University of Illinois shields data on clouted students

The University of Illinois has refused a request by the Chicago Tribune for test scores and grade-point averages of applicants who appeared on its admissions clout lists, saying the release would violate privacy rights even if the students are not named.

[Kiss my Kass]

"Though the decision has no jurisdiction in Illinois, open records advocates say the same principle would apply with the Tribune's request."

Good luck fighting the U of I's $300,000 general counsel ie head lawyer and their army of outside legal help.

[Disgusted]

I hope to h*** that voters remember this and other scummy deals perpetrated by our elected officials and their enablers the next time we are asked to vote for them. Newspapers of this state would do a tremendous public service if they published a reminder, right before election day, of the shenanigans that occur at the Statehouse at budget time and the names of the people involved the U of I clout deal and the many other unsavory events of which they are a part. Uninterested voters forget all these things come election time, so a gentle reminder would keep it in the forefront and then, maybe, we will get rid of these self-serving, egotistical politicians. They certainly cannot be called "public servants."

[FedUp]

The UofI President and all the the Trustees and Chancellors need to RESIGN.They betrayed the public confidence in a public institution run by our tax dollars.

Then,State Rep MIKE BOLAN should RESIGN as well.As Chairman of the Educational Comittee he should have been aware of a "clout List" but by his own admission was not.He ststed he first read about it in the Tribune last Monday.He should RESIGN because he is obviously inept and doesnt even know what is going on at the flagship stste school.

Next Madigan needs to RESIGN because he had 40 requests for preferential treatment of students...40 !!!

I cant wait till the next election to vote these people out.

[Bruce]

Still no effort by the Tribune to obtain pre-2005 records of the Clout List.
Is the Trib afraid that Obama's name will show up, if they look into those years?

[Cadillac]

They should release ALL the names of people who got in to fill Affirmative Action quotas!

The names and addresses of people living in Section 8 housing should be listed!

The names and addresses of people with Link cards should be posted as well!

It's my tax money, I would like to know where it is going!

[Daleyfan]

President White should be charged with conspiracy to cover-up a crime, and should go to jail.

[ouchbabe]

why would anybody be suprised?
they are all in the same criminal organization...
illinois state employees!
Remember!!!
YOUR GOVERNMENT HATES YOU!

[localdairyfarmer]

student records are private and should remain that way. the students did nothing wrong. the adults who acted on their behalf are the guilty ones. admissions requirements at U of I urbana are extremely competitive and many very well qualified students are denied admission. we do not how low the qualifications of those on the list were. a rush to judgement is not necessary. athletes grades are often very well below those who are admitted under regular admissions. do we hold ALL students to the same standards-including athletes?

[Taxpayer]

Good for U of I.

There is no reason to drag the kids through the mud. The University was acting on pressure from politicians to let these kids in.

These are the same politicians that control the purse strings for the college. No admissions, no money.

If a list of names needs to be released, release the names of the politicians that used their office and position to force the college to take students that didn't make the cut.

[Ralph Kramden]

Bruce wrote:

Still no effort by the Tribune to obtain pre-2005 records of the Clout List.
Is the Trib afraid that Obama's name will show up, if they look into those years?

Have you looked under your bed to see if any liberals are hiding there?

[FBI Guy]

The reporters should disclose whether they applied to Illinois -- and whether they were accepted.

[FBI Guy]

Cadillac wrote:

They should release ALL the names of people who got in to fill Affirmative Action quotas!
The names and addresses of people living in Section 8 housing should be listed!
The names and addresses of people with Link cards should be posted as well!
It's my tax money, I would like to know where it is going!

Illinois doesn't have affirmative action quotas. And they would be wholly ineffective anyway: Indicating your race is voluntary on the application.

[Adios MF]

What a shame, so many young men and women work their tails off to get into a premier Big Ten school, and to have its reputation tarnished by greed and political influence. R.I.P. U of I.

[Babwa]

Cadillac wrote:

They should release ALL the names of people who got in to fill Affirmative Action quotas!
The names and addresses of people living in Section 8 housing should be listed!
The names and addresses of people with Link cards should be posted as well!
It's my tax money, I would like to know where it is going!

Fine and let's be sure to list all of those that got in through "Rich Man Affirmative Action" for the Last 300 years. As a matter of fact let's do away with all legacies.

There's no crime in being poor.

[Hmmmmm]

Taxpayer wrote:

Good for U of I.
There is no reason to drag the kids through the mud. The University was acting on pressure from politicians to let these kids in.
These are the same politicians that control the purse strings for the college. No admissions, no money.
If a list of names needs to be released, release the names of the politicians that used their office and position to force the college to take students that didn't make the cut.

I'm with you on this. The issue is clout. Heck, some of them may even have decent grades at this point. No need to harass the kids.

[Time for an upgrade]

Hey, Who can I pay off to get my kid in. He wants to be a lawyer. What a great place to learn how to cheat and lie and become a politician.

[Kelly]

localdairyfarmer wrote:

student records are private and should remain that way. the students did nothing wrong. the adults who acted on their behalf are the guilty ones. admissions requirements at U of I urbana are extremely competitive and many very well qualified students are denied admission. we do not how low the qualifications of those on the list were. a rush to judgement is not necessary. athletes grades are often very well below those who are admitted under regular admissions. do we hold ALL students to the same standards-including athletes?

They are not asking for the names of the students, so there is no invasion of privacy.

[Daleyfan]

What would be interesting to know is how the kids in question are doing now. Have they all flunked out? Or are they doing acceptable?

[swib]

Taxpayer wrote:

If a list of names needs to be released, release the names of the politicians that used their office and position to force the college to take students that didn't make the cut.

RTF - the Trib is seeking the test scores and grade data of the applicants, NOT student names.

[jfp]

As well they should, I do not think a students grades should be public records. If the Trib wins the ruling I hope the ACLU challenges them.