AUSTIN, Texas — A “select handful” of University of Texas applicants are approved each year at the direction of the school president over the objections of the admissions office, a longtime practice that has grown in recent years, according to details of an investigation commissioned by the school’s Board of Regents and released Thursday.
The investigation into influence peddling in admissions at the University of Texas System’s flagship campus found applicants approved by outgoing President Bill Powers typically were recommended by state lawmakers, university donors, alumni and at times by regents themselves.
The report found “no evidence” applicants were admitted as a result of inappropriate promises or exchanges and said the practice doesn’t violate the law. Powers told investigators his decisions regarding admissions always were made with the “best interests of the university” in mind, according to the report.
But the report criticized Powers and his staff as misleading earlier investigations by failing to disclose the existence of “watch lists” and high-level meetings concerning applicants. And it said the practice has caused “increasing tension” between the president and admissions staff.
The question of influence peddling in general admissions to the university, as well as to the law and business schools, was a key factor in years of tension between Powers, several regents and state lawmakers. Powers was pressured last year to resign and he leaves office in June.
“I inherited this process,” which was well known by lawmakers, former chancellors and regents, Powers said in a statement after the report was issued.
“It is my observation that some similar process exists at virtually every selective university in America, and it does so because it serves the best interests of the institutions,” Powers said.
