Medill Dean Cleared of Ethics Breach

by John C Abell

Medill Dean John Lavine has been cleared of any wrongdoing for the use of anonymous quotes in an alumni newsletter. The announcement was made in a letter to the Medill community on Friday from Provost Dean Linzer, who said in effect that he considered the matter closed.

A panel constituted the Linzer and comprised of three distinguished school graduates concluded that there was "ample evidence that the quotes were consistent with sentiment students expressed about the course in course evaluations and no evidence to point to any likelihood that the quotes were fabricated," says the letter, posted on Romenesko.

"The committee unanimously concluded that although a record of the student statements that were quoted cannot be found, sufficient material does exist about the relevant storefront reporting experience and marketing course to demonstrate that sentiments similar to the quotes had been expressed by students."

"The committee further stated that the author of a piece like the "Letter from the Dean" could not reasonably be expected to have retained for a year the notes or e-mails documenting the sources of quotations used in the letter; nonetheless, the committee advised that in the future such meticulous archiving might be desirable given the heightened awareness of the problems that can result.

"I accept the committee's conclusions. While I join Dean Lavine in wishing that material demonstrating the sources of the quotations was readily available, I have determined that no violation of University policy has occurred in connection with the Spring 2007 'Letter from the Dean.' I have confidence in Dean Lavine to continue to lead the Medill School of Journalism."

The original question about the veracity of the quotes was raised by Medill student David Spett, who in his column for the Daily Northwestern said he spoken to every student who could have made the statements and that all denied having done so. Spett also said the remarks did not seem to sound like the vernacular used by his contemporaries, but he concluded that there was no way of knowing if Lavine had made them up and that he took the dean at his word.