past this date • On May 22, 2006, Ghosh, Ikenberry, DeBrock and Frank ordered van der Hooning to recruit additional civilians and meet a quota of 35 civilians and 25 veterans • Admissions procedures and application deadlines were retroactively changed for 33 veterans already accepted as a technical reason to rescind their admission • On May 23, 2006, Ikenberry wrote Ghosh, DeBrock and Frank and asked why veterans should be encouraged to submit an application when the objective was to reject them • On May 24, 2006, van der Hooning was ordered to keep recruiting civilians • On May 26, 2006, DeBrock implemented shorter admissions deadlines - retroactively - to disqualify enough veterans to meet the military/civilian quota; that same day, DeBrock wrote Ghosh bragging he could “still pull the trigger” on veterans who met all admissions deadlines

A.

New Math: The Meeting Where “110” Scholarships Became “15-17”

Based on press reports, exhibits from the lawsuit and internal emails, a meeting attended by Ghosh, DeBrock, van der Hooning and Frank was held in Ghosh’s office on May 17, 2006. While the lawsuit claims Ghosh and his staff said “too many jarheads will bias the class demographic”19 and ordered the scholarship cut from 110 to “15-17,” the name-calling issue is peripheral to the central question of whether actual discrimination occurred in terms of prejudicial treatment. The jarhead slur was denied by Public Relations but the “15-17” target and subsequent efforts to reduce veterans’ participation in MBA classes was never challenged and appears in several emails. It would take approximately 7 years to fulfill the 110 scholarship commitment if “15-17” would be awarded annually. This number, “15-17,” stands in stark contrast to statements made by President White’s top Public Relations person, Thomas Hardy, who told ABC News on January 7, 2007, that the Military Scholarship Program was always planned for 3 years. On November 27, 2007, President White wrote Pat Quinn and said that U. of I. would need an additional two years – a total of 4 years – to fulfill its commitment. However, we found no mention in any document or email that mentions a 3 year timeframe for the Military Scholarship Program. Faculty at the College of Business told us that the May 17, 2006, meeting became contentious over military veterans’ suitability as “corporate leaders” and Ghosh’s decision to reduce the 110 scholarships to “15-17.” Sources told us, and emails of May 19, 2006, and May 25, 2006 confirm below, that Ghosh ordered van der Hooning to find ways to eliminate previously accepted veterans and active-duty personnel – not civilians – from the Executive MBA Program. At the time of this meeting on May 17, 2006, there were 140 total applicants, 94 total admissions (69 military, 25 civilian) and 126 additional leads in progress as the email below shows. 19

Graduates of the Executive MBA Program told us Ikenberry justified the cutback because too many veterans in the same class would bias class discussion. Ikenberry, a small plane pilot, justified the comment by comparing a class full of veterans to a class full of pilots who would talk about their passion for flying. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 35

From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Fri 5/19/2006 6:42 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra; DeBrock, Larry Subject: summary I’ve looked through the data…. Summary 140 Total Applications - 65-35 military-civilian (incl. partial apps) as of 5/10/06 75% of military applicants are retired military or reserves in corporate jobs Quick Admits20 61 QAs total 10% - Civilian (6) 90% - Military (55) 56% - Enrolled in summer school21 (18/32 in sample… memory says about half) 8 - New pending QAs waiting for response Admits 10 - Deposits received 10 - Sent to Grad College for Admission 5 - Letters of admission sent in mail 25 - Total (19 civilian, 3 ex-military, 3 military) Pipeline 51 - Partial applications in process 126 - Qualified leads in process Clearly, we have an adequate number of military candidates to meet the target of 15-17 that AG set in our Wednesday meeting…. As you requested, I looked at the data to see if there were obvious criteria for reducing class size to 55. No obvious criteria emerged to me – especially on the military side….

B.

Ghosh Orders Creation of a Special Veterans Database and Review of Other Candidates “In The Pipeline”

Ghosh’s reaction to van der Hooning’s May 19, 2006, response, “No obvious criteria emerged to me – especially on the military side,” was swift and predictive of U. of I.’s actions over the next few days. From March 3, 2006, to May 20, 2006, 63 of the 69 applicants that received conditional admission were veterans, but almost 100% of all other applicants were civilians. From: Ghosh, Avijit Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 8:01 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert; Frank, Sandra; DeBrock, Larry Subject: RE: summary

Key Finding

One important task is to create a complete database of QA with the relevant background information and contact information…. We will put some other people to help--but the first thing is to put all the data in one place. We also need to review the other candidates in the pipeline. 20

“QA” stands for Quick Admit (see §5F) - a process whereby veterans and active-duty military candidates were granted conditional admission based on college degree, GPA, experience, etc. Formal admission was granted pending receipt of official transcripts that matched information provided in conditional admission 21 van der Hooning instituted a new requirement in 2006 for all students that required prior completion of statistics and accounting courses prior to matriculation Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 36

C.

How Application Deadlines Were Reverse-Engineered and Shortened to Disqualify Military Students Already Accepted

The discrimination plan was hatched over the May 20-22, 2006, weekend between the time Ghosh sent van der Hooning the email (above) and a phone call DeBrock made to van der Hooning the following Monday with names of veterans to rescind from the program. First, Ghosh and his team obtained a copy of the Executive MBA Program’s Admissions Database. The database, called “Admissions Tracker,” contained 15 fields of detailed information about students’ applications, including name, dates and completion status. This is the admissions tracking system used by the Executive MBA Program staff:

Executive MBA Program 2008 Admissions Tracker May 16, 2006 Applicant First Name

Applicant Last Name

Status

Type

Application

Resume

Redacted

Redacted

Tuition Deposit Paid

Civilian

Complete - 05/12/06

Redacted

Redacted

Letter of Admission Sent

IVG

Complete - 05/1/06

Date Redacted

Redacted

Redacted

Conditional Admit

IVG

Online In Progress 04/29/06

Date Redacted

GPA

Letter of Recommendations 1 2 3

Sponsorship Letter

IVG Discharge

Interview

Yes

Transcripts

Application Fee

Date Redacted

Notes

Second, Ghosh directed DeBrock to take over development of a rescind strategy that van der Hooning declined to do the weekend before. DeBrock examined the Admissions Tracker database and calculated how long it took accepted military scholarship students to fill out application forms, transcripts, letters of recommendation and other paperwork recorded in the database. Third, DeBrock developed shorter application deadlines for veterans who applied for admission under the Military Scholarship Program to retroactively eliminate sufficient numbers to meet Ghosh’s target (e.g., simulating how far to move the goal post back until the field goal kicker misses). For some students, DeBrock established a 10-day rescind rule. This new rule required military veterans to complete an application and pay a $65 fee within 10 days of being notified of conditional admission to the program. Over half the veterans rescinded under the 10-day rule were serving in the military overseas or enrolled in summer coursed in accounting and statistics required of all students attending the EMBA program in the Fall. For others, DeBrock created a 30-day rescind rule. This new rule required all supporting application documents – letters of recommendation, transcripts and employer sponsorship letter – to be submitted within 30 days of completing an application or paying the $65 application fee. The 30-day rescind rule was not applied to nearly 100 other civilian applicants who had completed a partial application. No veteran who received a “rescind letter” on May 30, 2006, was warned in advance that new application deadlines existed. On May 25, 2006, Frank wrote Ghosh, DeBrock and Ikenberry an

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 37

email and stated “NO MENTION of a 10-day condition for completing an application and $65 fee.” Frank’s email contains an ominous subject line, “Additional Caution.” From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006, 3:45 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit; DeBrock, Larry; Ikenberry, David Subject: Additional Caution Importance: High … some of them make NO MENTION of a 10-day condition for completing application and $65 fee. I’m noting those on the spreadsheet as well. A new tracking device was created that noted whether applicants had been warned in advance of the new 10-day rescind policy for submitting an online application and $65 fee. The author of handwritten notes is Larry DeBrock. The column, “10-day note?,” has striking parallels to U. of I.’s infamous “Cat I” list reported by the Chicago Tribune in its series, “Clout Goes To College.”

Redacted

Redacted

Conditional Admit

IVG

Date of Quick Admit 14-Mar-06

Redacted

Redacted

Conditional Admit

IVG

26-Apr-06

Redacted

Redacted

Conditional Admit Unknown

10-May-06

Redacted

Redacted

Conditional Admit IVG

14-May-06

Redacted

Redacted

Conditional Admit

IVG

15-Mar-06

No 10-day

Redacted

Redacted

Conditional Admit

IVG

6-Apr-06

No 10-day

Redacted

Redacted

IVG

15-Mar

No 10-day

Redacted

Redacted

Conditional Admit Conditional Admit

IVG

6-Apr-06

No 10-day

Applicant Applicant First Name Last Name

D.

Status

Type

10-day note? No 10-day

No 10-day

Application

How The Discrimination Plan Was Implemented and Who Did It

DeBrock wrote van der Hooning on May 23, 2006, with a list of 12 veterans and 1 civilian (13 total, not 11) to rescind from the Executive MBA Program based on the new 10-day rescind rule. This was the first of four orders by DeBrock over the next two weeks. DeBrock ordered van der Hooning’s staff to send more veterans this same letter on May 30, June 1 and June 5, 2006.

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 38

From: DeBrock, Larry Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 6:29 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra; Ikenberry, David Subject: Letter to the 11 Attachments: RescindLetter.doc (34 KB)

Key Finding

As I discussed with you yesterday, there are 11 folks who received a Quick Admit more than 10 days ago but have yet to send in their application and fee. These folks need to have their Quick Admit status rescinded TODAY. Here is the letter that you need to send, on official letterhead, to this group today. Please confirm that each of them received the Quick Admit letter that included the 10 day limit warning. If any of them did NOT have that wording in their Quick Admit, you should be sure to remove the sentence referencing the 10 day warning from this rescind letter. However, please still send such an amended letter to any such exception. As the days roll on, there will be more folks who will fall into the group who have waited 10+ days. As each one of these "Quick Admits with No Response in 10 Days" group reaches the "tenth day" you should immediately send one of these letters rescinding the Quick Admit status. DeBrock’s actual “RescindLetter.doc” attachment in above email Dear ___________ Recently, I sent you an email granting Quick Admit status to the Weekend Executive MBA Program of the class of 2008.22 That email contained a request for you to complete your application within 10 days to secure your place in the class. Applications for admission to the program this year have reached an unprecedented level. It has now been more than 10 days since that communication and you have still not completed your application package for the program. Therefore, I must rescind the offer of Quick Admit. Of course, this does not preclude your ability to apply through the conventional admissions process. [To] Do so, please complete and submit to me the application package for review. You will be informed of the status of your application once this admissions review process has finished. A deferment of one-year is also a possibility if that option appeals to you. For a review of program prerequisites and guidance to this admissions process, please visit our application website: http://www.mbachicago.uiuc.edu/ Again, thank you for your interest in the Executive MBA at Illinois. Sincerely yours,

Robert vdH But DeBrock wasn’t the only contributor to the rescind letter. Frank, Ghosh and Ikenberry contributed as well, and as written evidence below demonstrates, their objective was simple: eliminate veterans from the College’s graduate programs by whatever means necessary.

22

Refers to graduation date. Students in the Class of 2008 began classes September, 2006, and graduate May, 2008. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 39

E.

Ikenberry, DeBrock, Ghosh and Frank Discuss Rescind Hoax and How To Fool Veterans in Email

Prior to DeBrock’s May 23, 2006, email to van der Hooning, however, one email from Ikenberry to Ghosh, DeBrock and Frank reveals the hoax inside U. of I.’s new rescind policy: even if rescinded veterans reapplied through another “conventional path,” they would still be rejected: From: Ikenberry, David Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 6:52 AM To: Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra; DeBrock, Larry Subject: FW: Candidate Letter Attachments: Letter-2-eleven.doc

Key Finding

I made some minor changes and also added a second closing sentence. If a candidate takes the time to make a full and complete application and the candidate still has the impression that the College/EMBA program may or may not accept that application, I see no reason in making sure they are aware that this conventional path is open. By the same token, I don’t think we should encourage them to apply if we are only going to reject them. David Ikenberry is the son of former U. of I. President Stanley Ikenberry. We talked with 14 veterans who applied for admission through the Military Scholarship Program and read their protest letters (see §7). Their opinions were uniform: there was no notice provided anywhere – web sites, printed materials, emails or over the phone – that stated an application package had to be completed in 10 days. We studied the Graduate College’s rules on admission. There is no mention of such a deadline, or any time deadline whatsoever. Finally, we examined the application materials of several undergraduate and graduate programs at U. of I.’s College of Business, UIC and UIS. Same result. There were three levels of impossibility facing veterans because of the new rescind rules in DeBrock’s letter. 1. The 10-day rule to “complete your application package” was created after veterans and soldiers applied 2 months after the terms and conditions of the Military Scholarship Program were announced on March 3, 2006. Veterans who did not satisfy this 10-day rule were retroactively and automatically disqualified. The College’s intent, as stated in Ikenberry’s email above, was rejection. 2. Completion of an “application package,” including transcripts from all schools attended, three (3) letters of recommendation, an employer sponsorship letter and other documents is not feasible in 10 days. We checked with several Illinois universities23, private and public, who told us they would not consider changing admissions procedures and deadlines in the middle of the admissions process. No school ever heard of such a tactic applied to one particular group of students. Civilian students at the Executive MBA Program told us it took them 4-6 weeks to assemble a complete application package. 3. Though DeBrock’s letter promises reconsideration in the future, U. of I. had already capped the number of veterans at with a quota of 35 civilians and 25 military and organized a new

23

IIT, Eastern Illinois, Columbia, Southern Illinois, UIC, Northwestern, DePaul, Northern Illinois, National Lewis, Loyola, Roosevelt, Western Illinois, Elmhurst College, Dominican, Chicago State, Saint Xavier and Univ. of Chicago Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 40

Admissions Committee chaired by DeBrock to enforce the lower number of military students allowed in the program. The names of military scholarship recipients to whom DeBrock ordered van der Hooning send this “RescindLetter” on May 22, 2006, are redacted for privacy reasons; however, the date of each person’s acceptance to the Executive MBA Program shows that all but two were accepted within the past 30 days: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Name Redacted, Name Redacted, Name Redacted, Name Redacted,

5/10/06 5/9/06 5/8/06 5/8/06

5. 6. 7. 8.

Name Redacted, Name Redacted, Name Redacted, Name Redacted,

5/5/06 5/5/06 5/5/06 5/4/06

9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Name Redacted, Name Redacted, Name Redacted, Name Redacted, Name Redacted,

5/1/06 4/29/06 4/28/06 4/20/06 4/18/06

After van der Hooning refused DeBrock’s order, Ghosh ordered Ikenberry to meet with van der Hooning at his Chicago office May 24, 2006, and convince him to implement the rescind strategy. This meeting was commemorated via email (see below). At the time of this meeting, only 19 civilians and 6 military veterans had been processed through formal admission. With a class size targeted at 60 or 80, and military students capped at 15-17, the imperative to recruit more civilians is clear. A photograph of a whiteboard from that meeting on May 24, 2006, between Ikenberry and van der Hooning shows various scenarios consistent with the rescind strategy and the “15-17” target for military students. The numbers “15-17 (16)” are shown on the far left hand side of the photograph. “Keep Recruiting Civilian,” is shown at the lower middle of the photograph (see next page). These working session notes were summarized by van der Hooning to Ghosh, Ikenberry, DeBrock and Frank in email below. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 10:43 AM To: Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra; DeBrock, Larry; Ikenberry, David Subject: options going forward

Key Finding

I spent time with Dave brainstorming our current situation over the past 2 days…. Scenarios • Scenario • Scenario • Scenario • Scenario • Scenario

1 2 3 4 5

-

60 60 80 80 80

students. students. students. students. students.

Constraint: 15-17 military Admit all civilians committed to already, fill rest with military Constraint: 15-17 military Constraint: 50-50 mix Admit all civilians committed to already, fill rest with military

Rescind/Attrition • Rescind QA after 10 days per Larry's letter and email on rescind policy… The following scenarios are based on 1) no modification of Classroom "A" and 2) expansion with better internal layout and design. The variables I played with below address AG's directive of 1517 military in the class (max) as well as various relaxed assumptions such as 50-50 mix and admit all military up to capacity after keeping commitments to civilian admits. … The variables I played with below address AG's directive of 15-17 military in the class (max) as well as various relaxed assumptions such as 50-50 mix and admit all military up to capacity after keeping commitments to civilian admits. These scenarios are meant for discussion purposes and do not indicate any position or preference on my part…. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 41

Ghosh responded with the email below. From: Ghosh, Avijit [mailto:Ghosh, Avijit] Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 1:31 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert; Frank, Sandra; DeBrock, Larry; Ikenberry, David Subject: RE: options going forward Thanks, this is very helpful. We will try to discuss ASAP. AG While one can argue about intentions, the math behind the discrimination plan is clear. Up until May 25, 2006, emails show that Ghosh wanted to cap the Military Scholarship Program at no more than 15-17 students. With 69 military students admitted but only 15-17 allowed to attend, about 50 of the military scholarships had to be rescinded and additional civilians had to be recruited to fill the balance of the class.

F.

Quota: Discrimination Scheme Confirmed in Writing

The day after Ikenberry’s intervention failed, DeBrock ordered van der Hooning to explicitly limit the number of military students. The quota changed slightly – 25 military students (up from “1517”) and 35 civilian students. The “marching orders” email below, and Ikenberry’s corroboration in writing minutes later, show how specific the rescind strategy became.

