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State audit says University of California wrongly admitted 64 wealthy students, some as athletes

Posted at 10:17 AM, Sep 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-22 13:17:18-04

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California state audit finds that the University of California wrongly admitted at least 64 wealthy students over the past six years as “favors to donors, family, and friends.”

California State Auditor Elaine Howle also found in the audit released Tuesday that campus staff falsely designated 22 of the applicants as student-athlete recruits because of donations from or as favors to well-connected families.

The University of California, Berkeley, admitted 42 less-qualified applicants based on connections to staff, leadership, and donors.

The audit was conducted in response to the national college admissions scandal that embroiled prestigious universities around the country, athletic coaches and dozens of wealthy parents.