U of I law school dean on leave over data

URBANA, Ill. — An assistant dean at the University of Illinois College of Law has been placed on administrative leave after the university received complaints that grade and standardized test data for the incoming class had been inflated on university literature, officials said Sunday.

The data — grade point averages and median Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT, scores — had been exaggerated on the university’s website and promotional publications for the class of 2014, according to a news release Sunday. The university’s ethics office received a warning last month. The reported inaccuracies were discovered Friday, and alumni were informed over the weekend.

University spokesman Tom Hardy said the information had been available for a few weeks online but has since removed from the website.

“This matter is being taken very seriously by the highest levels of the university, the campus and the College of Law, and a thorough inquiry into the facts has been initiated,” university officials said in a statement Sunday.

The snapshot data of law school students is often used to attract future students, among other things.

University officials declined to name the dean on Sunday; they said the associate dean for academic affairs has assumed those duties.

An investigation has been launched by an independent advisory firm as well as Chicago attorneys.

“The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has directed the administration to complete a thorough and swift investigation that uncovers the source of the concern and enhances and protects the data collection and reporting system to ensure that past, current and future data are accurate, complete and verifiable,” a university statement said.