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 42

From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 3:30 PM To: DeBrock, Larry; Ikenberry, David Cc: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: marching orders

Key Finding

Here are the marching orders I just got on the phone from you. • Class size - 60 • No expansion/modification of Classroom "A" - so I'll call off the help I was getting to redo that room24 • Class mix: 35 civilian, 25 military • Manage rescind/attrition hard on military side to reduce from where we are now - about 60 to 25 • We will meet tomorrow to work on each of the Quick Admits/Admits on military side to develop systematic process to reduce to 25 I'll meet you tomorrow morning at the IC at 10 AM to work on the above. I have it right? Below see Ikenberry’s email confirmation in which he affirmed DeBrock’s marching orders to restrict military students and confirmation of the “civilian challenge.” Given a class size of 60, and over 60 military students already admitted or being processed through admissions, there would be no “civilian challenge” if military students were not cut from the class. From: Ikenberry, David Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 4:27 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: DeBrock, Larry; Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra Subject: RE: marching orders

Key Finding

I know time is short and you are on deadline, however one bullet I would add is to look at the cases in the "civilian pipeline" and break them down into various categories from hot prospects (because of .... ) to new, undeveloped prospects (because of initial phone contact or .....). The logic here is to 1) give us a better appreciation for what the civilian challenge really is at this point in order to produce a class of 60, 2) develop an active strategy to cultivate the promising cases and convert them into admits, and 3) use this information to help us efficiently use our remaining time before fall. In short, let's spend effort in thoroughly understanding our current civilian pipeline and convert these into hard admissions before moving in other directions. The following day, DeBrock went to van der Hooning’s office and rescinded 33 military scholarship students from the Executive MBA Program.

G.

DeBrock Writes He Will Rescind Veterans (“Pull The Trigger”) Who Submitted an Application for Admission and Paid a Fee

Following DeBrock’s meeting with van der Hooning on May 26, 2006, DeBrock summarized his strategy to Ghosh, Frank and Ikenberry and explained that he would rescind additional veterans whether or not they satisfied the new 10- and 30-day rescind rules: 24

Based on the photograph of the meeting notes between van der Hooning and DeBrock, it is clear that several different alternatives were discussed but none agreed. It is also evident from the number “80” that van der Hooning and Ikenberry discussed accommodating as many military scholarships as possible by adding tables and chairs to seat 80 students in one of the three classrooms. This suggestion was vetoed in the “marching orders” email above. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 43

From: DeBrock, Larry Sent: Friday, May 26, 2006 7:05 AM To: Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra; Ikenberry, David Subject: Friday at the Illini Center

Key Finding

We have produced the following list Group 1: 21 QuickAdmits (QA) with a greater than 10 day window and no Application Fee yet Group 2: 7 QAs who have PAID Group 3: 8 QAs who have paid but have more than 30 days since their QuickAdmit and the application (transcripts and/or letters) is still not completely filled. Group 3B: 12 folks who have incomplete apps and have been flagged to get a letter on day 30 after their QA. We are sending rescind letters, complete with very encouraging wording to “continue the application” to all those in group 1 and group 3. Group 3b will get letters as the 30 day window expires. Group 2: did not meet 10 days, but we did NOT tell any of these of the 10 day limit in the QA and, to be honest, the fact that they have sent us the Application and Fee (without transcripts/letters, of course) could reasonably be considered “sealing the deal”. But we can still pull the trigger on these guys. Bob is not happy with any of this…

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 44

5.

WHO WROTE THE RESCIND LETTERS AND CARRIED OUT THE DISCRIMINATION PLAN

SUMMARY • Two months after the Military Scholarship Program began, rescind letters authored by DeBrock were sent to about 40 previously accepted military students • No military student was told of the new application deadlines and pending rescind decision • After van der Hooning formally protested to Ghosh, DeBrock instructed van der Hooning’s staff to mail rescind letters to veterans using van der Hooning’s electronic signature

A.

DeBrock’s Original “Rescind Letter” From His May 23, 2006 Email Matches the Rescind Letter Sent May 30, 2006

“RescindLetter” from May 23, 2006 Dear ___________ Recently, I sent you an email granting Quick Admit status to the Weekend Executive MBA Program of the class of 2008. That email contained a request for you to complete your application within 10 days to secure your place in the class. Applications for admission to the program this year have reached an unprecedented level. It has now been more than 10 days since that communication and you have still not completed your application package for the program. Therefore, I must rescind the offer of Quick Admit. Of course, this does not preclude your ability to apply through the conventional admissions process. Do so, please complete and submit to me the application package for review. You will be informed of the status of your application once this admissions review process has finished. A deferment of one-year is also a possibility if that option appeals to you. For a review of program prerequisites and guidance to this admissions process, please visit our application website: http://www.mbachicago.uiuc.edu/ Again, thank you for your interest in the Executive MBA at Illinois. Sincerely yours, Robert vdH

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 45

Here are the 10- and 30-day rescind letters followed by a copy of an actual letter: 10-day Rescind Letter

30-day Rescind Letter

May 30, 2006

May 30, 2006

Dear ,

Dear ,

Recently, I sent you an email granting Quick Admit status to the Weekend Executive MBA

Your application to the Executive MBA program is not yet complete. It has been 30 days since you received your Quick Admit. Therefore, I must rescind the offer of Quick Admit.

Program of the class of 2008. Applications for admission to the program this year have reached an unprecedented level. It has now been more than 10 days since that communication and you have still not completed your application package for the program. Therefore, I must rescind the offer of Quick Admit at this time. Of course, this does not preclude your ability to apply through the conventional admissions process. To do so, please complete and submit to me the application package for review. You will be informed of the status of your application once this admissions review process has finished. A deferment of one-year is also a possibility if that option appeals to you. For a review of program prerequisites and guidance to this admissions process, please visit our application website at http://www.mbachicago.uiuc.edu/.

Applications for admission to the program this year have reached an unprecedented level. Of course, when we receive your application, the Admissions Committee will evaluate it and respond in a timely manner. You will be informed of the status of your application once this admissions review process has finished. A deferment of one-year is also a possibility if that option appeals to you. For a review of program prerequisites and guidance to this admissions process, please visit our application website at http://www.mbachicago.uiuc.edu/. Please let me know how you wish to proceed as soon as possible. Again, thank you for your interest in the Executive MBA at Illinois. Sincerely yours,

Again, thank you for your interest in the Executive MBA at Illinois. Sincerely yours,

Robert van der Hooning

Robert van der Hooning The application package DeBrock cites in his letter required the following: • • • • • • •

Transcripts from every school attended Application and 3 Essays Letters of Recommendation (3) Company Sponsorship Letter Copy of DD-214 Application for Illinois Veteran Grant Application Fee Paid (check)

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 46

Based on discussions U. of I. staff members, van der Hooning protested DeBrock’s actions at the May 26, 2006, meeting as discrimination against veterans and advised DeBrock to consult U. of I. lawyers, the Provost, Chancellor and President White. At some point during their meeting, DeBrock left van der Hooning’s office and called Ghosh. When DeBrock returned, he selected 2 civilians to be rescinded as evidence that U. of I. was not discriminating against veterans. After refusing to sign the letters and participate further, van der Hooning sent Ghosh a protest letter.

B.

DeBrock Takes Over Admissions and Orders van der Hooning’s Staff to Send More Rescind Letters

After van der Hooning’s written protest to Ghosh (see §7), DeBrock took over admissions for the Executive MBA Program and ordered van der Hooning’s staff to send additional rescind letters to veterans without prior warning. Each rescind letter DeBrock ordered sent contained van der Hooning’s electronic signature. From: DeBrock, Larry Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 10:25 AM To: Purdue, Shayne A. Cc: Van der Hooning, Robert; Frank, Sandra; Ikenberry, David; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: Letter 3 for Mark (redacted) Shayne; This individual just entered "letter 3 status" as it has now been 30 days since his quick admit but his application has yet to be completed. Please send him a "Letter 3". And, we need to make sure these letters are getting to them, so please send it via UPS overnight letter. Thanks. -larry From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 8:40 PM To: Purdue, Shayne A.; White, Jane Cc: Ikenberry, David; Van der Hooning, Robert; Frank, Sandra; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: Letter #3 adds on June 5, 2006 Hi Shayne; Time as pushed the 30 day window past more Quick Admits. We now have three more people who are due the Letter #3

(redacted) As of May 26, the apps for these guys, incl. transcripts and three letters, were incomplete. Please confirm that status. If it is still so, send out a Letter #3 today, UPS Next Day Letter Confirm each case with me.

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 47

C.

Civilians Were Recruited to Replace Military Scholarship Students

Numbers and dates put the discrimination plan into context. While special new rules were created post hoc to eliminate veterans, civilians were actively recruited and admitted without the constraint of new application deadlines applied to veterans. Beginning on May 23, 2006, additional civilians were recruited at 6 marketing events held around the Chicago area: 1. 2. 3. 4.

May 23 – Chicago Illini Center June 1 – Chicago Illini Center June 5 – Oakbrook June 7 – Deerfield

5. June 12 – Arlington Heights 6. June 15 – Chicago Illini Center (Ghosh attends, then meets with Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel later that day)

Admissions records obtained from the Executive MBA Program in Chicago show several civilian students applied and were accepted by U. of I. in late June and July after veterans and soldiers were rescinded. Other civilians did not finish submitting their application materials until July and August. What happened to the other 100+ veterans and soldiers who began their applications and tried to apply is unclear.

D.

Discrimination Turns Ugly: Rescinded Veterans Asked To Re-Apply To a New Admissions Committee While the Class Was Already Full

After the May 30, 2006, rescind letters were mailed, complaints poured in to U. of I.’s Board of Trustees, President White, Chancellor Herman, Dean Ghosh, Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel. See §7B below for five (5) protest letters. After one particular protest letter was sent to Ghosh, President White, and the Board of Trustees, U. of I. took an unusual approach at damage control: blame veterans and promise reconsideration if they applied again. On June 6, 2006, DeBrock provided van der Hooning a “damage control letter” but asked him not to “cc” the list of people in the original complaint email, including U. of I. President Joe White and the Board of Trustees. This letter, similar to rescind letters in §5A, contained van der Hooning’s block email signature, title and contact information. From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 10:47 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: White, Jane; Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra; Ikenberry, David Subject: Candidate letter I have seen the letter from (redacted). He is confusing the recision (sic) of QA with "rejection" from the program/process. Here is a candidate "template letter" to use in these cases. There is no need to include his list of "cc:ed" addressees [i.e., Joe White, Board of Trustees] in your response. =============================== I write in response to your recent email regarding your status with the Executive MBA program at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Your note seems to indicate a feeling that the removal of the Quick Admit status was also a rejection from the program. That is certainly not Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 48

true. Indeed, in my letter I urged you to continue work toward completing your application package. And, I assured you that once the package was complete, your case would come before the admissions committee. While it is true that the admission cycle for this coming fall is running short and thus we could no longer hold a spot on the Quick Admit list for you, that does not change your opportunity to join the program through the decision of the admissions committee. When all the application materials arrive, the committee will review your case in its regular deliberations. Again, thanks for your interest in the program and I hope you do indeed complete the application submission. Robert G. van der Hooning Assistant Dean Professional and Executive Education University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The Illini Center 200 S. Wacker Dr – 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60606

This letter, written by DeBrock, was sent via email the next day by Frank to U. of I. President Joe White, UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning, Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel with van der Hooning’s email signature. See §7D – “President White Asked UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning To Investigate after Receiving Veterans’ Protest Letters.” The wording in this highly-parsed letter struck us as particularly mean-spirited since the veterans DeBrock blames for not returning application materials fast enough were never informed about the new, shorter application deadlines retroactively imposed on them. Moreover, Ghosh and his staff discussed just days before in email that “rescind = reject” (see May 23 in §4E) and created a quota of 35 civilians and 25 military. It strains credulity that DeBrock would now encourage veterans to re-apply who he rescinded less than a week before.

E.

Quinn Demands Answers, But U. of I. Misleads

Following protests from veterans, Lt. Gov. Quinn’s office demanded information about veterans’ applications to U. of I. As of June 6, 2006, there were 74 veterans and soldiers who had begun or completed the application process and another 3 that deferred to the following year. Rather than provide the information requested, Ghosh and his staff discussed ways to understate the number of veterans who had applied. Here is the email trail: From: Schuller, Eric [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:41 PM To: Frank, Sandra Cc: DeBrock, Larry; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: RE: From Dean Ghosh

Key Finding

Thank you… He also indicated that he would send me a list by name as to who had applied and their status.. Frank tried to limit Quinn’s request by excluding veterans who submitted some of the application materials (i.e., letters of recommendations, partial transcripts). Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 49

From: Frank, Sandra [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:47 PM To: Schuller, Eric Cc: DeBrock, Larry; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: Follow-up on EMBA

Key Finding

Let me check with the Program directly tomorrow and get this detailed information for you. Do you want this information for all 65 of the incomplete applications? These individuals did NOT receive a Quick Admit notification. Again, Quinn’s request was simple and clear. From: Schuller, Eric [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:49 PM To: Frank, Sandra Cc: DeBrock, Larry; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: RE: Follow-up on EMBA

Key Finding

All individuals who applied and their status of each.. DeBrock parsed Quinn’s request even more narrowly by only counting veterans who paid a $65 application fee. From: DeBrock, Larry Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 6:51 PM To: Frank, Sandra Cc: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: RE: Follow-up on EMBA … Over 15 of these Quick Admits HAVE NEVER SENT A DIME… Eric seems to want APPLIED so I recommend giving him ONLY those who have paid their $65 and are in progress… Finally, based on advice from U. of I. lawyers, Frank refused to supply the Lt. Governor’s office with any information at all. We believe the federal law to which she refers is FERPA – the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. We analyze the application of FERPA to this situation in §9F. From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2006 10:36 AM To: ‘Schuller, Eric’ Cc: DeBrock, Larry; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: Follow-up on EMBA

Key Finding

Eric, Although Dean Ghosh did discuss providing you with an itemized listing of all applicants and their admissions status, I am sorry to report that the College has been advised by Public Affairs and University Legal Counsel that doing so would be in violation of federal law related to student/applicant personal information… Sandy Frank

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 50

F.

The “Quick Admit” Conditional Admission Process For Veterans and Soldiers

When the military scholarship program was announced on March 3, 2006, veterans and activeduty soldiers were offered 72-hour conditional admission upon receipt of a limited set of information (e.g., GPA, resume, unofficial transcript) used in the formal application process. See §2A, FAQ #3 and sample email from EMBA program on following page for details. Quick Admit was extended to civilians in early May. U. of I. disputed the legitimacy of Quick Admit and “conditional admission” in legal filings and statements to the press.25 And according to U. of I. Public Relations’ Robin Kaler, “the University does not honor any such Quick-Admit process over the normal application process.” We examined the Quick Admit process and Kaler’s claim against U. of I. internal documents, College of Business web sites and Graduate College policies to evaluate her statement. Our research uncovered several references to conditional admission that rebut Kaler’s claim: First, the U. of I. Graduate College’s admissions system, “ApplyYourself”,26 specified two data codes – “58” and “46” – for conditional admission pending receipt of certain application documents as follows: If Decision=58 (or U8), Applicant was Admitted Full Status, Conditional (pending documents) If Decision=46 (or U6), Applicant was Admitted Limited Status, Conditional (pending documents) Second, Ghosh explained Quick Admit to U. of I. President B. Joseph White, Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel in a letter: “As a courtesy to some of our candidates for admission to the class of 2008 of the Executive MBA program for the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign we offered to expedite the process. After an initial interview and information gathering, prospective students who met the profile of our class were given “Quick Admit” status and told to proceed with the formal application process. They were urged to move expeditiously on completing their application portfolio. Many of these Quick Admit applicants followed through and completed an application. These individuals have been confirmed by the admissions committee.” Ghosh’s statement to Pat Quinn, “They were urged to move expeditiously on completing their application portfolio…” is simply false. No veteran was told to proceed “expeditiously,” warned about the reengineered application deadlines or advised in any way to complete their application within any time constraint. All terms, conditions and decision notification dates for the Executive MBA Program’s class starting September, 2006, had been posted on its web site since October, 2005. See several veterans’ protest letters on this issue in §7 below. Third, the College’s Department of Finance’s masters program, “MS Finance”, offered conditional admission through its “Quick App” process in 2004. An article about its “Quick App” process is hosted on a U. of I. web site.27 The article states, “(O)ne final reason we think applications are

up so much this year is the new "Quick App" we introduced.” Both “Quick App” and “Quick Admit” provided conditional admission pending submission of formal application documents. While the Executive MBA Program used Quick Admit for military veterans 25

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2007/03/07/investigative-report-scholarships-fall-short http://www.grad.uiuc.edu/admissions/workshops/2006/ay_guides.htm#GPASU_decisions 27 www.business.uiuc.edu/publications/features/2004.MSF/index.html 26

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and active-duty soldiers, many of whom were serving overseas, the Masters of Finance Program’s Quick App process was designed for foreign overseas students. Almost 100% of the students in the Masters of Finance Program are from Asia. After van der Hooning’s lawsuit was filed, which cited Quick Admission, Ikenberry deleted the 3step Quick Admission process from his web site.28 However, employees in Ikenberry’s Department of Finance gave us a hard copy. We quote: “Complete an MSF Quick Application and submit it with a resume (please include specific dates of employment on your resume). Your resume can be pasted into the online Quick Application, emailed to [email protected], or to 217-244-6113… If you provide a complete Quick Application and resume to the MSF program you will receive notification by email of the Admissions Committee's decision, generally within two weeks. … In the majority of cases the Admissions Committee is able to provide either a Conditional Admission or a Deny decision…. Again, I urge anyone interested in our program to apply… using the Quick App… One final reason we think applications are up so much this year is the new "Quick App" we introduced. Students can quickly apply online in only a few minutes with no application fee. Applicants typically hear a preliminary indication from us within about two weeks, sometimes less.” Fourth, Robin Kaler failed to mention 1) she received information about Quick Admit from van der Hooning when the Military Scholarship Program began (see emails in §2A) and 2) the College of Business existing “Quick App” process in the Department of Finance. As a final quality control step, we examined numerous emails sent by the EMBA program to potential applicants describing Quick Admit and the entire admissions process. All application materials required for formal admission are listed as “Attachments.” Below is one such email (no emphasis is added). From: Van der Hooning, Robert [mailto:Van der Hooning, Robert] Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 4:38 PM To: (redacted) Subject: RE: MBA (welcome home!) Attachments: Pat Quinn Press Release.pdf (125 KB); Rumsfeld.wmv (574 KB); class of 2008 academic calendar.pdf (21 KB); Exec MBA Letter of Recommendation.pdf (231 KB); Exec MBA Military FAQ.pdf (363 KB); Exec MBA Military PR.pdf (382 KB); Exec MBA Sponsorship Letter.doc (31 KB); Exec MBA Transcript Request.pdf (310 KB); Exec MBA Veterans Checklist.pdf (359 KB); IVG application and rules.pdf (46 KB) Glad to hear of your interest in the Weekend Executive MBA Program at University of Illinois in downtown Chicago. I’m happy to help you through the process. Please send me your resume and transcripts (pdf or any format I can read) as soon as possible. Please pay particular attention to paragraph C below on Quick Admit procedures that expedite the process for veterans. There are three important areas of information in this email: A. Application forms for the Executive MBA Program at University of Illinois,

28

These links were removed: http://www.business.uiuc.edu/msf/stepOne.aspx, http://www.business.uiuc.edu/msf/steptwo.aspx and http://www.business.uiuc.edu/msf/stepthree.aspx Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 52

B. Application form and eligibility requirements for the Illinois Veteran Grant, and C. Quick Admit requirements just for veterans that give you a conditional admit to the Program within 3 business days - IMPORTANT Please read all the information and attachments in this email. A. From the University of Illinois side, all the forms (4) you need for application are attached to this email:





Application (Online application click here) - cut and paste into your browser Letter of Recommendation Transcript Request Sponsorship letter – this is a form that your future employer will sign to recognize you will be in the MBA program on Fri-Sat alternating weekends. No need to do this now (see below).

