Did you know that Linda "Pepper Spray" Kathehi is no stranger to scandal? Senator Leland Yee (D., Ca.) has been speaking out about her lack of suitability ever since she first joined UCDavis. He has now demanded that an independent probe be set up to review her actions, the actions of her office and the police in their abuse towards the protesting students.
She has a history. Everyone needs to learn about her history; we need to inform as many people about this woman who was in charge of UCDavis and allowed the outrageous abuse to take place towards non violent students.
Just before she came to UCDavis, she was at the epicenter of a big scandal at her previous job, called the "University of Illinois clout scandal." Although not formally charged, there are still many questions left unanswered about 'what she knew' and 'when she knew it.'
"Before coming to UC Davis, Katehi served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she oversaw the admissions office during much of the time period that came to be investigated as part of the University of Illinois clout scandal, although only indirect evidence of involvement in improper student admissions arose."
wiki profile of Linda P.B. Katehi
However Senator Leland Yee (D,Ca.) did not buy her defense of "not knowing what was going on" in the Admissions Dept for which she was then responsible.
When she came to UCDavis, Sen. Leland Yee opposed her appointment:
"Katehi's involvement in the inquiry again raises questions about her knowledge of the clout lists. She has declared publicly that she knew nothing about the Category I system, though she has overseen the admissions department since 2006. Katehi maintains she never pushed for a student's entry and did not interfere with this particular case.
The dust-up over Category I has followed her to the University of California-Davis, where she is set to become chancellor next month. U. of I. President B. Joseph White has told California officials that Katehi did not know about the practice, but state Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) -- who has called for Katehi's contract to be rescinded -- said the newly released e-mail exchange "just creates more of a cloud."
"What this tells me is she clearly knew that there were, in fact, certain kinds of admissions that were given special treatment," he said. "It's an affront to every parent in Illinois."
Documents Cast Doubt on Chancellor Katehi's Denial in Illinois Scandal
Basically the scandal was about the improper use of political influence being used to secure placement of students at U of Illinois. Among those who were found to have improperly influenced the admission's process were: Tony Rezko, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Senate president John Cullerton, House Speaker Michael Madigan, state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Representative Tim Johnson, and Illinois Representatives Bill Mitchell and Chapin Rose.
The University of Illinois clout scandal resulted from a series of articles in the Chicago Tribune which reported that some applicants to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) "received special consideration" for acceptance between 2005 and 2009, despite having sub-par qualifications. The series began on May 29, 2009. An investigatory committee appointed by Illinois governor Pat Quinn was formed a few weeks later. The controversy led to the resignation of B. Joseph White, president of the University of Illinois, who oversaw the three campuses in the University system, and Richard Herman, chancellor of UIUC. The scandal eventually spread to include evidence of graft by members of the Board of Trustees, resulting in the resignation of seven of the nine members.
(further background on the U of Illinois
Clout Scandal
This scandal resulted in massive resignations, which Katehi avoided:
Summary of the Report that Calls on All U. of Illinois Trustees to Resign: contains links to "Final Report".
Senator Yee hasn't bought the story of her lack of involvement in the scandal all along and continues to challenge her suitability for the job of Chancellor. The tragedy that resulted from her management of the protesting students and the resulting abuse of police power towards the UCDavis protesting students has confirmed his initial opposition to her selection.
He has strongly criticized her latest attempt to get out of this scandal by cleaning up this pepper spray mess by appointing a task force:
Yee Calls for Independent Probe Into UC Police Misconduct
Monday, November 21, 2011
Another scandal surrounds UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi
SACRAMENTO – UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi, who is no stranger to controversy, is now the focus of another scandal surrounding the misconduct of her campus police. On Friday, several students who were peacefully assembling at UC Davis were methodically pepper-sprayed by police despite showing no signs of violence or resistance.
Yesterday, UC President Mark Yudof said that he would convene the 10 UC campus chancellors to ensure proper law enforcement reaction in future protests and Katehi said she would create a task force to investigate the matter and report back in 30 days.
Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) says the actions by Yudof and Katehi are not good enough. Yee wants students involved in Yudof’s meeting and he called Katehi’s task force a sham and that waiting 30 days was an unacceptable amount of time for accountability.
Two years ago, Yee asked Yudof to rescind Katehi’s contract offer after evidence showed her involvement in a University of Illinois scandal. While she was campus provost overseeing the admissions department, students of influential people were admitted despite weak academic records.
“While I appreciate you calling a meeting of the chancellors to ensure an incident like this never happens again, it is imperative that students and members of the public also be included in this meeting,” said Yee in a letter written to Yudof. “The students peacefully assembled were the victims of gross police misconduct and they deserve to have their voices heard.”
Yee also called on Yudof to launch an independent probe of the incident.
“Chancellor Katehi’s task force is a sham with the fox guarding the hen house,” said Yee. “Only a truly independent investigation – absent the influence of her office or the police department – is in order. Students and taxpayers deserve to know what she knew and when, and what direction she gave to campus police. Waiting 30 days, as Katehi suggests, is unacceptable. The evidence is clear and we need to hold individuals accountable.”
In May 2009, the UC Board of Regents approved a $400,000 salary for Katehi. The salary equated to a 27 percent hike from her predecessor and a 12.4 percent increase from her previous position at Illinois.
Her compensation package also includes a University provided house, $9,000 per year automobile allowance, relocation expenses now and upon exiting the position, faculty position after leaving the Chancellor’s office, a low-interest home loan after serving as Chancellor, and a generous pension and health care package, among other benefits. Katehi’s husband, Spyros Tseregounis, also received a faculty position at UC Davis.
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(permission to quote entire press release from Sen. Yee's office.)
http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/...{EFA496BC-EDC8-4E38-9CC7-68D37AC03DFF}&DE
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If past is prologue, Linda Katehi role in the despicable events at UCDavis needs to be thoroughly investigated. UCDavis and the whole Occupy Movement has good reason not to accept this sop of a task force. To repeat what Senator Yee said:
Students and taxpayers deserve to know what she knew and when, and what direction she gave to campus police.
Linda Katehi must not be allowed to say:
These aren't the droids you're looking for...You can go about your business...
Move along.
SPREAD THE WORD.