JAMS neutral, Hon. Abner J. Mikva (Ret.), was chosen by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in June to lead the Admissions Review Commission for the University of Illinois to investigate the University’s admissions practices which allegedly offered preferential treatment for a number of well-connected students. Following its 60-day investigation, the Commission announced its recommendations in early August.
The Commission recommended the University to eliminate Category I, to make the appeals process public, to allow only students and families to inquire about applications, to establish a state inspector general dedicated to higher education and to make third- party inquiries public.
It also called for resignations of the University’s trustees and criticized University President B. Joseph White and Chancellor Richard Herman for their unethical practices for allowing this preferential treatment to continue.
The Chicago Tribune first reported the existence of a clout list for well-connected students at the University of Illinois in early June and found that some students with prominent family members were admitted after government officials and university trustees interfered with the admission process in their favor.
It was also discovered that some applications were added to the clout list, which was internally known as “Category I” that consisted of students who had lower scores and class rankings compared to other freshmen at the University. Nonetheless, these students were still admitted to the University in spite of being described by the admissions officials as having less than average credentials.
Public outrage followed after the news broke, including the chairman of the state’s House Higher Education Committee calling for the resignation of the University’s president and the trustees who interfered with the admission process. Responding to such controversy, Governor Pat Quinn stepped in and called JAMS neutral Judge Abner Mikva to lead the internal investigation on the clout list at the University.
Judge Mikva led the task force, which worked to eliminate the existing special category at the University and enforce admission practices to be purely merit-based and remove any preferential practice. The Admissions Review Commission, led by Judge Mikva, frequently held public hearings with various officials from the University testifying on the admissions practice. He and his team had 60 days to report back to Governor Quinn and had a press conference announcing the results of the investigation.
Judge Mikva, a former federal judge, legislator, congressman and White House official, is a JAMS neutral who successfully mediates and arbitrates a wide variety of matters, including commercial contract, securities, employment and toxic tort disputes.
Judge Mikva has frequently been called upon as the go-to person to lead panels to investigate and resolve controversial, ethical issues in the Chicago area.