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, you must be admitted to the Executive MBA Program based on our normal admissions criteria. B. From the State of Illinois side, the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) application form and instructions are also attached. The most important aspects of the IVG pertain to Illinois residency before and after your service. Your DD214 must show Illinois residency on lines 7b and 19a. If you are active-duty and returning home soon, make sure you put an Illinois address on line 19a. The State of Illinois uses these two data fields to determine Illinois residency. Details can be found at IVG Eligibility Rules Click Here. C. Quick Admit guidelines just for veterans and active-duty personnel. I will tell you within 72 hours if you are conditionally admitted to the Executive MBA Program upon receipt of the following information:






Resume Undergraduate and graduate degree / name of institution / year of graduation / GPA (unofficial transcript at this point, please). It’s important for me to understand your competence in the areas of accounting, economics and statistics which are foundational to the MBA degree. Written confirmation (letter or email) that you have read the guidelines for the Illinois Veteran Grant and ascertained your eligibility in terms of both domicile and available units. The University of Illinois Executive MBA Program requires 56 IVG units. If you are short available IVG units, kindly inform me of your current status.

This 72-hour “Quick Admit” process provides conditional acceptance to the Executive MBA Program. The condition is that you must eventually fill out all application materials correctly and completely for submission to the Admissions Committee for final evaluation. Just make sure your final application materials match what you tell me during Quick Admit and we’re good to go….

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 53

6.

OVER 40 RESCIND LETTERS WITH FORGED SIGNATURE SENT TO VETERANS, U. OF I. ADMINISTRATORS AND INSPECTOR GENERAL

SUMMARY • The electronic signature of van der Hooning was taken from a marketing postcard and used on 40+ rescind letters authored by DeBrock on 3 different occasions • The email block signature, name, address and phone number of van der Hooning was used on another letter authored by DeBrock • Letters containing van der Hooning’s signature were sent by Ghosh to the Provost, Chancellor and President without attribution of authorship; U. of I.’s Chief Ethics Officer sent the same letters to the Office of Executive Inspector General in response to a subpoena

A.

Signature Forged on Rescind Letters

DeBrock commented on van der Hooning’s electronic signature 2 weeks before using it. After van der Hooning protested to Ghosh (see §7A), a rescind letter with his signature was sent to 33 veterans and soldiers on May 30, 2006, and more veterans in early June, 2006: From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Key Finding Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 3:15 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: TEST MAILING Invitation to Attend University of Illinois EMBA Information Session I like it…. Nice "electronic signature". How did you do that? May 30, 2006 Dear , Recently, I sent you an email granting Quick Admit status to the Weekend Executive MBA Program of the class of 2008. Applications for admission to the program this year have reached an unprecedented level. It has now been more than 10 days since that communication and you have still not completed your application package for the program. Therefore, I must rescind the offer of Quick Admit at this time. Of course, this does not preclude your ability to apply through the conventional admissions process. To do so, please complete and submit to me the application package for review. You will be informed of the status of your application once this admissions review process has finished. A deferment of one-year is also a possibility if that option appeals to you. For a review of program prerequisites and guidance to this admissions process, please visit our application website at http://www.mbachicago.uiuc.edu/. Again, thank you for your interest in the Executive MBA at Illinois. Sincerely yours,

Robert van der Hooning Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 54

The May 30, 2006, rescind letter above is virtually identical to DeBrock’s May 23, 2006, “RescindLetter” (see letter in §5A). This is the marketing postcard from which van der Hooning’s electronic signature was taken.

Good Morning,

Attend an Information Session in your area:

I would like to invite you to a reception and information session this coming Tuesday, May 23, at the Illini Center in downtown Chicago hosted by the Weekend Executive MBA Program. Please join me for lunch and a short presentation at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. If you are thinking about starting your MBA soon, we would be delighted to have you join the University of Illinois family. More CEOs, CFOs, COOs and General Managers have graduated from the University of Illinois than from any other university in the state. Our program, with classes held in downtown Chicago, is practical, techsavvy and international in scope. Every one of our teaching Professors has won the coveted "Teacher of the Year" award at least once. Now in our 32nd year, we are the only MBA program in the world that features a year-long consulting project with international companies in China. Our curriculum features three hands-on project courses with innovative Illinois companies that help you apply lessons learned in the classroom to tough real-world problems. It's like no other MBA in the world.

Chicago - Illini Center in Downtown Chicago May 23, 12 noon Chicago - Illini Center in Downtown Chicago June 1, 5:00pm Oakbrook - Renaissance June 5, 5:30pm Deerfield - Hyatt June 7, 5:30pm Chicago - Illini Center in Downtown Chicago June 15, 12 noon Chicago - Illini Center in Downtown Chicago June 28, 5:00pm

Kind Regards,

RSVP to 312-575-0900 or [email protected] Robert van der Hooning Assistant Dean Professional and Executive Education University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

For additional program and event details, visit www.mba.illinois.edu

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the signature from the rescind letter and the postcard: Rescind Letter

Marketing Postcard

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 55

In addition to the above rescind letters, van der Hooning’s identity and email signature was also used in another document authored by DeBrock on June 6, 2006, in response to a veteran’s complaint letter sent to President White, The Board of Trustees and Dean Ghosh. A copy of DeBrock’s letter, inside the email he sent to van der Hooning, is shown above in 5D (“Discrimination Turns Ugly…”).

B.

Forged Letters Sent to Pat Quinn and U. of I. President Joseph White

As pressure from veterans, their supporters and Pat Quinn increased, Ghosh and his senior team organized data and documents to respond. One of the first responses from U. of I. we uncovered was this handwritten email from DeBrock to Frank. The email below discusses Ghosh’s pending response to Pat Quinn called “the governor’s note.”

Frank collected the rescind letters from DeBrock’s email above and his June 6, 2006, letter (“template for rescind recipient responses”) and notified Ghosh. See email below. From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 3:34 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: update Importance: High

Key Finding

Larry and I are working remotely (he is in Swanlund at a meeting that Bill Adam’s runs) but he will leave that meeting at four to come here. We are preparing 2 packages for you: 1) package for the Governor’s Office will contain (a) a description of the Quick Admit process and rescind letter along with numbers of admits, pipeline, and rescissions; (b) copies of the rescind letters (10-day and 30-day) 2) package for President White’s office will contain a description of the Quick Admit process and the rescind process (with reference to [redacted veteran applicant name]). 3) package of Provost and Chancellor will contain same as #2) but without reference to [redacted veteran applicant name] We will try to get all of this to you by 4:30 – 4:45.

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Within the next hour, Frank sent Ghosh two emails containing six (6) documents for his approval. The first email contained “Info for Governor’s Office” and four (4) documents, including three (3) letters written by Ghosh and his staff but using van der Hooning’s signature. The email did not reveal the documents’ author, van der Hooning’s forged signature or his prior protest. The second email contained letters of explanation for President White, Chancellor Herman and Provost Katehi. From: Frank, Sandra Key Finding Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:12 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: Info for Governor’s Office Attachments: Letter to Governors Office.doc; QA Rescind 10 Day.doc; QA Rescind 30 days.doc; template for rescind recipient responses.doc Importance: High Attached are 4 WORD files: Letter to the Lt. Governor’s Office (contains numbers); QA rescind letter after 10 days QA rescind letter after 10 days Template for responding to QA individuals who protest receiving the rescind letter. Please confirm if you will be sending to Mr. Schuller or if you need Larry or me to do so. From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:13 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: Letter to President Attachments: Letter to Joe White.doc; Letter to Chancellor Herman and Provost Katehi.doc Importance: High Attached are 2 WORD files: Letter to President (with reference to redacted) Letter to Provost/Chancellor (no reference to redacted) Please confirm that you will be sending these communications or alert us if you need Larry or me to do so. Minutes later, Frank sent the files in the above email to U. of I. President Joseph White via Kate Metz, his Executive Assistant. From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:31 PM To: [email protected] Subject: From Dean Ghosh Dean Ghosh asked me to forward this information to you. If I can provide any further information, please contact me.

Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 57

Below is Ghosh’s “Letter to Joe White.” While Ghosh explains the recruiting process, he also blames veterans for not moving fast enough to complete their application. However, Ghosh did not inform President White of the civilian/military quota (first 15-17, then 35 civlian/25 military) or that the 10- and 30-day rescind rules were developed after veterans applied.

One minute later, Frank sent Pat Quinn’s office copies of the 10- and 30-day rescind letters as well as DeBrock’s “template for rescind recipient responses.” These three documents, written by Ghosh and his staff, contained van der Hooning’s signature. From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:32 PM To: [email protected] Subject: From Dean Ghosh Attachments: Letter to Lt. Governors Office.doc; QA Rescind 10 Day.doc; QA Rescind 30 days.doc; template for rescind recipient responses.doc Importance: High Dean Ghosh asked me to forward the attached documents to you regarding the UIUC Executive MBA Program. If you have any questions, please contact me or Associate Dean Larry DeBrock ([email protected]). A few moments later, Frank sent Metz the “template for rescind recipient responses” written by DeBrock the day before. However, Frank cut and pasted the letter, including van der Hooning’s email signature, in the body of her email to Metz without attribution of authorship. Metz then forwarded it to President White as one email thread. See below:

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From: Metz, Kate Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:47 PM To: White, B. Joseph Subject: FW: From Dean Ghosh Attachments: template for rescind recipient responses.doc

Key Finding

Importance: High P.S.

From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:36 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: From Dean Ghosh Attachments: template for rescind recipient responses.doc Importance: High Here is the other attachment referred to in the letter. Dear I write in response to your recent email regarding your status with the Executive MBA program at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Your note seems to indicate a feeling that the removal of the Quick Admit status was also a rejection from the program. That is certainly not true. Indeed, in my letter I urged you to continue work toward completing your application package. And, I assured you that once the package was complete, your case would come before the admissions committee. While it is true that the admission cycle for this coming fall is running short and thus we could no longer hold a spot on the Quick Admit list for you, that does not change your opportunity to join the program through the decision of the admissions committee. When all the application materials arrive, the committee will review your case in its regular deliberations. Again, thanks for your interest in the program and I hope you do indeed complete the application submission. Robert G. van der Hooning Assistant Dean Professional and Executive Education University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The Illini Center 200 S. Wacker Dr – 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60606

Sandra Frank Associate Dean for Administration College of Business University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 333-1242 [email protected]

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C.

Following a Subpoena From The Inspector General, U. of I.’s Chief Ethics Officer, Donna McNeely, Sent Investigators Documents With van der Hooning’s Forged Signature

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McNeely sent the Inspector General the same 10-day and 30-day template rescind letters that Ghosh gave to Quinn’s office as well as copies of every letter sent with van der Hooning’s signature. However, McNeely did not explain the letter’s authorship or the forged signature:

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7.

PROTEST LETTERS FROM VETERANS AND THE FAUX INTERNAL ETHICS INVESTIGATION

SUMMARY • An internal protest written by van der Hooning was sent to Ghosh prior to actions taken to rescind military students • Protest letters were sent by rescinded veterans and active-duty personnel to President White, Chancellor Herman, Provost Katehi, Pat Quinn, Rahm Emanuel, Donald Rumsfeld and others • Joe White’s executive assistant, Kate Metz, received protest letters sent to President White and described them as a “writing campaign” • President White dispatched Sylvia Manning, UIC Chancellor, to investigate and contact Ghosh and van der Hooning on his behalf • After White received her report, Metz scheduled a meeting between White and van der Hooning. White spoke to Ghosh instead and cancelled the meeting with van der Hooning

A.

Protest Letter From van der Hooning to Ghosh Over Ethics

In the current “Clout Goes to College” scandal, U. of I. admissions staff complained about “Cat I” applicants given preferential treatment. However, nobody formally protested, filed an ethics complaint or contacted the Inspector General. In the “Clout-less” scandal, however, there is such a formal protest letter and ethics complaint made internally as well as through the Inspector General. The employee was terminated a few days after filing the complaints. After Memorial Day, DeBrock ordered van der Hooning to send rescind letters to 33 veterans and 1 civilian. DeBrock and Ikenberry called several times to inquire if the letters were sent, but van der Hooning refused and wrote his objections to Ghosh and Frank instead. According to U. of I. employees, DeBrock ordered van der Hooning’s staff to send the letters via overnight mail. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 1:27 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit Cc: Frank, Sandra Subject: weekend reflection

Key Finding

Dear Avijit, I write to you directly because we have not talked since our last meeting in Champaign and I’m getting so much direction from other people telling me “this is what Avijit wants.” I want to know directly from my boss that this is what you want me to do. I don’t want any miscommunication or ambiguity at this stage and want to know from you that the current course of action described herein is based on your direction. As you probably know, Larry came up to Chicago Friday to work on EMBA admissions based on the objectives/constraints that were decided in a meeting with you, him, Ike and Sandy. The purpose of the meeting was to cut down the number of military people planning to come to the EMBA program this September with Quick Admit status. Larry got most of the emails to/from these people from Jane White prior to arriving in Chicago so we proceeded quickly. Based on Larry’s analysis of where candidates stood in the pipeline with respect to 10-day Quick Admit cycle and other factors, we basically divided 55+ people into Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 62

groups. Today, rescind letters will be sent to approximately 33 military (active, reserve, retired) and 1 non-military. See rescind letters below, please edit as you wish. After a long Memorial Day weekend’s reflection, I wanted to respectfully give you my input. Regardless the circumstances that got us here, we are at a decision point today of how to handle 30-40 military in our admissions pipeline who have been given Quick Admit status. Many are going to summer school. Most were not given 10-day Quick Admit restrictions. Others have made significant alterations to their lives to come to our Program and are finishing up obligations this summer. You’ve told me recently that I’ve done a good job putting quality students into our program the past two years. This year is no exception. These military candidates are outstanding. Most of them are not active duty and would add to the richness and diversity of the class as have previous students with military backgrounds (e.g., leadership, discipline, dedication, positive attitude). Moreover, many of them are minorities as well. Again, I say these words very respectfully. First, I’m not comfortable with this from an ethical point of view. I prefer not to do it. Rescinding Quick Admit to 30-40 military on Memorial Day weekend seems wrong to me. Also, I’ve been told to send out a rescind letter with my signature only based on Friday's meeting -and that’s what you asked for. This is something I don’t do willingly but rather because I’ve been ordered to do so. I feel that non-compliance puts my job at risk and I definitely got that feeling last Friday when I questioned the ethics of what we were doing. Second, I feel our current plan exposes the College and University’s reputation to potential PR problems. This was such a positive initiative for everyone. Everyone at UIUC basked in the glow of the press releases and favorable coverage of this initiative. We were covered in over 100 newspapers, web sites, radio and TV stations as well as our own web sites… and supported by several public officials, including Congressman Rahm Emanuel, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Lt. Gov. Quinn. I’m concerned about the downside PR risk to the University. Per Dave’s input last week, University Public Affairs and Legal have not been consulted. Before we pull the trigger on this, I recommend we consult with them so at least they are prepared. Once the letters go out today, they can't be unsent. Again, I ask for reconsideration based on the alternatives described in my previous email – expand classroom “A” or teach 2 sections on the same day. Otherwise, if you want me to execute the letters today, I will do so, pending your instruction. Avijit, I felt a responsibility as your direct report to tell you how I felt about this. Please call or email to discuss.

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B.

