08.13.07
False Promises to Veterans and a Possible Draft
Recently a reader, Dan, offered information about another situation where veterans are being treated unfairly by being promised what no one intends to actually deliver (thank you for sharing, Dan). Obviously lofty promises are made to the men and women who join the military – after all, if the government told them that they were really going to give you the shaft for getting shot at, how many people would voluntarily join?The bottom line of the sad story shared by Dan is that the University of Illinois made a promise last spring to veterans and military members who wanted to earn an MBA – they would give 110 full scholarships to the people who qualified. Each scholarship is worth about $74,000, with 70 percent paid by the state and the rest by the university. However, it seems that this was not quite what happened.
Although some scholarships were issued, like other veterans programs that have been completely hype, it appears to be more of a publicity move than a helping hand for military members. Less than half the scholarships were actually awarded, although the University enjoyed a great deal of publicity from the offer. In fact, the Defense Secretary at the time, Donald Rumsfeld, stated, ““What a wonderful demonstration of support for those folks who have stepped up and volunteered to help protect the American people.” If only it had only worked out that way…
The man responsible for developing the program, Robert Van Der Hooning, enjoyed an okay at that time from the university’s board of trustees for a promotion and raise from $156,000 to $172,000 annually, according to board documents. This was a short-lived situation, however, as Van Der Hooning began to realize, “They reverse-engineered the time limits to get 35, 40 of these guys out of the program.”
Van Der Hooning actually created the program and was promoted last year to assistant dean and then lost his job because of what he feels is retaliation for complaining about the changes to the scholarship process. Van Der Hooning filed a legal complaint because his contract ended last month and he wants his job back and unspecified damages. He claims that school officials told him to use military scholarships to build attendance and revenue in the Chicago MBA program and then he was told to cut back. Van Der Hooning states, “You feel so good about it right? You look at these guys and you just see a life changed by what they’ve gone through in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Associate Chancellor Robin Kalery refused to address most of the allegations and stays the school never intended to award all scholarships right away or limit them to the executive MBA program. Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn publicly supported the program and then put pressure on the University to expand its pool. After hearing from an Army captain to was accepted then turned away, Emanuel said, “ It is my expectation that the admissions policy remains consistent with the program I endorsed — and that the university is using my name to support.” Two days later the college decided to honor conditional admissions and 41 applicants were given scholarships and enrolled in Chicago while 8 were enrolled in Campaign-Urbana programs. The number in Chicago dropped to 35 later when some student declined attendance. The two reps intend to watch the university closely and Eric Schuller, senior policy advisor for Quinn, indicated, “They promised 110 spots. We’re kind of disappointed that they didn’t do it all in the first year. What we’re expecting is that they be done as quickly as possible, meaning the next coming year.”
Meanwhile back at the university Kaler says they will keep offering scholarships until it reaches 110, but the plans for the future are not certain and there is no date set to hear Van Der Hooning’s complaint.
The university, Kaler said, will continue offering the scholarships until it reaches 110, but future plans are uncertain. No date has been set to hear Van Der Hooning’s complaint. To add insult to injury, Van Der Hooning informs the public that the university abruptly scaled back the plan after some officials worried privately about the cost and diluting the master’s of business administration program with too many “jarheads.”
From the experiences of my husband and his friends who served in Vietnam, to my friends from high school who served in the Gulf War to this situation in Illinois today experienced by veterans of Iraq, this type of ignorant discrimination against veterans lives on. These fine men and women serve our country with love and freedom in their hearts and return to be abused by the very system they tried to protect – is there a greater insult to the people that serve all of us? From poor and unpaid wages to inadequate medical care to neglected families, the veterans have suffered immeasurably then get unfairly judged by people who are basically clueless in their little 12 by 12 offices, only wanting to protect their cushy salaries and positions at the expense of others – such as veterans and their families. My husband and his buddies often refer to these administration folks who are allegedly acting on behalf of veterans as an “employment agency” for folks who want to sit around and get paid for doing relatively little other than creating false hype.
