UC President Janet Napolitano issued the following statement today (March 13):
I was deeply troubled and disappointed to learn of the charges filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against several dozen individuals accused of cheating and accepting bribes to gain students’ unlawful admission to top universities, including the University of California.
The allegations associated with UC, if proven true, are a disservice to the hardworking and accomplished students and alumni who have earned their place at the university and continue to make us proud.
Illegal, inappropriate and unethical means to gain admission, at the expense of deserving applicants, are antithetical to every aspect of our mission and values. As a public institution — one of the most highly regarded in the world — we are dedicated to ensuring a level playing field for every applicant.
We will take swift and appropriate disciplinary actions to address misconduct once we have all the facts. In the meantime, we:
- Are investigating any individual affiliated with UC who has been implicated thus far;
- Initiated a critical review of our admissions policies to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities;
- Reached out to The College Board to learn more about its assessment of recent developments and any potential changes regarding the administration of SAT and ACT tests to ensure the integrity of students’ scores;
- Requested the latest available information from the U.S. attorney's offices in California to guide our future proactive action; and
- Are collaborating with local and federal authorities in this matter to unearth the full breadth and scope of this problem.
It is unfortunate that the unethical behavior of a few individuals colors UC’s unwavering commitment to fairness and equity. The university will seize this moment as a valuable opportunity to improve its policies and practices, while continuing to be transparent, accountable and expeditious, as this is our fundamental obligation to our students — prospective, current and alumni — as well as the public. We will uncover the full truth and make things right.