Protest Letters from Veterans

Below are 5 protest letters from veterans and their supporters: Letter #1

To:

President of the University of Illinois Dean of the College of Business The Board of Trustees The Lt. Governor of Illinois Illinois State Treasurer Director of Veteran's Affairs The office of US Senator Barack Obama

June 8, 2006 Please allow me to express my disappointment in the recent actions of representatives of the University of Illinois and the entire organization. A press release was distributed in early March detailing how the University would offer up to 110 new academic scholarships for Illinois based military veterans to use in conjunction with the Illinois Veteran’s Grant and attend the 20 month Executive Master’s in Business Administration Program conducted here in Chicago. Upon receiving the information, I contacted a Mr. Robert van der Hooning, assistant Dean and Director of the Executive MBA program in Chicago. After a comprehensive review of my professional and academic background and an intensive personal interview, Mr. van der Hooning granted me a “Quick Admit” via email on April 17. It was explained that a “Quick Admit” was a conditional acceptance to the program based upon my completing a Statistics class and submitting the formal application. As per the conditions of the Quick Admit, I enrolled and started a Statistics class on June 16. I communicated this to Mr. van der Hooning via email and received a positive response. During that time I began collecting documentation for the official application. Let me make it perfectly clear that at no time was a deadline for the formal application communicated. I was given the impression that the additional coursework was more important than a completed form that basically reiterated what had been previously discussed. On June 1, I received a letter from the University of Illinois stating that since they had not heard from me and since they did not have my formal application, that they were rescinding the Quick Admit or conditional acceptance. Please note that I received such letter in the fifth week of the eight week course that I was told to complete. I could understand this action if I was given a deadline, but since the NEXT application decision date is June 16; there is no obvious reason for the letter. And, I have since learned that approximately 35 veterans received the same letter. Now on the surface this gives the impression that the University does not want to honor a commitment that they have made to the Citizens and Veterans of Illinois. I certainly hope that this is not the case. The University of Illinois offered a conditional acceptance, I will meet the terms of that agreement and now they should honor their commitments not only to me but to the other 30 or more Veterans who received the same agreement. Your response would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely,

Redacted Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 64

Letter #2

From: (redacted) J USA LTC USAR 377th TSC [mailto(redacted)] Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 10:13 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: Ben Bradley; White, Jane Subject: RE: Quick Admit to U of I Dr. van der Hooning, I’d like to provide you with a quick update on my application for the Executive MBA Program at the University of Illinois. As I am currently deployed overseas in Kuwait, it is taking me a little longer to gather some of the documents requested in the application process. I realize that I have missed the 10 day deadline, but I am still very interested in attending the University of Illinois and request an extension until Monday, the 5th of June. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused. Very Respectfully, (redacted) Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Letter #3

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 6:09 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: Re: From U of I - QUICK ADMIT STATUS Dean Van der Hooning, I am in receipt of your letter dated 30 May 06 wherein you state that it has been 30 days since this quick-admit was granted and that it is being rescinded as I have not yet completed the remainder of the application process. I have reviewed the below email and I can find no indication that such an action would occur. In fact, I have complied with your instructions and submitted the online application and application fee within the prescribed timeframe - per your email - to "hold [my] place in the Program." I am stunned because this email stated that following those steps would secure my place in the program and your letter of 30 May 2006 rescinds this offer without citing any policy or provision that allows you to take any such action. I have spoken with several others who appear to have received similar correspondence...thus leading me to believe that this is some sort of blanket action. This seems to be a direct contradiction to everything that I read about this program prior to seeking admission and calls into question the integrity of the university. I am hesitant to jump to conclusions, but this shows all indications of being discriminatory in nature as each of those with whom I've spoken are veterans as well. I would hope that the University of Illinois, initially established to educate returning WW II veterans, is not now discriminating against those whom it was chartered to serve. I am very excited about attending the program and do not want to see my admission revoked when I have followed your guidance to the letter. I am also quite troubled that a growing number of my fellow veterans seem to have received similar letters. I believe that these Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 65

revocations may be actionable and that they certainly have the potential to bring unfavorable national scrutiny to what appears to be blatant discrimination which directly contradicts the positive attention your program had garnered with the announcement of these scholarships. I would ask that you clarify this issue at your earliest convenience…. Letter #4

JOHN (redacted) (address redacted)

Key Finding

B.Joseph White, PHD President University of Illinois 1737 West Polk Street Chicago, IL 60612 Dear Mr. White This letter is in response to an e-mail I received from Mr. (redacted), an applicant for your Executive MBA Program, under the Veterans Quick Admit Program. I am not inclined to normally write a letter concerning any issue no matter how much I believe in it or disagree with it be it political or social. I have known (redacted) for over ten years he has served his country both in Somalia, and Iraq. I had the opportunity of having dinner with him the evening that he was informed that he received the Quick Admit from the University. I wish you could have been there to see and hear his enthusiasm as he spoke about the program and the University of Illinois and what it meant to him being recognized for his service to his country. It was therefore very disappointing when he sent me the e-mail and a copy of the letter Mr. Robert van der Hooning Assistant Dean of the Executive and Professional Program of the University stating the offer that had been extended to him had been rescind and apparently the acceptances of thirty other veterans. The reason given being that the application process had not been completed and implying that there was a thirty-day suspense to finalize the application process. I have visited the University’s website and gone through it quite carefully as well as downing loading The Executive MBA Program Pre-Application Checklist for Veterans. The checklist does not state any specific date for the completion of the application process. (redacted) is a very meticulous individual paying close attention to detail and timeline having served some of our country highest military and civilian leaders. Further under the section Decision Dates, it states that the Executive MBA program accepts candidates on a rolling basis. It further states that applicants will be notified within two weeks of the appropriate application submission. Unless there was a subsequent letter stating additional criteria for admission it appears that (redacted) meet all of your criteria. I did notice that your website prominently publicized the program and had the press release detailing the University partnering with the State of Illinois to award 110 scholarships. I would hope that the program was an honest attempt to recognize our country veterans and in particular the veterans of the state of Illinois for there service rather then an attempt for the University to obtain publicity. This is no way to treat the men and women of this conflict, let’s not have it be a repeat of the treatment of the Viet Nam veterans. I hope that the University will reconsider (redacted) and the other thirty Illinois Veterans decision.

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Letter #5

June 10, 2006 President B. Joseph White, I am writing in regards to a problem concerning the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign’s Executive MBA program. I applied for Quick Admit status to the Executive MBA program through U of I on April 11, 2006. I was accepted on April 17, 2006. With no warning, or advance notice, that offer was rescinded this past Friday, June 2, 2006. The letter I received dated May 30, 2006 stated that my application paperwork was not completed in a timely manner. However, I was never given a deadline for when my paperwork was due, even though I specifically asked for a date in an email I sent dated April 26, 2006 to Mr. van der Hooning, Assistant Dean, in the College of Business. I have maintained regular communication with Mr. Van der Hooning over the past two months, and it is my understanding from speaking with him over the phone, that he had no knowledge of this letter, and was not the one to send it out. I am concerned that the University and its administrators are not as enthusiastic about this program as Mr. van der Hooning and those of us who would like to attend. In preparation for the program to begin this fall, I have started a Financial Accounting class and a Statistics class as refresher courses. Tuition is covered by the Illinois Veterans Grant, but all of my books and supplies are paid for out of my own pocket. I have arranged for time away from work with my director. I have done everything that I was informed I needed to do. I don’t know what your involvement is in this program, or what you might be able to do, but I thought you would like to be aware that this is taking place. If you have any questions, or would like clarification on anything, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at (redacted) ext. x--- from 8am until 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. After 5pm, I can be reached at (redacted). Thank you in advance for your time and attention.

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C.

Protests from Rahm Emanuel and Illinois State Representative Tim Schmitz

On June 12, 2006, Rahm Emanuel faxed a protest letter to U. of I. President Joseph White on behalf of a veteran and constituent. The handwritten notes on the lower left indicate a copy was forwarded to Ghosh and Richard Schoell, Executive Director, Office of Governmental Relations.

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Following Congressman Emanuel’s intervention, we believe this veteran was re-admitted to the Executive MBA Program.

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D.

President White Asked UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning To Investigate after Receiving Veterans’ Protest Letters

In one of the most unusual aspects of this case, van der Hooning received a call from Robyn Sato, Assistant to then-UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning on behalf of U. of I. President White. Manning was outside van der Hooning’s chain of command. The Champaign-Urbana campus,

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that employed van der Hooning, is separate from the UIC Campus in Chicago. Metz sent Sato a copy of the same email she received from Sandy Frank with the “template for rescind recipient responses” document authored by DeBrock but containing van der Hooning’s email signature. From: Metz, Kate Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:45 PM To: Sato, Robyn (OAA) Subject: FW: From Dean Ghosh Attachments: template for rescind recipient responses.doc Importance: High

Key Finding

From: Frank, Sandra Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:36 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: From Dean Ghosh Attachments: template for rescind recipient responses.doc Importance: High Here is the other attachment referred to in the letter.

Sandra Frank Associate Dean for Administration College of Business University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 333-1242 [email protected]

After White received a strongly worded protest letter from a veteran complaining about “thirty veterans involved,” Metz wrote Sandra Frank, Ghosh and van der Hooning about a “letter writing campaign” rather than address the substance of this veteran’s complaint. From: john (redacted)@us.army.mil [mailto:john(redacted)@us.army.mil] Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2006 3:32 PM To: PresidentWhite; White, B. Joseph Cc: tva(redacted)@us.abcxyz.com Subject: Fwd: The Plot Thickens - Univ of Illinois Dr. White, please review the attached letter and circumstances of the rescinding of (redacted) and that of the other thirty veterans involved.

(redacted) The response from Joe White’s Executive Assistant, Kate Metz, is startling. From: Metz [mailto:Metz] Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 3:45 PM To: Frank, Sandra Cc: Ghosh, Avijit; Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: FW: The Plot Thickens - Univ of Illinois

Key Finding

Sandra, Looks like we have a writing campaign on the Quick Admit situation. Please advise. Thanks, Kate Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 72

Based on lawsuit documents interviews with U. of I. employees, van der Hooning talked to Sato on two occasions and provided her with several documents for her investigation. Sato provided Manning with details of her conversations with van der Hooning. Manning then informed White and a meeting was scheduled between van der Hooning and White on June 12, 2006. The White-van der Hooning meeting was cancelled at the last minute as Metz informed van der Hooning that Ghosh had been briefed about his conversations with Sato and he would “handle the matter internally.” A few days later, van der Hooning was gone. Ghosh led the Presidential Search Committee and nominated Joe White for his job as President of U. of I. Both Ghosh and White are former business school deans. Ghosh has since been appointed as a direct report to White with a $339,000 job at U. of I. in technology and economic development. E.

How A Confidential Ethics Complaint Was Shared Across UIC and UIUC

Prior to cancellation of the White-van der Hooning meeting, van der Hooning talked with Robyn Sato. This appeared odd to us because Sato worked for Chancellor Sylvia Manning at UIC and van der Hooning worked for the UIUC campus. However, once we talked to U. of I. employees, the important link in this chain became clear: Kate Metz, Joe White’s Executive Assistant. A simple chronology of events, supported by internal U. of I. emails and documents, shows how the details of van der Hooning’s ethics complaint were shared. He was terminated 2 weeks later. Here is the sequence of events: •

On June 7, 2006, Metz emailed Robyn Sato, an Assistant to Chancellor Sylvia Manning at UIC, with Sandy Frank’s email (see §7C).

•

On June 9, 2006, van der Hooning gave a confidential report to Robyn Sato on the phone. Her notes are to the right →. Sato’s hand-rwritten notes say “involved in something extremely illegal and unethical” and list Kate Metz’ phone number with “referred case w/discretion… KM will call him”

•

Later on June 9, 2006, van der Hooning sent Sato an email, letter and documentation. See next page.

•

On June 11, 2006, van der Hooning sent an email to Sato and mentions the names Sylvia Manning, Joe White and Kate Metz.

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This is van der Hooning’s letter to Sato on June 9, 2006: Dear Ms. Sato, Thanks for your call. Of course, I will cooperate with Chancellor Manning’s investigation. Attached please find several documents that will answer your questions about what happened with the military scholarship program announced on March 3.







Scholarship Press releases from U of I, Lt. Governor Quinn and FAQs published in print and web versions Internal document prepared by Sandy Frank about Scholarship-IVG partnership Complaint letters from veterans and active-duty military personnel Various emails that show the 110 scholarships was reduced – initially to 15-17 and then increased to 25 – by my boss, Sandy Frank, Larry DeBrock and Dave Ikenberry Various emails about the financial impact of IVG’s funding level on College of Business cash receipts Various emails documenting bias against veterans and preference given to civilians through altered admissions deadlines

Remember that IVG is a state-run program and the College of Business was partnering with it, as required by law, and marketing the benefits aggressively. The law on IVG is very clear about veterans’ rights and participating universities’ responsibilities. I told Avijit and his team to consult the university’s counsel, the ethics officer, public relations and the Chancellor before cutting the scholarship program back. You can reach me on my cell. Please don’t call me at the office. Robert This is van der Hooning’s letter to Sato on June 11, 2006:

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• •

• •

On June 12, 2006, van der Hooning’s phone conference with U. of I. President Joe White was cancelled On June 13, 2006, van der Hooning filed an ethics complaint with the State of Illinois Office for Executive Inspector General.

Between June 13, 2006 and June 28, 2006, van der Hooning visited with OEIG several times On June 28, 2006, van der Hooning was terminated

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8.

HOW DEAN GHOSH FALSIFIED ADMISSIONS DATA TO PAT QUINN

SUMMARY • Ghosh sends two letters containing falsified admissions data to Pat Quinn • Pat Quinn sends protest letter to senior U. of I. officials, including President White • U. of I. tells veterans not to apply for two years

A.

Pat Quinn’s Third Intervention on November 20, 2007, Was A Protest Letter To U. of I.’s President, Chancellor and Board of Trustees

Based on internal documents, emails, meetings with veterans and conversations with U. of I. faculty, Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel and their staffs intervened with Ghosh several times by phone and in writing beginning in June, 2006. These interventions followed public support by both men in press releases and public statements coordinated with U. of I. Public Relations in March, 2006. Their letters are shown below. In response, Ghosh sent this letter to Pat Quinn on June 7, 2006: As a courtesy to some of our candidates for admission to the class of 2008 of the Executive MBA program for the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign we offered to expedite the process. After an initial interview and information gathering, prospective students who met the profile of our class were give “Quick Admit” status and told to proceed with the formal application process. They were urged to move expeditiously on completing their application portfolio. Many of these Quick Admit applicants followed through and completed an application. These individuals have been confirmed by the admissions committee. However, many who received Quick Admit letters did not complete their application. As the admission cycle for the Fall class draws to a close, we could not continue to hold seats for these individuals without an application package that could be reviewed by the admissions committee. Doing so could potentially jeopardize opportunities for other applicants, including other IVG candidates. We have written these individuals and informed them that we could no longer hold the position on this expedited path, but that we certainly hoped they would continue to work on submitting a completed application to the program. Once complete, this application would be reviewed by the admission committee in its regular deliberations. It is important to note that were quite clear in our letter that we were not denying admission. Indeed, we offered strong encouragement for completing their application to the program. However, we simply cannot continue to hold open seats in the program for those individuals who have failed to complete an application…. Ghosh’s letter failed to disclose his previous decision to restrict veterans’ attendance and contained several false and intentionally misleading statements: •

Application deadlines were shortened to exclude veterans after they were accepted in order to meet the 35/25 quota set 2 weeks earlier

•

Veterans were blamed for not completing their application package but never told about new 10- and 30-day deadlines

•

No veteran was warned in advance that the new application deadlines could jeopardize their admission status until they received the rescind letter

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•

No civilian who applied after May 17, 2006 – the date when the Military Scholarship Program was cut back – was subject to any application deadline. Several civilians submitted their application materials as late as August.

•

Civilians were recruited and admitted for two months after accepted veterans were rescinded and others told the program was full

•

The admissions cycle was not drawing to a close – the web site for the Executive MBA Program listed several periodic decision dates for acceptance through August, 2006

•

Ghosh cut the Military Scholarship Program back because of IVG funding concerns stated in his email from May 11, 2006 – “veterans scholarship will affect our cash flow”

•

No veteran was accepted after May 17, 2006 – just 2 months after the Military Scholarship began and 4 months before the first day of class

B.

Ghosh Forced By Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel To Reinstate Previously Rescinded Veterans

After protests and interventions by state and federal officials, including a fax from Rahm Emanuel (see §7B) to President White on June 13, 2006, van der Hooning received an email from Larry DeBrock that stated all previously rescinded applicants would be un-rescinded. From: DeBrock, Larry Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 4:18 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: Ikenberry, David; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: Updates Avijit is in a meeting from 3:30-5:00 and has asked that me to send you this information. You should call him on his cell phone at 4:50 or so, as he will be walking back from Swanlund around then. Attached is a letter the Dean will send tomorrow morning to each Quick Admit person who received our letter telling them of the recision (sic) of the Quick Admit. The Dean will be transmitting this information to Emanuel's office later today or first thing in the morning. As you can see, we are reinstating the admission status to each person who originally received a Quick Admit notice from you in the preceding months. They must, of course, complete their admission packages according to the rules of the University and we have specified the deadline. Those who meet the conditions will be admitted just as your initial Quick Admit email stated. -larry

Larry DeBrock Associate Dean for Professional Programs, College of Business Professor of Economics and Business Administration 217.333.4553(voice) 217.244.6678(fax) The following day, Ghosh authored the “un-rescind” letter below and promised “the College will not waiver from its commitments.”

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We find Ghosh’s letter ironic because of how hard Ghosh and his staff tried to escape its commitment by reducing the 110 scholarships through a quota system, altering admissions deadlines for veterans and recruiting civilians to take their place. Ghosh’s statement, “… the manner in which the Quick Admit was conferred or administered has created confusion,” is also ironic because it was Ghosh and his senior team that developed the 10- and 30-day rescind rules to disqualify veterans from his College’s MBA programs.

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However, just a week later, DeBrock backtracked on the promise of a one-year deferment in the above “un-rescind” letter and the original rescind letters of May 30 (see §5A). See below: From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 8:11 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: White, Jane; Koengeter, Lisa Subject: Quick Admits Bob; … Even more disconcerting is that Lisa's database says that these are deferred Quick Admits, meaning they join (redacted) as 8 folks we have already admitted to next fall's class. 1) Is that correct? Do we have 8 admits already sitting in chairs for the Sept 7 class?

C.

