Elite Universities Respond to the College Admissions Cheating Scandal: Here’s What They Had to Say

A new cheating scandal recently revealed by the FBI has named over half a dozen elite universities and colleges as victims in a scheme funded by parents seeking to guarantee their children admission into top schools.

Below are statements from many of the universities involved:

University of Southern California

Here is USC’s statement regarding the college admissions investigation: pic.twitter.com/IwZUuWfWA5
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) March 12, 2019

Among the elite colleges and universities named in the latest admissions cheating scandal was USC which responded to the FBI’s revelations in a statement to students

The university also provided a letter from USC Interim President Wanda M. Austin regarding the college admissions investigation. In the letter, Austin informed readers that school administrators are in the process of “identifying all funds received that may be connected to the government’s allegations. And we will be implementing significant process and training enhancements to prevent anything like this from ever happening again”. Austin further states that she, along with investigators, believe USC is a victim in the case.

University of Texas

In a statement posted on March 12, 2019, UT confirmed that men’s tennis coach, Michael Center, was placed on leave as soon as they learned of the charges against him.

Later in the statement, school officials stated that they “are continuing to gather information and review our processes… and believe this was an isolated incident in 2015 that involved one coach and no other university employees or officers.”

Stanford University

Stanford said in a statement that head sailing coach John Vandemoer has been fired after he was named in the investigation. The statement also affirmed that “Stanford has been cooperating with the Department of Justice in its investigation and is deeply concerned by the allegations in this case.”

A subsequent joint statement from Stanford’s President and Provost revealed that the West Coast university is taking steps to ensure that Stanford will not benefit from the money donated to the Stanford sailing program as part of this fraudulent activity and will work to determine “the most appropriate way to redirect the funds to an entity unaffiliated with Stanford, consistent with the regulations governing such gifts and in cooperation with the government.”

University of California at Los Angeles

Royce Hall, UCLA's landmark building, stands in the midst of a glorious post-rain sky, 7 February 2009, by Alton on Wikimeida Commons.

In a statement posted to the UCLA’s website, the university revealed that school officials were recently notified that UCLA men’s soccer head coach Jorge Salcedo was named as a defendant and notified UCLA that it is a potential victim in the college admissions scandal. The statement further noted that Coach Salcedo has been placed on leave and will have no involvement with the soccer team while this matter is under review.

The statement also included a warning to students potentially involved in the scheme:

If UCLA discovers that any prospective, admitted or enrolled student has misrepresented any aspect of his/her application, or that information about the applicant has been withheld, UCLA may take a number of disciplinary actions, up to and including cancellation of admission.

Georgetown University

In a public statement, school officials stated that “Georgetown cooperated fully with the government’s investigation. The statement went on to say that Gordon Ernst, the former Georgetown men’s tennis coach indicted as part of Operation Varsity Blues, has not coached the school’s tennis team since Dec. 2017, following an internal investigation that found he had violated University rules concerning admissions.

Yale University

A public statement released by the university, states that the school’s admissions office “relies on varsity coaches to provide honest and expert evaluations of individual applicants’ athletic accomplishments and potential to contribute to a varsity team.” The statement also emphasized that the Department of Justice believes that Yale is victim in this case of a crime perpetuated by a formerly trusted coach.