With this in mind, it is even more alarming to note that George Bush’s new war advisor, Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, feels the draft to Iraq is a good idea, saying, “I think it makes sense to certainly consider it. And I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table. But ultimately this is a policy matter between meeting the demands for the nation’s security by one means or another.” At this point, it is stated that Bush’s position is that a draft is not necessary – but how long will that last? Is Bush really good at making or keeping promises? Lute has been referred to as an “Iraq war czar” - how does this reflect what the people in this country really want? We all want to end the war in Iraq now, never mind a draft. Mamasaid there’d be days like this…
Latest posts by MamaSaid
- Being Leader of Your Own Life - March 20th, 2008
- The Disposable World Mindset - March 18th, 2008
- Stay Strong To Your Convictions - February 23rd, 2008
- Protect Your Privacy In a Predatory World - January 20th, 2008
- Don't Wan't FDA Clones? You're Not Alone - January 17th, 2008
- More About False Promises to Veterans - January 4th, 2008
- Realize The Power That Lies Within in 2008 - January 1st, 2008
- Words of Teddy Roosevelt About Being American - November 17th, 2007
- The Rush for Free Money - October 10th, 2007
- Illegal Immigrants Want More While Veterans Get Nothing - September 21st, 2007
- The Bank of America Fails to Live Up to its Name - August 22nd, 2007
- Immigrants - Become Legal for Equal Standing - July 27th, 2007
- Censuring Bush for Assaulting the Constitution - July 23rd, 2007
- Independence Day - A Time to Fight for True Freedom - July 4th, 2007
- Illegal Immigrants Find A Parkland - June 25th, 2007
Jerry Copeland said,
September 22, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Kaler just flat out lied. Ghosh flat out lied.
U of I promised 110 scholarships in one year. They tried to cut it back to 15 and got caught by local politicians who heard about it from soldiers and veterans who complained.
Kaler forgot to mention that the Illinois Veteran Grant doles out big bucks to reimburse U of I for veteran’s tuition. The problem was that when the Dean of the Business School, Avijit Ghosh, learned the Illinois Veteran Grant might be underfunded, he changed admissions rules for vets who had already applied and were accepted in order to kick them out.
Naturally, crooks get caught, and Lt. Governor Quinn and US Congressman Rahm Emanuel hauled Ghosh’s arse up to Chicago for tea. Then Ghosh promised he’d complete the balance of the 110 scholarships in 2 years. Ghosh said that too many jarheads would “bias the class demographic.” Academic-speak for discrimination.
Kaler told ABC News the magic number was 3 years, then told the Associated Press the number was, um, well, er, aw… uncertain.
This year I heard they really did cut veterans back to 15. What amazing arrogance!
This case went to Court in Chicago last week. U of I’s lawyer admitted the Attorney General was investigating Champaign for the past 12-14 months and it’s STILL NOT OVER. I think it is going to get messy because the back story is how U of I’s President, Joseph White, covered up the ethics investigation and got somebody fired to take the blame for Ghosh. Did I mention that Ghosh led the Presidential Search Committee that got White his $500,000 job???
I say bring back the draft and send Ghosh, White and Kaler to boot camp with those jarheads.
Gerald Fink said,
November 19, 2007 at 2:56 pm
I read these questions at a blog about the veteran scholarship scam at University of Illinois and calling our veterans “jarheads” who weren’t good enough for U of I’s standards.
I think these are great questions for U of I to answer at a press conference in front of a group of reporters.
1. How does a major school like U of I get away with discriminating against ANY group of individuals in admissions? Can a school change admissions procedures after people apply to kick them out?
2. Is the same discrimination game being played against Illinois high school seniors in favor of foreign students and out of state students who pay more tuition? How would the public know?
3. The vet scam was funded in large measure by the Illinois Veteran Grant which, according to state law, requires participating schools to pick up any shortfall if IVG does not have enough funds to pay for the exorbitant tuition rates. Did U of I violate state law?