Ghosh Sends Letter to Pat Quinn Containing Falsified Admissions Data While Running a Behind-the-Scenes Campaign with DeBrock to Rescind Veterans a Second Time

Immediately after sending the “un-rescind letter” to scores of veterans, Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel, DeBrock wrote Ghosh and Ikenberry the email below. This is probably the most disturbing email we uncovered in our research. With a class size estimated at about 85 – not including additional civilians that applied and were admitted later – DeBrock discusses how confirming a “60 seat constraint” in writing with van der Hooning would be a “dangerous thing.” From: DeBrock, Larry Sent: Friday, June 16, 2006 5:21 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit Cc: Ikenberry, David Subject: Chicago EMBA

Key Finding

Dave and I joined Bob in our admissions committee meeting…. After the meeting, Dave and I spoke on our cell phones. It is clear to both of us that Bob is working against the College right now…. He said he was having a great day. Dave and I both believe he remains intent on bringing home as many as he can. We believe his goal is two sections of 40, regardless of Dave’s repeated request during our conference call to bring in a class of 60 or less. We discussed writing him to confirm our hope for the “60 seat constraint” but both of us agreed it would be a dangerous thing to put such a request in writing, given that we just sent letters confirming our backing of his Quick Admits. In early July, 2006, after van der Hooning was terminated and less than one month after Ghosh’s “un-rescind letter,” Quinn demanded to know from Ghosh why he was still receiving complaints about U. of I.’s Military Scholarship Program. The story of one veteran, Michael Purvis, illustrates how ruthlessly the rescind strategy and quota was pursued a second time behind the scenes. Purvis received national attention and his story was featured in a Christian Science Monitor article29 on April 17, 2006, and mentioned by former 29

see http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0417/p01s02-legn.html Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 79

SECDEF Donald Rumsfeld in a press conference with CNN. A 1st Sergeant with 17 years in the Army, Purvis also spent 8 years in the Illinois National Guard while working as a technology manager. He was on active-duty soldier in Iraq at the time he applied for a military scholarship and admission to the Executive MBA Program. According to admissions records, Purvis earned his undergraduate degree with honors from Western Illinois University and was taking postgraduate courses in information technology to help him transition back to the private sector and support his family. His GPA in these advanced courses was between A and A-. Purvis’ story was featured Purvis was one of the veterans who was accepted and given the military scholarship but rescinded by DeBrock over Memorial Day weekend in 2006. The news reached Rahm Emanuel and Pat Quinn, who strongly protested U. of I.’s actions to Ghosh and others. Two weeks later, Purvis was accepted a second time. But with a quota of 25 military and 35 civilians, a second round of rescind decisions began – this time by phone instead of letter – and DeBrock rescinded Purvis a second time. Purvis wrote on July 9, 2006: “Well, I got a call from the Dean, Larry DeBrock… they denied me admission because my Bachelors from Western Illinois wasn't good enough….” Pat Quinn demanded an answer. Ghosh sent this response on July 14, 2006, without revealing the second round of veteran cutbacks involving Purvis: Key Finding

“…we have admitted and offered scholarships to 61 veterans. Our class for the year is now full. We have been formally admitting the students as soon as all the paperwork is coming in. I am disappointed and somewhat baffled by calls you are receiving. Could it be from veterans who are still trying to apply for this year? This year’s admission cycle for the Chicago program and the full time program in Champaign for all students has expired. We will be offering veterans scholarships again for next year.” Ghosh’s feigned disappointment, wholesale denial of wrongdoing and inflated veteran admissions numbers appear both defiant and naïve given the scrutiny of multiple interventions over the past month by Quinn and Emanuel. Shortly after Pat Quinn’s intervention, Purvis was offered admission for a 3rd time. What happened to the other veterans who applied or waited in line is unclear.

D.

Veterans Told “Class Full” for Two Years

But the discrimination against veterans didn’t stop. One veteran wrote the EMBA program on July 11, 2006, asking if he could still join the class that began in September. Although civilians were still admitted after July 11, 2006, the EMBA program wrote that not only was the class full in September, 2006, but ALSO for the NEXT class beginning in 2007. According to the EMBA web site, the admissions committee began review of applications six months later. From: Redacted Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 2:44 PM To: embamailbox Cc: Redacted Subject: Executive MBA Program To Whom It May Concern: Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 80

I am currently an active duty Air Force officer and pilot that will be transferring to the Air Force Reserves on 2 August. After more than 5 years of military service, I believe that I meet all of your eligibility requirements for IVG benefits and would like to know more about your executive MBA program. If you could answer the following questions for me I would be grateful…. Is there any chance of joining the class of 2008 this upcoming semester and if so, is it too late to apply for IVG benefits? From: embamailbox Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 11:29 AM To: Redacted Subject: RE: Executive MBA Program Hello Redacted, Thank you for inquiring about the Executive MBA Program at UIUC. In response to your questions… At this time it looks as though our class starting in the Fall of 2007 will be full, so I would recommend starting the process of applying for the class starting in Fall 2008.

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9.

THE COVER-UP: FALSE STATEMENTS MADE BY SENIOR U. OF I. OFFICIALS TO PAT QUINN, RAHM EMANUEL AND THE PRESS

SUMMARY • Pat Quinn wrote a protest letter in November, 2007, to President White complaining that U. of I. broke its promise and demanded the names of veterans who received or were denied admission; White refused to provide the names Pat Quinn requested but the University later published the names in Chicago Tribune advertisements • Robin Kaler and Thomas Hardy, U. of I. Public Relations officials, gave varying stories to the Press about the timeframe of the Military Scholarship Program. Kaler failed to disclose she confirmed all program details in writing when the program began • After rescind letters were sent to veterans over Memorial Day weekend in 2006, Ghosh and Kaler told the Lt. Governor and the Press that the Military Scholarship Program enrolled between 61-76 veterans. The correct number was 35 • All references to the Military Scholarship Program were deleted from U. of I. web sites and brochures in 2006; IVG tuition benefits for veterans were limited to a maximum 30% of tuition in Champaign At the heart of the controversy is one simple question: Did U. of I. promise 110 full-ride MBA scholarships for the 2006-2007 academic year30 or not? We found no email, or heard of any conversation or document, that indicated the timeframe was more than one year.

A.

U. of I. Chancellor Richard Herman Admits “110 All At Once” to Investigative Detectives from Inspector General

At the time of this writing, we are trying to obtain a copy of handwritten notes from UIUC Chancellor Richard Herman’s testimony to investigative detectives on September 14, 2006, from the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General. We have been told the following Q&A occurred by two sources over the phone and email: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A:

Were you informed how the scholarships would be administered? I remember talking to Ghosh Where are you getting the $? I asked Ghosh. He said ISAC was going to help. Were the 110 all at once? Yes. U of I said 110 scholarships, right? Yes.

We will publish the handwritten notes as soon as we can obtain them and verify authenticity.

B.

U. of I. Officials Made Varying Statements Were Made About the Timeframe and Scale of the Military Scholarship Program

In this section, we probe this issue through statements made by Ghosh and Public Relations spokespersons Kaler31 and Hardy32 to the Press and written exchanges between President White 30

The 2007 academic year runs July 2006 through June 2007 Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 82

and Pat Quinn.33 We compare these public statements against internal documents, emails and web sites from U. of I. We first examine a representative sample of public statements made by U. of I. to the Press: 1. On July 16, 2006, Ghosh wrote Pat Quinn claiming 61 veterans were admitted and the Military Scholarship Program would continue the following year: “...we have admitted and offered scholarships to 61 veterans…. We will be offering veterans scholarships again for next year.”34 2. On July 18, 2006, Kaler expanded Ghosh’s admissions number from 61 to 76 and stated the timeframe was 3-4 years with ABC News: “The program certainly will not be 110 students this year. It was never meant to be. We committed to that number over 3-4 years… We're going to honor every promise he made…as many as 76 people.35 3. Six months later on January 7, 2007, Hardy told ABC News about a 3-year timeframe: “He (van der Hooning) had committed improperly and incorrectly 110 from the get go, when the intention of the university was 110 over a 3 year period." We found no written evidence or any person that supported Kaler and Hardy’s claims. However, Kaler contradicted Hardy two months after his statement to ABC News. 4. On March 6-7, 2007, about 6 months after the Executive MBA program started classes, Kaler revised her earlier statement and redefined the timeframe as “does not specify” and disputed the validity of the Quick Admit process used by the Executive MBA Program in a statement to the Daily Illini: “This year, 60 percent of the class receives these benefits, or 39 students... We honored every commitment, military or civilian, regardless of whether they were authorized…. Now (the press release) does not specify a time frame. In hindsight, I wish it would have…. “… the University does not honor any such Quick-Admit process over the normal application process.” 5. One week later on March 12, 2007, Kaler changed the timeframe to “several years” and “uncertain” to the Associated Press: “We made a commitment to accept 110 military veterans over several years… future plans are uncertain.” In the same Associated Press story on March 12, 2007, Quinn’s veteran affairs aide, Eric Schuller, expressed the Lt. Governor’s position:

31

Associate Chancellor for Public Relations in Champaign, works for Chancellor Richard Herman Executive Director of the Office for University Relations, works for President Joseph White 33 The letters between Lt. Governor Quinn and President White are reprinted below in Section E. 34 The Military Scholarship Program was vacated in July, 2006. Veteran benefits were reduced to 30-40% of tuition (see http://www.illinoisptmba.uiuc.edu/M/Admissions/Financial+Aid/Military+Scholarship.htm) 35 Kaler’s assertion about “3-4 years” means the scholarship program, funded by IVG, would extend to the class beginning in September, 2009 or 2010 and lasting until 2011 or 2012 since the MBA program last two years. 32

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“They promised 110 spots. We’re kind of disappointed that they didn’t do it all in the first year. What we’re expecting is that they be done as quickly as possible, meaning in the next coming year.” 6. On November 27, 2007, President White wrote Pat Quinn and stated the number of veterans with “IVG commitment” grew to 46 and the timeframe was now four years.

C.

U. of I. Internal Documents Contradict Statements by Ghosh, Kaler and Hardy and Show a Clear Understanding of the 2006 Timeframe and Eligibility Details

We contrasted the above statements against publicly available documents and internal communications provided to us by U. of I. staff and faculty. We were surprised at the number and specificity of internal documents from U. of I. that contradicted each public statement in the above section. We present evidence in chronological order: 1. On March 1 and March 4, 2006, Kaler received emails from van der Hooning about the Military Scholarship Program’s timeframe and conditional admit procedure in FAQ and Press Release documents. Kaler acknowledged his email on March 6, 2006, and responded, “I’ll pass it on. Thanks.” The FAQ document van der Hooning sent Kaler, shown in §2, stated the scholarship program was intended for MBA classes that began in September, 2006, and provided a process for 72-hour conditional admission. FAQ #3 Q: How does the University of Illinois MBA scholarship work? A: … (IVG eligibility explained in depth…) Veterans who complete this interview will receive a conditional “yes or no” program acceptance within 72 hours. FAQ #4 Q: How long will the scholarship be available? A: The scholarship is available for students who enroll in the Executive MBA Program in Chicago or the MBA Program at the Urbana-Champaign campus beginning in September 2006. 2. On March 3, 2006, the Executive MBA Program web site defined the scope and timeframe as “students who will be part of the Executive MBA classes that begin the Fall of 2006”. FAQ #4 Q: How long will the scholarship be available? A: The scholarship is available for students who will be part of the Executive MBA classes that begin the Fall of 2006.36

36

The Executive MBA Program began its classes after Labor Day in September, 2006. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 84

3. On March 7, 2006, at Ghosh’s request, van der Hooning sent Kathleen Pecknold (Office of the Chancellor) and Terry McClelland (State Relations) the FAQ document: From: Van der Hooning, Robert [mailto:Van der Hooning, Robert] Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 7:47 PM To: 'Pecknold, Kathleen' Cc: [email protected] Subject: RE: College of Business, veteran grants Attachments: Exec MBA Military FAQ.pdf (363 KB); Exec MBA Military PR.pdf (382 KB) Kathleen, happy to talk about this. I'm actually meeting a group of vets this afternoon in Deerfield. Kathleen, Terry... here are some important docs I send candidates…. 4. On March 15, 2006, van der Hooning sent Ghosh (via Assistant Jane Kappes) electronic copies of the FAQ document and Press Release for internal distribution. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 12:33 PM To: Kappes, Jane Subject: Attachments: Exec MBA Military FAQ.pdf (363 KB); Exec MBA Military PR.pdf (382 KB) Jane – here you go. 5. In our view, the clearest evidence of U. of I.’s understanding and intent comes from Associate Dean Sandra Frank on March 20 and March 22, 2006 (works directly for Ghosh), who published an internal “IVG Partnership” document (reprinted in §2): From: Frank, Sandra [mailto:Frank, Sandra] Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 12:30 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: Draft Document Attachments: IVG Partnership Draft.doc (4 KB)

Key Finding

Attached is the draft document regarding implementation of the IVG/BUS program for this coming academic year. Avijit has reviewed and cleared it from this end…. 6. On April 26, 2006, the Part-time MBA Program web site, managed by Miller, defined the timeframe of the scholarship program as spring of 2006 through summer of 2008: Q: How long will these scholarships be available? A: These scholarships are available for students who will be part of the Part-Time Evening MBA classes that begin the spring of 2006 through the summer of 200837. Miller also published Frank’s “IVG Partnership” document on April 26, 2006 on the Part-time MBA web site38 and specified the 2006 timeframe. 7. On May 9, 2006, van der Hooning received an email from Hardy, U. of I.’s top PR official who works for President White, asking him to contact a veteran employed by a friend.

37

This is period of time required to earn an MBA in the Part-time MBA Program which begins in academic year 2006-2007 see http://www.illinoisptmba.uiuc.edu/NR/rdonlyres/4072DDE9-D611-433B-8BA48D34DD1C298F/0/IVG_Partnership_guidelines_for_FT_and_PT_MBA.pdf 38

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From: Hardy, Thomas Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 10:29 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: interested party A good friend of mine owns/operates an energy company and one of his employees is trying to decide between DePaul and UIUC… Could you contact him and answer some of his questions?… I’ve heard the Rumsfeld39 audio. I hope things are going well. From: Van der Hooning, Robert [mailto:Van der Hooning, Robert] Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 10:51 AM To: Hardy, Thomas Subject: RE: interested party just talked with him, will handle today From: Hardy [mailto:Hardy] Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 4:04 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: Illinois Executive MBA Program Thanks for the quick work… 8. On May 11, 2006, the day the Military Scholarship Program was cut back, there was a revealing email exchange van der Hooning and Ghosh – their first emails to each other about this issue. We view these emails as especially important since they reveal state of mind prior to public outcry or litigation. There is no mention of a 3-year timeframe for the Military Scholarship Program.

39

Key Finding

From: Ghosh, Avijit [mailto:Ghosh, Avijit] Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 1:24 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: Follow up

From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 4:09 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: RE: Follow up

Larry mentioned to me his conversation with you regarding admissions. I am glad that the numbers are looking good. As I had mentioned to you bringing in a class of 45 or so good students should be the target. You have brought in good classes the last two years (the faculty feels good about that)…. Larry also said that you mentioned a potential second cohort—you must not do that. We are not ready for a second cohort this year. A good class of around 45-50 should be the target. Also—we need to make sure that we will have some additional clash flow from the additional students so we need to think about how the veterans scholarship will affect our cash flow. You cannot

… I’m disappointed and surprised, though…. We’re managing a pretty large funnel of prospective students (> 150 right now) with an estimated 60/40 mix of military to civilian…. If you are right about IVG funding being a lesser rate than last year, then I hear you are saying that you want to maximize margin by minimizing the # of IVG-assisted students in the class…. Out of 45-50, what’s your target # and mix preference? When we went out with our PR on March 3, I thought it was clear weren’t targeting a total class of 45-50 given we announced 110 fullride scholarships…. Otherwise we should have

The “Rumsfeld audio” in Hardy’s email refers to a CNN interview on April 17, 2006 with SECDEF Donald Rumsfeld Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 86

necessarily count on IVGA money at the same rate as last year….

gone out there with a 100 scholarships over 4 years….

One would expect, if Kaler and Hardy are to be believed, that Ghosh’s initial response would have been incredulity or anger that van der Hooning admitted 70 veterans – in addition to 25 civilians – for classes starting in 2006 if there was a 3-4 year plan at that time. In fact, van der Hooning’s initial response to Ghosh, “Otherwise we should have gone out there with a 100 scholarships over 4 years or something like that,” reveals van der Hooning’s reaction to Ghosh’s cash flow concerns over IVG. We saw no email or communication from Ghosh or his staff indicating a timeframe for the Military Scholarship Program other than just for classes starting in 2006. In fact, we found no statement by any U. of I. official regarding a timeframe other than 2006 until ABC News broke the story in January 2007. Similarly, we found no document, email or communication that suggested the 72-hour conditional acceptance process known as Quick Admit was challenged in any way (see §5E, Rescind Letters and Discrimination) until U. of I. spoke to the Press. To the contrary, we found support of this process in Ghosh’s letter to Pat Quinn and formal acknowledgement of “conditional admission pending documents” by the Graduate College on its web site.

D.

Statements Made About Classroom Space and Faculty Availability

We begin by examining U. of I.’s public statements: 1. On July 14, 2006, in an email to ABC News, Kaler wrote: “We’re going to honor every promise he made… as many as 76 people. We’ll have to hold some classes in a dining room retrofitted at great expense.” 2. Later on March 6, 2007, in Kaler’s interview with the Daily Illini, she denied there was sufficient classroom space to accommodate all 110 scholarships: "The max capacity of the room, and there is only one, is 60. The University doesn't have the additional faculty even if there was another room." U. of I.’s internal documents contradict Kaler. There are 3 classrooms and EMBA classes are held on alternating weekends. Classroom “C”, that adjoins the “dining room” (aka “Illinois Room), was approved for modification in May - 4 months prior to the start of classes – and before any dispute over the military scholarship program. Other classrooms were modified as well. From: Frank, Sandra [mailto:Frank, Sandra] Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 5:37 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: Freeman, George; Nelson, Carol; Lauder, Norma; Solomon, Ira Subject: RE: audio

Key Finding

… In addition, you may also work with George on the required bid process to obtain proposals to bump-out the classroom into the luncheon space….

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The “bump-out” involved extending the south wall in Classroom “C” – a 3rd classroom – about 30 feet into the Illinois Room. This involved demising 1 wall and constructing 2 others, light electrical work and the purchase of additional desks and chairs. Second, there are 3 classrooms on the 4th floor of the Illini Center – not 1 – and the Executive MBA Program met on alternating weekends. The Illini Center also had space on the 1st floor (“Orange and Blue Room”) and space available for lease on the lower level, 5th, 6th and 7th floors that was negotiated with the Landlord in 2005 with six-figure construction allowances. Also, as emails in §10 show, the College negotiated no-cost space at Allstate’s Education Center in Northbrook for a 2nd Part-time MBA Program with 3 additional state-of-the-art classrooms for 120 people. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange offered the College use of its classrooms as well. Third, the College of Business employs close to 200 professors. The Executive MBA Program, according to its current website, employs only 18, and each is paid approximately $6,000 per weekend for 6-7 hours of teaching. E.

