UI Chancellor Vows to Make Admissions More Fair, Transparent

University of Illinois Urbana Chancellor Richard Herman says a review of the admissions process was underway months before revelations of a 'Category I' list of applicants wound up in recent media reports. But he told the U of I's Academic Senate Executive Committee Wednesday that the forming of a task force to manage inquiries will bring more information out in the open, including how applicant appeals are conducted.

"Admissions felt for a long period of time that we needed to have a readily accessable appeal process," says Herman. "It was always possible, but we didn't make it as easy or as transparent as we would have liked to. And that what's going to happen."

The admissions office wants its applicant appeals to be available on line. Herman did tell the committee that 'careless language' was used to characterize the U of I's admissions office, and that staff there shouldn't be blamed for anyone who may have been enrolled ahead of someone more qualified. Herman says it's unfortunate the Chicago Tribune identified the roll of tracked applicants as a 'clout list.' The university suspended the use the list this week. Committee Chair Nick Burbules says the problem regarding admissions isn't unique to the university or even the state, but he says the U of I shouldn't waste time finger pointing. Burbules says the most important issue is moving forward, and making sure that students are treated as fairly as possible.