4. Does anyone go to jail for trying to coverup discrimination against veterans with 50 grand of hush money?
5. Why is the Illinois Inspector General is still investigating U of I a year after it happened? What did the IG find out and what are the consequences? Are there civil rights or discrimination issues that belong at the federal level?
6. I heard the Board of Trustees got several complaint letters from senators, congressmen and veterans after the scam was exposed. What did the Board of Trustees know, when did they know it and why haven’t they done anything about it?
7. Describe the relationship between Joe White, U of I’s President and former b-school dean at Michigan, with Avijit Ghosh. I read that White swept the internal investigation under the rug since Ghosh led the Presidential Search Committee that got him his $500,000 a year job. White just gave Ghosh a $300,000 job. Isn’t this the same as a kickback?
Jerry R said,
December 2, 2007 at 4:05 pm
So there is more to the story than University of Illinois has told us about the veteran scholarship scam. Now Illinois Lieutenant Governor Patrick Quinn is taking them on - http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=85253&src=109.
How dumb can U of I be? Call veterans jarheads, change admissions deadlines for vets, recruit civilians to take their place, forge signatures on letters, lie to a Lt. Governor and US Congressman, and get exposed with their own internal documents and still continue to lie about it. Great lesson for all those students.
In the real world, you go to jail for this.
Laurie said,
December 14, 2007 at 2:02 pm
So Watergate comes to Champaign through a military scholarship scandal with a coverup by Dean Ghosh, President White and the Board. Excellent work.
Now you have the Lt. Governor demanding answers in addition to a court of law. How despicable to promise veterans a free degree and then change the admissions deadlines after they were accepted? A message to Joe White, Richard Herman, the Board of Trustees and that scoundrel Avijit Ghosh - I don’t want to hear another thing about Brilliant Futures or Inclusive Illinois from you.
University of Illinois has one standard for athletes and students but another for your own employees. You refuse to play by the rules. You should not expect it from your students.
Sandy said,
December 20, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Are Joe White, Avijit Ghosh and the Board of Trustees just Champaign’s version of the Howard Hunt, Donald Segretti and the Committee to Re-elect?
What a shocking reminder of the trickle-down effect of corruption, coverup and political kickbacks in our state. Call soldiers jarheads and faculty high-priced hookers. Falsify admissions records, forge signatures on letters and lie to a US Congressman and Lt. Governor about it. I wonder who won’t have a chair when the music stops after the Inspector General and Lt. Gov. Quinn finish their investigation.
It’s one thing for student to cheat. You don’t expect grown up administrators running a university to cheat. Guess a PhD doesn’t make you honest or smart. It will be very interesting to see when the Inspector General and Quinn report come out who knew about the discrimination scheme, when they knew and why they did nothing about it.
Cindy said,
March 1, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Shock and Awe, academic style - an embarrassing internal dossier on the Military Scholarship Scandal at University of Illinois was put on the internet this past week: http://uploadline.com/files/1617608/Vets_Education_and_U_of_I.pdf.html.
This report reveals University of Illinois’ OWN INTERNAL DOCUMENTS that describe a detailed plan to cheat and lie about a discrimination plot against military veterans and coverup the truth from the press and politicians. I got it from The Alumni Association in Champaign.
Deans are caught cheating and lying to public officials. Public Relations officials caught lying to the press. A whole lot of people KNEW about it and DID NOTHING. The people that altered admissions procedures to target military veterans just before classes started based on a quota need to be fired immediately. These people are mean spirited crooks.
Every mother of every 10-year old child teaches basic values like “don’t lie” and “don’t cheat.” The leaders of this university need a good old fashioned talk with their mothers to remind them of some basic rules of life. Lying is bad. Cheating is bad. Nobody needs a six-figure sensitivity trainer to tell them that. When it takes a scolding from the state’s Lt. Governor to remind our President, Board of Trustees and Chancellors that discrimination, lying and cheating is bad, what have we come to?
Maybe this university needs to hire some playground police for the grownups at Swanlund that run this university. Their ethics are in the toilet and I don’t need a doctoral degree to figure that out.