Statements Made to the Press by David Ikenberry, Chairman of Finance Department at College of Business, Were False and Misleading

David Ikenberry is currently Associate Dean of Executive Education and Chair of the Finance Department (one of 3 academic departments at the College of Business). Ikenberry denied involvement with the problems with the Military Scholarship Program prior to July, 2006. However, the emails he sent and received show Ikenberry was a key participant in the rescind strategy and a member of the Admissions Committee that Ghosh formed to cut back the Military Scholarship Program in May, 2006. On March 6, 2007, in an interview by the Daily Illini, David Ikenberry is quoted: “Ikenberry said he is only the interim director, and before July 1, 2006, he was not aware of any of the issues that were going on…. ‘I was aware primarily as a (general faculty member) - on a month-by-month basis - of what's going on.’" We present email and photographic40 evidence that Ikenberry was aware and working on strategies to comply with Ghosh’s directive to reduce the 110 military scholarships to “15-17” and replace veterans with civilians. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 10:43 AM To: Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra; DeBrock, Larry; Ikenberry, David Subject: options going forward

Key Finding

I spent time with Dave brainstorming our current situation over the past 2 days… The scenarios are based on our existing Classroom "A"… I did not assume anything about "B" or "C"…. I've asked a friend of mine who built 3 classrooms at the International Bankers School I ran... It's not unreasonable to expand the capacity of the room by 30-40% without moving walls. Scenarios • Scenario 1 - 60 students. Constraint: 15-17 military • Scenario 2 - 60 students. Admit all civilians committed to already, fill rest with military 40

See Section 4D for photograph of working session Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 88

• • •

Scenario 3 - 80 students. Constraint: 15-17 military Scenario 4 - 80 students. Constraint: 50-50 mix Scenario 5 - 80 students. Admit all civilians committed to already, fill rest with military

The following scenarios are based on 1) no modification of Classroom "A" and 2) expansion with better internal layout and design. The variables I played with below address AG's directive of 1517 military in the class (max)…. Again, Ghosh confirms the “15-17” number and copies Ikenberry and others on his staff. From: Ghosh, Avijit [mailto:Ghosh, Avijit] Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 1:31 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert; Frank, Sandra; DeBrock, Larry; Ikenberry, David Subject: RE: options going forward Thanks, this is very helpful. We will try to discuss ASAP. AG Ikenberry’s denials of involvement to the Daily Illini41 are contradicted by 215 emails we saw between Ikenberry and van der Hooning during the first 6 months of 2006. This email from Ikenberry documents his contribution to the rescind strategy, preference for civilians and bias against veterans just two months after the Military Scholarship Program was launched. From: Ikenberry, David Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 4:27 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: DeBrock, Larry; Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra Subject: RE: marching orders I know time is short and you are on deadline, however one bullet I would add is to look at the cases in the "civilian pipeline" and break them down into various categories from hot prospects (because of .... ) to new, undeveloped prospects (because of initial phone contact or .....). The logic here is to 1) give us a better appreciation for what the civilian challenge really is at this point in order to produce a class of 60, 2) develop an active strategy to cultivate the promising cases and convert them into admits, and 3) use this information to help us efficiently use our remaining time before fall. In short, let's spend effort in thoroughly understanding our current civilian pipeline and convert these into hard admissions before moving in other directions. I mention only so that this gets on to the list below. This analysis of civilians in the pipeline clearly takes a backseat to solving the immediate issue of how to shrink down the number of quick admits (veterans). I defer to others to provide more clarity beyond what I suggest here. The “list below” in Ikenberry’s email refers to the list of “marching orders” van der Hooning received from DeBrock on which Ikenberry was copied. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 3:30 PM To: DeBrock, Larry; Ikenberry, David Cc: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: marching orders

41

Daily Illini (March 7, 2007): “Ikenberry said he is only the interim director, and before July 1, 2006, he was not aware of any of the issues that were going on. ‘I was aware primarily as a (general faculty member) - on a month-by-month basis - of what's going on,’ Ikenberry said.” Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 89

Here are the marching orders I just got on the phone from you. • • • • •

Class size - 60 No expansion/modification of Classroom "A" - so I'll call off the help I was getting to redo that room Class mix: 35 civilian, 25 military Manage rescind/attrition hard on military side to reduce from where we are now - about 60 to 25 We will meet tomorrow to work on each of the Quick Admits/Admits on military side to develop systematic process to reduce to 25

I'll meet you tomorrow morning at the IC at 10 AM to work on the above. I have it right? Ikenberry also failed to disclose to the Daily Illini that he was a member of the new Admissions Committee formed by Ghosh when the rescind strategy was created in mid-May, 2006. He participated in development of the rescind strategy, admissions reviews and reviewed application packets of prospective students from DeBrock which the following emails illustrate: From: Ikenberry, David Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 6:52 AM To: Ghosh, Avijit; Frank, Sandra; DeBrock, Larry Subject: FW: Candidate Letter Attachments: Letter-2-eleven.doc

Key Finding

I made some minor changes and also added a second closing sentence. If a candidate takes the time to make a full and complete application and the candidate still has the impression that the College/EMBA program may or may not accept that application, I see no reason in making sure they are aware that this conventional path is open. By the same token, I don’t think we should encourage them to apply if we are only going to reject them. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 8:50 AM To: DeBrock, Larry; Ikenberry, David Subject: recruiting/admissions question Larry told me last week we are part of a 3-man Admissions Committee for EMBA now…. From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 10:44 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert; Ikenberry, David Cc: White, Jane; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: More packets for the committee Last Friday, Jane brought up 5 packages which I have now reviewed: (redacted). I have left the packages with Dave's secretary and once he has reviewed them, we should have a conference call and get these under process.

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F.

Pat Quinn’s November, 2007, Letter Complains That U. of I. Reneged on Its Promise and Demands a Full Accounting from President White, Chancellor Herman and the Board of Trustees

Almost a year and a half after the military scholarship program began, Pat Quinn demanded the names of veterans who received or were denied admission to U of I.

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G.

President B. Joseph White Responds to Pat Quinn’s Letter with Exaggerated Admissions Data and False Information President White’s letter below to Pat Quinn contains false statements about enrollment, admissions policy and privacy when juxtaposed against existing U. of I. policies and internal documents.

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We refute three claims in President White’s letter: “blind” admissions process, enrollment numbers, and privacy.42 1. Admissions Process Is Not “Blind.” President White’s statement, “… MBA Programs

evaluate and admit ‘blind,’ meaning that unless an applicant chooses to include information about a military background in his or her application, reviewers have no idea whether that student is military or IVG eligible,” is disproved by U. of I.’s MBA application and financial aid forms,43 the Graduate College application44 and statements made by Associate Dean for Executive Education, Dave Ikenberry, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Larry DeBrock. First, U. of I. recorded military status in the admissions database. See the 4th column “Type” - that lists an applicant’s background as “IVG” or “Civilian” and the 12th column that lists date of “IVG Discharge”. This email was sent to other members of the EMBA Admissions Committee, staff and Dean. Names, GPAs and referees were redacted for privacy.

42

(i) U. of I. admissions databases that record military/civilian status; (ii) enrollment/financial aid application forms that ask applicants about military status and work history; (iii) U. of I.’s internal training course on FERPA; (iv) Chicago Tribune advertisements in July, 2008, listing student/employer names; (v) May, 2008, Commencement bulletin. 43 http://www.mbachicago.uiuc.edu/pdf/emba_application.pdf - Executive MBA application; https://www3.business.uiuc.edu/MBA_Application/forms/MBA_App_Form.pdf - Full-time and part-time MBA application 44 http://www.grad.uiuc.edu/Admissions/apply/begin/domestic.cfm – see “Statements” inside application form Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 93

From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 1:36 PM To: Frank, Sandra; Ikenberry, David; Van der Hooning, Robert; White, Jane; Ghosh, Avijit Subject: Updated Spreadsheet Here is an updated spreadsheet…. Applicant First Name

Applicant Last Name

Status

Type

Date of Quick Admit

Al Alan Anthony Arthur

Rescind QA Lost Pending App Material Letter of Admission Sent

IVG Civilian Unknown Civilian

8-Mar-06

Benjamin Beth Brad Brian Brian Bryan Carla Chenhwa (Richard) Chris Christian

Conditional Admit Tuition Deposit Paid Conditional Admit Conditional Admit Conditional Admit Pending App Material Pending App Material Pending App Material

IVG Civilian Civilian IVG IVG IVG Civilian Civilian

28-Apr-06

Conditional Admit Tuition Deposit Paid

IVG Civilian

14-May-06

5-May-06 24-Apr-06 1-Apr-06

Application No 10-day

No 10-day No 10-day

Resume

Transcripts

GPA

03/17/06 03/17/06 12/25/05 Online In Progress Complete - 3/8/06 03/08/06

degree-XYZ degree-XYZ degree-XYZ degree-XYZ

x.yy x.yy x.yy x.yy

05/06/06 Complete - 2/3/06

degree-XYZ degree-XYZ degree-XYZ degree-XYZ degree-XYZ degree-XYZ degree-XYZ degree-XYZ

x.yy x.yy x.yy x.yy x.yy x.yy x.yy x.yy

degree-XYZ degree-XYZ

x.yy x.yy

Online In Progress Online In Progress 03/31/06

Completed - 3/1/06 Online In Progress Complete

Sponsorship IVG Discharge Letter 03/13/06

03/17/06

03/31/06

Second, U. of I. application and financial forms ask applicants to describe their military background and certify the accuracy of said information in a signed statement: a. “Will you be receiving financial support or sponsorship from a company, the military, government agency, or other sources other than personal and/or family support?” (Fulland Part-time MBA application) b. “List Honors, Awards, and Certifications, Including Academic, Military, Professional, And Civic” (Executive MBA application) c.

“Will you be receiving financial support or sponsorship from a company, the military or student loans?” (Executive MBA application)

d. “Please submit your resume. List your non-academic training experience (business, professional, military, etc.).” (Graduate College application) In addition, each applicant is required to sign a Statement of Certification that reads: “I

understand that withholding pertinent information requested on this application or giving false information will make me ineligible for admission to the University or subject to dismissal.” We doubt any veteran applicant feels s/he has the freedom to not disclose his/her military background on an application form. It is not logical for President White to expect that military veterans and active-duty personnel not disclose years of experience in the US Armed Forces, not submit a complete résumé or not answer questions on a U. of I. application. President White’s choice of words, “unless an applicant chooses to include information about a military background,” misrepresents U. of I.’s position and stated intent. Third, President White’s position is contradicted by David Ikenberry, then Interim Associate Dean for Executive Education, in his statement reported by the Daily Illini on March 7, 2007: "What we're really encouraging people to do is if they are eligible (for the IVG) to get in contact with us"45 – (Daily Illini Investigative report: Scholarships fall short)

45

http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2007/03/07/News/Investigative.Report.Scholarships.Fall. Short-2761318.shtml Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 94

In fact, after the Office of Executive Inspector General subpoenaed documents from U. of I., Dave Ikenberry wrote a memo (see next page) regarding how future military applicants would be limited in future years. Clearly, if Dave Ikenberry feels a policy can be developed to limit the number of veterans in College of Business MBA programs, admissions is not “blind.”

2. Enrollments Overstated. President White’s statement that U. of I. “awarded 75 full scholarships to date” during 2006 and 2007 is inconsistent with 2008 Graduation records, the Commencement bulletin published by U. of I. in May 2008, and an advertisement in the Chicago Tribune on July 6, 2008 listing the names of all Executive MBA graduates (see end of this §for actual documents). While President White’s letter discredits earlier claims by Ghosh and Kaler to Pat Quinn and ABC News (see §9A), his statements are contradicted through internal documents we reviewed: a. Scholarship Amount Reduced to 30% of Tuition Advertised on Web Site. Pat Quinn’s letter asks for an accounting of all veterans on “full scholarship.” President White’s letter Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 95

parses that request into “IVG Commitment.” However, several veterans in 2006 and 2007 only received partial scholarship rather than “full scholarship.” As proof, we refer to the MBA web site which states financial aid is limited to a maximum of 40% of tuition inclusive of IVG for veterans46 (see §G below: 10% merit/need and 30% IVG). b. Veteran enrollments overstated. There were 35 military veterans in the Executive MBA Program in 2006, not 41 or 39. This was confirmed by graduation records published in the Commencement bulletin in May, 2008, and several Chicago Tribune advertisements in July, 2008, that list names of graduates and their employers. President White’s 15% accounting error, albeit small, discredits earlier claims by former Dean Avijit Ghosh and Assistant Chancellor Robin Kaler claiming 61 or 76 veterans received the military scholarship. c.

Part-time MBA Program started in 2007. President White’s statement that 1 veteran received an “IVG commitment” for the Part-time MBA Program in 2006 is false for a simple reason: Part-time MBA classes began two months before the announcement of the Military Scholarship Program in March, 2006. The next class did not begin until 2007.

3. Privacy and FERPA47 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). This is a red herring. Pat Quinn requested a list of students who received the military scholarship and those that applied but did not receive it. Given the University’s release of this information on web sites and newspapers, President White’s privacy argument is moot. Pat Quinn’s Request

President White’s Response

(i) “…listing of all veterans who have thus far received the tuition waiver from the College of Business”

“… (FERPA) protects the confidentiality of students’ educational records, so I cannot share specific information about those who have been admitted.”

(ii) “…list of all veterans who have applied for and been denied admission.”

President White’s argument to withhold names requested by Pat Quinn is undermined by the University’s public release of the same names in question through several advertisements in the Chicago Tribune Business beginning July 6, 2008, and the Commencement bulletin at graduation ceremonies in Champaign on May 10, 2008. Nevertheless, we evaluate President White’s arguments in the context of FERPA. Even the most liberal reading of FERPA finds President White’s arguments unconvincing. First, President White’s privacy argument is contradicted by U. of I.’s internal FERPA training course48 that specifically defines a student’s name, email and phone number as “directory information” which may be disclosed without a student’s written consent. Pat Quinn’s request for a list of names is clearly defined as “directory information” by U of I.’s own training course on FERPA which we reprint below:

46

http://www.illinoisptmba.uiuc.edu/M/Admissions/Financial+Aid/Military+Scholarship.htm See US Department of Education http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html for a description of FERPA. FERPA gives parents rights with respect to their children's “education records.” These rights transfer to the student after high school. 48 http://www.oar.uiuc.edu/staff/ferpa_tutorial/Ferpa_pg2b.html 47

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Directory Information FERPA allows colleges and universities to classify part of the educational record as "directory" information. Normally, schools may disclose directory information without the written consent of the student. This includes information such as: • Name • Addresses (including e-mail) • Telephone numbers At UIUC, directory information for current students also includes: • • • • • •

Date of admission Date of birth Previous institutions attended Dates of attendance and full- or part-time status College, curriculum and major field of study, class level Expected graduation date, degrees; honors; certificates received or anticipated

Second, with a one-minute Google search, we found eight (8) U. of I. web sites that list names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of students in various academic programs. Moreover, the names Pat Quinn requested were published in the Chicago Tribune on July 6, 2008, and the 2008 Commencement bulletin. Since the difference between “directory information” and “educational record” is clearly defined in FERPA and U. of I. policy, we find it unlikely that President White or his advisors misunderstood the Lt. Governor’s request. The difference between “directory information” and “educational record” is explained in the Code of Federal Regulations, case law and several U. of I. policy documents we examined, including but not limited to: • •

• •

Code of Federal Regulations (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99.31)49 Office of University Counsel50, Office of the Provost51, and Office of Admissions and Records (OAR)52 University of Illinois Student Code Article 3, Part 6, § 3-60353 Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services (CITES)54

It strains credulity that President White, who heads a $4 billion University, was insufficiently informed about his own University’s policies and current practices above – available to the public via internet connection – prior to his response to Pat Quinn. We now explain the applicability of FERPA regulations and policies in the context of Pat Quinn’s two specific requests and President White’s response. a. “list of all veterans who have applied for and been denied admission” This is the simplest case. Applicants who are not admitted are not defined as “students” according to U. of I. and FERPA. Hence, no privacy privilege of any kind applies. U. of I.’s Campus Administrative Manual Section X-6 on FERPA55 confirms that nonstudents do not have “educational records”: “(F)or the purposes of the Act ‘student’ is 49

http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/reg/ferpa/rights_pg19.html http://www.legal.uillinois.edu/faq/teaching.html 51 http://www.provost.uiuc.edu/resources/Faculty/FERPA_Faculty.pdf 52 http://www.oar.uiuc.edu/staff/ferpa/index.html#Others 53 http://www.admin.uiuc.edu/policy/code/article_3/a3_3-603.html 54 http://www.cites.uiuc.edu/edtech/policies_guidelines/ferpa/index.html 55 http://www.fs.uiuc.edu/CAM/CAM/x/x-6.html 50

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defined as a person who is or has been in attendance at the University of Illinois, and for whom the University maintains education records or personally identifiable information.” Certainly, a veteran who applied for the Military Scholarship Program and was turned away or denied admission has never “been in attendance.” Therefore, records of nonstudents are not protected under FERPA or U. of I.’s own policy. b. “listing of all veterans who have thus far received the tuition waiver” These veterans are students whose privacy is addressed through U. of I. policy and FERPA. We address issues of directory information and educational records separately. “DIRECTORY INFORMATION” UNDER FERPA

It is reasonable to assume that Pat Quinn’s request for a “list” included applicant names. Based on President White’s response, we examined whether FERPA constrains U. of I. from releasing a student names. Given the University’s release of these names to the Chicago Tribune for advertising purposes, we find the issue moot. Additionally, and according to FERPA, a “name” is defined as a component of “directory information.” Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Education’s Family Policy Compliance Office states:

“Schools may disclose, without consent, ‘directory’ information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance” (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1232g(a)(5)(A). Therefore, the release of directory information is permitted under FERPA. This is also consistent with the language in U. of I.’s online training course on FERPA cited above. U. of I.’s Office of Admissions and Records (“OAR”) specifically permits disclosure of “directory information”56 of matriculated students. OAR defines directory information as “… the student's name; addresses; telephone numbers; college, curriculum, and major

field of study; class level; date of birth; dates of attendance and full- or part-time status….” “EDUCATIONAL RECORDS” UNDER FERPA

Clearly, while Pat Quinn did not request “educational records,” President White’s refusal was argued on the basis of regulations governing release of students’ educational records. We investigate the basis of President White’s argument nevertheless and find his position inconsistent with prevailing U. of I. policy and FERPA. FERPA permits, and U. of I. sources confirm, disclosure of student educational records under specific criteria. OAR policy states that “complete student records may be obtained by certain individuals or organizations.”57 We quote OAR policy: •

•

•

“Authorized representatives of the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of the Comptroller General, or state and local education authorities request access as part of an audit or program review or to ensure compliance with Student Financial Aid program requirements. In response to a student's application for financial aid. Student information to determine the amount of financial aid, the conditions for the aid, the student's eligibility for the aid, or to enforce the terms or conditions of the aid. An organization58 conducting studies concerning the administration of student aid programs on behalf of educational agencies or institutions may be given relevant information. An “organization” includes, but is not limited to, Federal, State, and

56

http://www.oar.uiuc.edu/staff/ferpa/index.html#DirInfo http://www.oar.uiuc.edu/current/transcripts/ferpa.html 58 "organization" includes, but is not limited to, Federal, State, and local agencies, and independent organizations per 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99.31 (6)(vi) 57

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local agencies, and independent organizations per 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99.31 (6)(vi)” (reprinted below)” Pat Quinn, acting on behalf of the State of Illinois (an “organization”), has a legitimate public policy interest and legal right to formally request information about veterans who received or sought the military scholarship from U. of I. which was funded by the Illinois Veteran Grant (a financial aid entitlement program for Illinois veterans under 110 ILCS 947/40) and U. of I.’s compliance with the terms and conditions of the statute. In turn, U. of I. has a legal obligation under 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99 to cooperate with Pat Quinn’s formal request. Students are informed in the U. of I. Student Code, Article 3, Part 6, § 3-603 that their personal educational records may be released without their consent. We quote the Student Code: “…personally identifiable records of students may be released without the student’s consent… to those representatives of the federal government and the state who are identified in the Act….” The federal law59 to which the Student Code refers defines specific criteria for said disclosure pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99.31 as follows: “Under what conditions is prior consent not required to disclose information? (4)(i) The disclosure is in connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary for such purposes as to: (A) Determine eligibility for the aid; (B) Determine the amount of the aid; (C) Determine the conditions for the aid; or (D) Enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (4)(ii) As used in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section, "financial aid" means a payment of funds provided to an individual (or a payment in kind of tangible or intangible property to the individual) that is conditioned on the individual's attendance at an educational agency or institution. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1232g(b)(1)(D)) … (6)(i) The disclosure is to organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies or institutions to… (B) Administer student aid programs…” … (6)(iv) For the purposes of paragraph (a)(6) of this section, the term "organization" includes, but is not limited to, Federal, State, and local agencies, and independent organizations. … (11) The disclosure is information the educational agency or institution has designated as "directory information," under the conditions described in § 99.37. In summary, President White’s reasoning to withhold data requested by Pat Quinn based on FERPA is contradicted federal law and U. of I. policy.

59

http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/reg/ferpa/rights_pg19.html Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 99

4. Lastly, President White’s letter states his commitment to fulfill all 110 military scholarships “within the next two years.” President White’s statement is contradicted by U. of I.’s senior Public Relations representative, Thomas Hardy (reports directly to White), who told ABC News60 on January 10, 2007, that “the intention of the University was 110 over a 3 year period.” To date, the University has provided four different answers: 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and “uncertain.” In addition, President White’s statement that “we continue to recruit qualified candidates” is contradicted by the fact that all references to the Military Scholarship Program were deleted from U. of I. web sites and printed literature in the summer of 2006. This position is confirmed by a report by the Daily Illini, U. of I.’s student newspaper on March 7, 200761: “Currently, no information is available on the College of Business' Web site or informational brochure on any scholarships partnered with the IVG, only that the IVG is a form of financial aid to prospective students.”

H.

Military Scholarship Program Dropped in 2006 and IVG Benefits Reduced 70%

Despite claims by U. of I. that the full-ride Military Scholarship Program was a 3-4 year initiative, U. of I. dropped it in the summer of 2006. New language, terms and conditions show veteran education benefits reduced from “full-ride” to a maximum 40% (with minimum GPA stipulations) and advertised only for the Part-time evening MBA Program62 serving local area students. Key Finding How do the University of Illinois scholarships work? The scholarship is applicable only for the Part-Time Evening MBA offered on the UrbanaChampaign campus. The scholarships may cover up to a maximum of 10% of the tuition cost of the program… These scholarships can be combined with other military- and veteran-related grant programs such as the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) program. The scholarship recipient must maintain a 3.33/4.0 or higher GPA throughout the duration of the program.

How long will these scholarships be available? These scholarships are available for students who will be part of the Part-Time Evening MBA classes that begin the spring of 2007 through the summer of 2009. The scholarship is not to exceed 10% of the program cost. For additional benefits, the university’s MBA scholarship may be combined with grants from other military assistance programs, such as the Illinois Veteran Grant program. By combining the scholarship fund with the IVG program, qualified students may reduce overall program cost by up to 40%. Limiting the value of IVG to a maximum 30% of tuition is a contravention of 110 ILCS 947/40 (see Public Act 094-0583 – “The Higher Education Student Assistance Act”63). The Act states: “… A qualified applicant is not required to pay any tuition or mandatory fees while attending a State-controlled university or public community college in this State for a period that is equivalent to 4 years of full-time enrollment, including summer terms.

60

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news&id=4924607

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http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2007/03/07/News/Investigative.Report.Scholarships.Fall. Short-2761318.shtml 62 http://www.illinoisptmba.uiuc.edu/M/Admissions/Financial+Aid/Military+Scholarship.htm 63 http://ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-0583 Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 100

Assistance under this Section is considered an entitlement that the State-controlled college or public community college in which the qualified applicant is enrolled shall honor without any condition other than the qualified applicant's maintenance of minimum grade levels and a satisfactory student loan repayment record pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 20 of this Act….” The General Assembly's Illinois Administrative Code, authorized by Section 20(f) of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act [110 ILCS 947/40 and 20(f)], shows inconsistencies between Illinois law and U. of I.’s actions. •

•

•

•

Section 2733.10 - Summary and Purpose:64 As described in this Part, eligible Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) recipients are entitled to be exempt from paying tuition and certain fees at Illinois public postsecondary institutions. If appropriated Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) funds are insufficient to reimburse institutions for all eligible recipients, the obligation to pay is transferred to the institution. Section 2733.20 - Applicant Eligibility65 Section 2733.30 - Program Procedures:66 Costs exempted by the IVG: 1) The recipient is exempt from paying costs as follows: tuition and fees that meet the definition of tuition (see 23 Ill. Adm. Code 2700.20) Section 2733.40 - Institutional Procedures:67 (Section f) The reimbursement to institutions for Illinois Veteran Grants is contingent upon available funding. Should General Assembly appropriations be insufficient to pay all claims, institutions will be reimbursed in accordance with this subsection: 1. summer term claims received by the deadline date designated in subsection (e) will be paid, or prorated if funding is insufficient to pay all claims in full; 2. if funds remain after summer term claims are paid, first semester and first quarter claims received by the designated deadline date will be paid, or prorated if funding is insufficient to pay all claims in full; 3. if funds remain after first semester and first quarter claims are paid, then second semester/second and third quarter claims received by the designated deadline date will be paid, or prorated if funds remaining are insufficient to pay all such claims in full; 4. if funds remain after second semester/second and third quarter claims are paid, claims received by ISAC after the designated deadline dates will be paid or prorated…

(Source: Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 11646, effective July 1, 2006)

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http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/023/023027330000100R.html http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/023/023027330000200R.html 66 http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/023/023027330000300R.html 67 http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/023/023027330000400R.html 65

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The Chicago Tribune featured this advertisement for graduates of the Executive MBA Class of 2008 on Sunday, July 6, 2008.

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The 2008 Commencement lists Executive MBA and Full-Time MBA students who graduated. This list contains the names of all students who matriculated in 2006 when the Military Scholarship Program Began.

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10. CAMPUS POLITICS: HOW TENSIONS BETWEEN CHAMPAIGN AND UIC OVER ANOTHER MBA PROGRAM IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS INFLUENCED THE MILITARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SUMMARY • The College of Business in Urbana-Champaign planned a 2nd MBA Program in Chicago, displacing UIC at Allstate, at the same time it launched the Military Scholarship Program • Tensions surfaced between Chancellors of Urbana-Champaign and UIC campuses over “Chicago turf” the weekend before the Military Scholarship Program was curtailed • Ghosh gave a talk at UIC to faculty and staff about the new MBA Program and paid a consultant $160,000 to research new offerings for the Chicago market • UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning, on instructions from U. of I. President Joseph White, contacted van der Hooning to conduct an ethics investigation. She complained about the confusion caused by Urbana-Champaign in her backyard As we wrapped up our research, we became curious about a turf battle between UIUC Chancellor Richard Herman and UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning over access to the Chicago market. At first glance, the flap appeared to be about a UIUC’s marketing postcard advertising Executive MBA Program and its Military Scholarship Program in UIC’s backyard. However, parallel with the launch of the Military Scholarship Program, we discovered contemporaneous plans by Ghosh to establish a second MBA program for Urbana-Champaign’s College of Business at Allstate’s headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois, that would supplant its 10-year relationship with UIC.

A.

Tensions Erupt Between Urbana-Champaign and UIC Over Ghosh’s Expansion Plans for the Chicago Market

Two days after UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning contacted Urbana Chancellor Richard Herman about the marketing postcard, the Military Scholarship Program and UIUC’s new part-time MBA Program at Allstate were scuttled. Press releases and internal communications show that UIC was not involved with the Military Scholarship Program and its overtures for a UIUC-UIC partnership in 2003 were rebuffed by Ghosh when the Executive MBA Program relocated from Urbana to Chicago. Given the press coverage over the Military Scholarship Program – hosted by UIUC’s Executive MBA Program at the Illini Center just a mile from UIC’s campus – it is understandable that tensions surfaced again between Urbana and UIC once again over turf rights in Chicago. Oddly, Ghosh announced his plans to UIC faculty at the College of Business Administration and its Dean, Stefanie Lenway. This new, 2nd MBA program was planned before the Military Scholarship Program was launched. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 8:48 AM To: DeBrock, Larry; Carroll, Sandra Cc: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: latest Allstate update/ how to go forward

Key Finding

As you know by now, Allstate has narrowed their selection process down to UIUC and Notre Dame to replace UIC after 10 years. They interviewed the top 10 MBA programs and all the local Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 104

schools over the past several months. RFP responses are due next Monday with oral presentations on Wednesday…. Allstate is genuinely interested in doing business with us and has suggested two interesting possibilities: 1. Run our standard PMBA program for them before or after our PMBA program at the IC - on the same day or morning after - to minimize the hassle factor for faculty (they want our "A" team). Customize 2-3 applications courses to replace our international business, China trip and Entrepreneurship courses. 2. Run our standard PMBA program as an open-enrollment program at their Northbrook campus. They would guarantee a minimum 15 people. Allstate has rooms that could accommodate 30-70 people.

… Allstate has offered us classroom space in Northbrook to offer a suburban PMBA with a suggested enrollment from Allstate of 15 people as a minimum guaranteed number. After several meetings and discussions with Allstate, with us and on their own, my sense is that they would prefer UIUC to run a PMBA at their campus open to the public…. Please tell me what you think. I need to get back in touch with Allstate asap and let them know where we'd like to take this. From: Ghosh, Avijit [mailto:Ghosh, Avijit] Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 4:47 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert; DeBrock, Larry; Carroll, Sandra Subject: RE: latest Allstate update/ how to go forward

Key Finding

Bob, … I agree that a long term relationship with Allstate would make sense…. the idea of using a guaranteed number of students from Allstate as a core of a public program is worth serious consideration. Doing it at their faculty in Northbrook may be an advantage—most of the suburban programs are offered by less known schools/programs (am I correct?). We could potentially tap into other firms in the area…. Two months later, Ghosh authorized a $160,000 study of the Chicago MBA market in conjunction with the College of Engineering. The letter below was sent to over 1,500 alumni and Chicago business leaders soliciting their involvement in focus groups: December 27, 2005 Dear xxxxx: We are asking you to lend a hand in setting the future direction of our professional and executive education activities in Chicago by participating in a two-phase primary research initiative jointly sponsored by the College of Business and College of Engineering. Insights from this research will be used to help us leverage our assets and intellectual capital, position our brand and deploy innovative, breakthrough educational offerings for the Chicago market where 120,000 Illinois alumni live and work. Please accept this invitation to attend an executive focus group during the weeks of January 23 and 30 at our Illini Center campus….

Phase I – Focus Groups Approximately 6-8 focus groups, each comprised of university alumni, outside experts and Illinois-based employers, will help define the key decision criteria (“drivers”) of post-graduate

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executive and professional education from both a business-to-business (B2B) and business-toconsumer (B2C) perspective….

Phase II – Survey An independent research firm (profile attached) will measure the importance of these drivers to prospective students and their employers through an adaptive, web-based survey…. Some of the topics we will probe in our research include the following: • Market Demand – preference for MBA, MS degree (e.g., Computer Science, Finance, and Accounting), hybrid MBA-Engineering degrees, short courses and e-learning. • Student Value Drivers –courses, curriculum, scheduling, location, tuition, brand value • Employer Value Drivers – courses, theory vs. practice, convenience, pricing • Schedule and Location – weekend vs. weeknight, program length, downtown vs. suburb • e-Learning – real-time “virtual classroom” vs. “Comcast-On-Demand” A schedule of focus group meeting times for January is attached below. I would appreciate your affirmative response for participation by January 10, 2006, by emailing Robert van der Hooning, Director of Executive Education, at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your participation. Sincerely, Avijit Ghosh Dean

Marc Snir Chairman, Department of Computer Science College of Engineering

Robert van der Hooning Director, Executive Education Chicago

From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 10:59 AM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: my pick for PMBA68

Key Finding

You asked me last time we visited to pick Northbrook or Chicago to begin the PMBA program. My vote is Northbrook. The Allstate campus is well-known in the Chicago area. The location – at the corner of I-294N and Willow Road – is extremely convenient for both the North and Northwest suburbs. For classes in the late afternoon or evening, rush hour traffic flows in the opposite direction…. I did discuss PMBA with my Chicago Advisory Committee last week in Champaign. They are in support of the PMBA program in Chicago. We discussed UIUC vs. outside faculty. They are comfortable with a ratio of 50-66% UIUC faculty. Some of the courses – up to 2 modules – could be done remotely with the College of Engineering as well given the existing technology we currently have in place. They know I owe you the business plan for this. From: Ghosh, Avijit [mailto:Ghosh, Avijit] Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 11:00 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: my pick for PMBA Thanks. AG

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Part-time MBA Program Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 106

From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 11:11 AM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: RE: my pick for PMBA You want to meet Allstate in March, look at facilities, go there with me? Opportunity to see the place 3/9, 3/14 and 3/16. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 12:48 PM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: availability in Chicago for dates 3/10 3/14 3/16 3/17

10:00 - 11:00 11:00 - 12:00 1:00 - 2:00 10:00 - 11:00 or 2:00 - 3:00

Do you have a window or not? If you don’t have time, what about bringing Larry or someone else appropriate for a business meeting like this? From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 9:24 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: RE: availability in Chicago for dates Do we have a business plan for this proposed venture? DeBrock met with van der Hooning at Allstate on March 3, 2006, after the announcement of the Military Scholarship Program at the Annual Alumni Luncheon in Chicago. Following that meeting, van der Hooning invited Ghosh to meet with him and Allstate. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Key Finding Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 7:31 AM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: Today's Discussion Attachments: U of I Media Plan rvh approval 3 10 6 (2).xls (171 KB); PMBA pro forma calendar.xls (43 KB); PMBA Model.xls (29 KB) … PMBA – meeting at Allstate 3/16 @ 1230 PM. Will you come? Financial model/justification is attached…. Allstate would like 2 UIC professors to remain…. Assumptions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Program begins September 2007 Target age: 25-32 Northbrook Campus, evening program 530-830 PM EMBA style - 2 courses/module "8+1" model - 8 weeknights, 1 weekend 30 instructional hours/course

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7. Capacity – Allstate has 3 classrooms that fit 40 people per classroom. The walls between them are removable. Practically speaking, 2 of the classrooms would be combined with maximum capacity = 80 8. Assume class size = 70 (for comparison, GSB’s evening and weekend programs represent over 1,500 students; Kellogg – 1,150; average age is 29 at both schools, 7 yrs business experience) 9. Price at $67,000 (Kellogg is $79,622, Chicago is $77,600) 10. Net Price at $55,000 after scholarships, unfunded IVG liability 11. Schedule options: M/W or T/Th or F/S with one weekend at the IC 12. International Trip included 13. Option to "opt out" of international trip and replace with 2 e-learning modules 14. Faculty salary - $25K/course + $10K Chicago bonus 15. No rental costs payable to Allstate 16. Allstate contributes 10-15 students per year at $50,000 per student in lieu of any rental payments From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 8:45 AM To: DeBrock, Larry Subject: big week … This is a watershed moment for our strategy for the Chicago metro market. With providers like Lake Forest and DeVry one exit up on 294 N from Allstate and DePaul is in O'Hare and Rolling Meadows -- this is a prime location in a fat part of the market (part-time) and we'd be the best brand in the 'burbs. No Kellogg or GSB in the 'burbs. Hate to see this oppy ceded to Notre Dame. With Allstate committing to 12-15 students/year, we already have a great start on a cohort of 70. I could have put about 25-30 military people into the program in the last 10 days alone... these are people working at Chicago area companies now who spent time in Iraq, Afghanistan or the reserves here in Illinois. The advantages of doing a PMBA in the 'burbs are significant. A free suburban campus, fully outfitted with no start-up time, costs or capital investments. The campus is higher quality than we currently have at the Illini Center. And best of all, we can scale just about every expense on our books with Exec Ed in Chicago right now. DeBrock followed up with two emails to van der Hooning, including inappropriate references to UIUC faculty as “high priced hookers” and “hookers praised as soldiers”: From: DeBrock, Larry Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 4:15 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: big week Since I get paid precisely $18,750 to teach in the EMBA, I would gladly swap out for the $37.5, even with 5 extra trips…. I know you have said since day 1 that we were off target in choosing the EMBA as our beachhead in moving to Chicago. But, you also told me that we could get at least one group of 45-50 and you hoped for scaling to a second group. Don’t get me wrong. I love your enthusiasm. But, remember what is now ETCHED IN STONE on the top of the Dean’s Office; “NO MORE 35 STUDENT PROGRAMS”.

