Northwestern dean's quotes under scrutiny

Northwestern University said it is reviewing the use of unnamed sources and "the veracity of quotations" in writings by the dean of the Medill School of Journalism. John Lavine cited unnamed students in two introductory letters he wrote for the journalism school's alumni magazine last year. One of the quotes, attributed to a Medill junior, praised a particular advertising class, saying in part: "... I sure felt good about this class. It is one of the best I've taken." A student working for the university newspaper wrote in a column last week he questioned all 29 students in the class. All denied saying the quote, even when promised their names would not be printed, David Spett wrote. At Medill, a prestigious journalism school, students are instructed to be careful in using anonymous sources. Professors often require students to submit contact information for each person quoted in their articles to guard against quotes being made up.