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Let me tell you the facts about faculty. They are, as you know, a fickle bunch. On the one hand, they are QUICK to withdraw from skinflint offers involving extra work…. they need [to be] compensated…. But, high priced hookers are still hookers. But, BUT, B U T , if you bring in 70 students and the college nets 3.5 million, the hookers are praised as soldiers. They are cheered by smiling faculty waving UIUC flags lining the roadside while they ride back into town. That is the truth. From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 10:45 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: big week First, let me say that the dean has personally talked to me about the grueling hours you are putting in on recruiting this next class (let alone the hours devoted to innovations such as Allstate) and anyone with a half a brain can see that the caravans you have been putting together are time sinks of the first order. He may not be telling you that personally. But sometimes the general relies on his second lieutenant to pass on this type of comment. Good work, and I hope you know it is recognized. According to sources on the email distribution list below, van der Hooning presented the PMBA proposal to Ghosh, Deans and senior faculty on April 19, 2006. We were told by two sources that the faculty did not know about Ghosh’s speech to UIC regarding a 2nd MBA Program in Chicago. During this meeting, Ira Solomon (Chair, Department of Accounting) and Sandy Frank remarked that any new MBA program in Chicago should be delayed until U. of I. Chancellor Richard Herman gave the College of Business a “tax break” on all its undergraduate and graduate programs prior to the College showing a profit in Chicago. At stake was the College’s ability to pay debt service on a new building it planned adjacent to its current facility. According to sources at U. of I., the College of Business was losing money and wanted a “tax break” to improve its cash flow. We were surprised to learn that the College of Business declined Allstate’s offer to host an MBA program at its headquarters in Northbrook, a pristine facility built by Accenture and offered to U. of I. for free with no rental cost. From: DeBrock, Larry [mailto:DeBrock, Larry] Key Finding Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 4:52 PM To: Leblebici, Huseyin; Ikenberry, David; Frank, Sandra; Northcraft, Greg; Van der Hooning, Robert; Abdel-khalik, Rashad; Solomon, Ira; Oldham, Greg Cc: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: PMBA Meeting Sandy and I had a meeting with Avijit this morning to discuss some of the hard issues our committee discussed last week regarding a Professional MBA program in the suburbs or the downtown IC facility…. Avijit would like to reconvene this committee for another meeting, with his attendance, as soon as possible…. Upon request by Frank, van der Hooning sent a business plan and financial model for the Parttime MBA Program. While not large compared to other MBA programs in Chicago (e.g., DePaul, Loyola, Northwestern, University of Chicago) with thousands of students, the business plan represented $12 million revenue and $6.3 million profit annually. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 109

From: Van der Hooning [mailto:Van der Hooning] Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 2:33 PM To: DeBrock, Larry Subject: updated financial plans Attachments: Consolidated PMBA2.xls (48KB) Sandy asked I convert the financial plans to academic years. I have to work on that. In the meantime, here's a consolidated spreadsheet of BOTH the Northbrook and IC options…. Total revenue for Northbrook and IC - $12 mil. Total profit - $6.3 mil. Based on the email below from a UIC faculty member, UIC knew about Ghosh’s plans. From: Jose Antonio Rosa69 [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 1:24 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: Re: Would you please give me a few more days?

Key Finding

… Had a good chat with Avijit about the EMBA program at UIUC and plans for a part-time MBA program also. Lot's of work. Will you be managing the second program? So why was the Military Scholarship Program and plans for a second UIUC MBA program in Chicago scuttled at the same time? Based on discussions with employees at both UIUC and UIC, there was tension over UIUC’s Executive MBA Program’s Chicago location since it started in 2003. From: McCabe, Tracy G. [mailto:McCabe, Tracy G.] Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 10:48 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: postcard issue? You have multiple chancellors (Manning and Herman) upset over what they consider a poor choice of words in one of your marketing pieces. I was handed the postcard your program mailed directly to Manning's office, which she routed to Herman with her concerns, who passed along his own verbal concerns to me. The offending “postcard” referred to in McCabe’s email was the same postcard from which van der Hooning’s signature was taken. It contained these statements: • •

“Discover how we are bringing the Champaign tradition of excellence to Chicago” “Champaign-Urbana Excellence at Wacker and Adams”

The key issue in van der Hooning’s email to Ghosh below was UIC’s unfavorable review at Allstate and Ghosh’s announcement to UIC that he was planning a 2nd MBA program in Chicago. From: Van der Hooning, Robert Sent: Tue 5/9/2006 6:44 AM To: Ghosh, Avijit Subject: RE: postcard issue? We sent a postcard for our information sessions that says "Champaign-Urbana Excellence at Wacker and Adams" on it. That's all I can find…. Chancellor Manning might have heard the story - remote chance - that UIC got unfavorable reviews at Allstate. 69

Jose Antonio Rosa is a professor at UIC and also teaches part-time for Urbana-Champaign’s Executive MBA Program Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 110

Nevertheless, despite the politics, Ghosh encouraged van der Hooning to determine construction costs and additional staff needed for expansion plans at the Illini Center. From: Ghosh, Avijit [mailto:Ghosh, Avijit] Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 1:19 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: RE: postcard issue?

Key Finding

On the space issue do we know how much construction will cost etc. and we need to be sure that it will meet the needs. Lets also look at the cost of hiring staff (I agree the same staff cannot work every weekend).

B.

Chancellor Manning and Others from UIC Step In

We show Manning’s email to van der Hooning about “turf” on June 11, 2006, below. A brief review of critical events that occurred between Ghosh’s above email on May 9, 2006 and Manning’s email sheds light on a potential cause of the Military Scholarship Program’s demise. • • • • • •

•

May 10 – van der Hooning sent apology to Manning over postcard flap. May 11 – Ghosh scales back Military Scholarship Program; Part-time MBA Program scrapped May 17 – the Military Scholarship Program was cut back from 110 to 15-17. May 23 – military admissions quota - 35 civilians, 25 military May 26 – rescind letters sent to 33 military students and 1 civilian. June 7 – van der Hooning contacted by Robyn Sato (works for Manning) on behalf of U. of I. President White; meeting scheduled by Kate Metz, White’s Assistant, with van der Hooning after receiving Manning’s report on van der Hooning’s ethics complaint; meeting cancelled June 11 – van der Hooning received email from Manning about “confusion of UIUC’s operations in Chicago with UIC.” The date of this email was 4 days after van der Hooning was contacted by Manning’s assistant, Robyn Sato, and the day before his phone conference was cancelled with President White (see below)

From: Sylvia Manning [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 1:06 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Cc: Herman, Richard (UIUC Admin) Subject: RE: apologies

Key Finding

Dear Dean Van der Hooning, I am sure you didn’t intend to offend me or anyone else with the postcard. The problem we are dealing with is continuing confusion of UIUC’s operations in Chicago with UIC, and that has been abetted by some of the language the Executive MBA program has used in advertising itself. … in the Daily Illini of April 25, you are described as “Robert van der Hooning, assistant dean for the College of Business at the University of Illinois at Chicago.” Further down the writer explains that the Scholarships can be used towards “an MBA from the University or towards the Executive MBA program offered at the Chicago campus.” If the very bright Urbana students who write for the Daily Illini are confused between Urbana campus operations in Chicago and UIC (which is the Chicago campus of the U of I), imagine what the general public makes of it. The name confusion is not a problem of your making and I do recognize that. In fact, a lot of people have been thinking about it without coming up with a good solution. When I complained Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 111

to Richard Herman, it was with a view to heightening consciousness of the need to avoid exacerbating the confusion whenever we can. Thank you for writing to me. And congratulations on those scholarships; they are wonderful. Sincerely, sylvia manning Two weeks later, and just a week prior to van der Hooning’s last day on the job, he received this email from UIC Professor Jose Rosa – “politics abound and the plot thickens.” From: Rosa [mailto:Rosa] Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 5:56 PM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: As the world turns...

Key Finding

Hello Bob. Since you asked if UIC had any problems with me teaching for UIUC, it seemed wise to inquire officially. It was hard to envision any objections from UIC, but decided to check with my department head…. Well, he dutifully went to inform the associate dean…. do not get blindsided. The politics abound and the plot thickens... Talk to you soon. Michael Tanner was UIC’s Provost at the time this email was written. He worked for Manning. From: Jose Antonio Rosa [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 7:38 AM To: Van der Hooning, Robert Subject: Re: As the world turns...

Key Finding

By now you probably figured out who Michael Tanner is. The politics are probably more complicated than not wanting to provide support, but politics no less…. As it pertains to Avijit's comments about the PMBA… the information trickled out over a space of 2-3 hours in a series of comments and conversations. Given the timing (last February), it was probably on his mind and slipped out as he was thinking out loud once in a while…. I was thinking last night about these factors (PMBA nixed, cross-pollination at the EMBA level possibly nixed), and wonder if what is really at play is a high level conflict between the campuses in the wake of Joe White's call for collaboration. It is well known that UIC salaries are 15% lower than UIUC for the same slots. Any talk of collaboration is likely to raise this issue, and of course, everyone defends their position in any way possible. I would not be surprised if our dean used the information that Avijit revealed to complain about UIUC NOT collaborating by attacking the UIC MBA program in its backyard, while at the same time asking for more money so she can defend her turf adequately.

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11. WHAT U. OF I.’S BOARD KNEW AND WHEN THEY KNEW IT SUMMARY • van der Hooning sent a letter to the U. of I. Board of Trustees • A lawsuit was filed against U. of I. by van der Hooning on December 15, 2006 (case 07CC1856; U. of I. filed a Motion to Dismiss on February 13, 2007 • A Hearing was held at the Chicago Court of Claims September 12, 2007 • The Court ruled against U. of I. on its Motion to Dismiss on February 27, 2008 • Pre-trial depositions are underway

The following “Summary of Events” was sent by van der Hooning to Larry Eppley and the Board of Trustees on February 2, 2007. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS MILITARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SUMMARY OF EVENTS 2006 On March 1, after months of planning at many levels within the University, a 110 full-ride MBA scholarship program for military veterans and active-duty soldiers was approved in writing by Dean Ghosh and College Public Relations. The scholarship was funded, in part, by the Illinois Veteran Grant (“IVG”), a generous state program providing military education benefits that paid about 70% of the $74,000 tuition. News spread quickly. Within several weeks, the Executive MBA program had accepted or conditionally accepted 85-90 applicants. All but 19 of them were veterans or soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan returning home. On May 11, Dean Ghosh told me to limit the class size to 45-50 total students – military and civilian students combined. The Executive MBA program’s enrollment the past two years was comprised of about 30 civilian students and 2-5 military students using IVG and GI Bill benefits. Dean Ghosh justified the scholarship cutback via email: “we need to make sure that

we will have some additional cash flow from the additional students so we need to think about how the veterans scholarship will affect our cash flow. You cannot necessarily count on IVGA (sic) money at the same rate as last year.” On May 17, in a meeting in Champaign with Dean Ghosh and other senior college officials, I was told to reduce the number of military scholarships from 110 to 15-17. I advised Ghosh of his previous commitment and that the quality of military candidates exceeded previous class profiles across academic, leadership and diversity criteria. Several potential strategies for eliminating veterans from the upcoming class were suggested by Ghosh and others. At the end of this meeting, I was told to find or create “technical reasons” to rescind admission status to over 30 veterans and active-duty soldiers, increase the number of nonmilitary students in the class from 19 to 35, and stop recruiting or admitting any additional students with military backgrounds. Factors used as justification included (i) “cash flow”, (ii) “too many jar heads in the classroom will bias the class demographic” and (iii) profitability in Chicago operations would undermine the College’s efforts to reduce university fees on all its programs which would provide financial relief for mortgage payments on a new building. On May 19, I reported back to Ghosh and others that I found no “technical reasons” to rescind admissions for any candidate. By May 22, after reviewing candidate application and admissions data from the Executive MBA program’s admissions database, Dean Ghosh and others created new time limits for completion of MBA application materials of military students already granted admission status. Clout-Less: How University of Illinois Changed Admissions Procedures to Keep Military Veterans Out Page 113

These “reverse engineered” time limits were used to justify rescinding admissions to dozens of admitted applicants. Moreover, I was instructed not to inform affected individuals of the new time limits. This was especially punitive for applicants on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, veterans who attended several colleges during military service and others on military exercises in the US. On May 22, based on these newly created time limits, I was given orders to rescind admission to a group of 11 previously admitted students along with a letter drafted by a senior College official. I was told to print this letter on official letterhead of the Executive MBA program, sign it, and send it via overnight mail. I objected. The College then sent a senior official to Chicago who pressured me to increase the number of civilian students and “shrink” the number of military students in the program. Again, I protested on grounds of ethics and discrimination. On May 25, another senior College official, acting on Dean Ghosh’s instructions, ordered me to cap the class size at 60 with a quota of 25 military and 35 civilian students. At this time, there were scores of qualified and eligible military veterans and active-duty personnel who wanted to enroll in the program. To enforce the quota, Dean Ghosh formed a new 3-person Admissions Committee and put two of his senior staff on it. Admissions decisions would be based on 2/3 majority vote. A senior College official wrote me to confirm the latest orders on class size and mix, adding, “the logic here is to 1) give us a better appreciation for what

the civilian challenge really is at this point in order to produce a class of 60, 2) develop an active strategy to cultivate the promising cases and convert them into admits… This analysis of civilians in the pipeline clearly takes a backseat to solving the immediate issue of how to shrink down the number of quick admits.” About 90% of the “quick admits” were military scholarship students. On May 26, the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, a senior College official came to Chicago and instructed me to send a letter he authored notifying 33 veterans and 1 civilian that the College had rescinded their admissions status. I refused to sign it and again voiced my objections on grounds of ethics and discrimination. About half of these rescinded students were taking summer courses in statistics and accounting at my request as a condition of their acceptance. I was told “that doesn’t matter.” College officials ordered my staff to send the letter on May 30 and copied my electronic signature from a marketing brochure into the letter without my permission (see Exhibits F and J). The letter rescinded candidates’ admissions status but promised their application would be considered later by the Admissions Committee. At the time, there were 85-90 admitted candidates for a class size capped at 60. The following week, this same senior College official ordered my staff to rescind admissions status on more students using the same letter with my electronic signature. On several occasions in May and June, I was told by College officials to continue holding public information sessions (Dean Ghosh attended one), recruit civilian candidates and tell military candidates that the program was full. Many military candidates had already submitted full or partial applications at this time. I consulted the University Ethics Office web site and contacted the Chief Ethics Officer for advice. I identified myself, requested confidentiality and stated my concern for reprisal. I was told confidentiality could not be assured. Around June 7, I was contacted by an investigator from UIC Chancellor Sylvia Manning’s office, on orders from President White, to explain “the military scholarship situation.” I asked for and received her promise of confidentiality after expressing my fears of reprisal from Dean Ghosh. I provided a detailed account of events described in this summary. President White’s office called me and scheduled a phone conference as a follow-up to Chancellor Manning’s investigation. I waited for his phone call. It never came, so I called his office. I was told that

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President White and Dean Ghosh discussed the matter and that Dean Ghosh “would handle the matter internally.” On June 12, Congressman Rahm Emanuel sent a letter to me, Dean Ghosh and President White expressing his concern on behalf of a constituent, Capt. Gregory Quick. On June 14, Dean Ghosh sent a letter to all previously rescinded candidates essentially re-instating their admissions status. The letter stated:

“Recently, you received a notice from our Executive MBA program based in Chicago stating that your Quick Admit status into that program was rescinded due to a delay in receiving a complete set of application materials… I write to let you know that the College will not waiver from its commitments. Be assured that each case where an applicant has received a notice of conditional admission, via email or by letter, will be honored by College. With classes pending soon, what is unclear for us on campus is which students who have been extended this expedited conditional admission are actually planning on attending our classes” A senior college official, who was a member of the Admissions Committee, expressed disdain for Captain Quick’s letter to Congressman Emanuel and told me “I don’t care if he

served in the military or not. He doesn’t deserve to be in the program with an attitude like that.” However, despite Dean Ghosh’s assurances in his June 14 letter, I was subsequently urged by College officials on the Admissions Committee to work quietly to prevent students who received Dean Ghosh’s assurances from enrolling and “be a team player.” In fact, one particular student who served in Iraq was accepted, rescinded, re-accepted, re-rescinded and finally accepted a third time. Ironically, this same student was featured in a Christian Science Monitor article about the military scholarship program which Pat Quinn spoke about in Champaign at groundbreaking ceremonies for a new College building in May. The “commitments” Dean Ghosh said “the College will not waiver from” were belied by his and other officials’ actions to undermine the military scholarship program. The “notice from our Executive MBA program” refers to a letter I neither wrote nor signed. On June 28, I was terminated. My university phone, email and access to NESSIE benefits information was immediately cut off. I subsequently contacted Mr. Michael Shakman, an attorney, who attempted to resolve the matter with College and University officials.

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