UCR Policies and Procedures

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Policy Title: Integrity in Admissions

Policy Number: 500-50

Responsible Officer:	Vice Chancellor, University Advancement Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor
Responsible Office:	University Advancement Office of the Provost
Origination Date:	04/16/2021
Date of Revision:	09/14/2021
Date of Last Review:	09/14/2021

I. Policy Summary and Scope

This policy ensures that financial considerations are not factors in admissions decisions. The policy prohibits the exchange of all information related to Charitable Support of UCR programs between admissions and University Advancement Personnel, which minimizes the risk of Privilege Bias (real or perceived) based on the history or promise of Charitable Support. This policy applies to members of University Advancement, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions, Medical School Admissions, and all other UCR employees acting in either an admissions or external relations capacity. This policy reflects UCR’s commitment to integrity in admissions by recognizing the importance of avoiding actual or apparent conflicts of interest in the admissions process and is guided by UC Regents Policies 1111 and 2202.

II. Definitions

Charitable Support: Charitable support includes donations of cash, goods, or services made to a nonprofit organization to help it accomplish its goals. It could also pertain to offers of influence to help secure these same gifts.

University Advancement Personnel: Staff members with campus development, external affairs, fundraising, donor relations, alumni relations, or alumni outreach responsibilities.

Privilege Bias: In this context, favoring an applicant with affluence or influence in the admissions process that results in an advantage or special right for that individual applicant.

III. Policy

To avoid any actual or potential bias, the policy restricts communications regarding applicants between University Advancement Personnel and Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions and Medical School Admissions.

A. University Advancement Personnel must, under no circumstances, seek out or disclose to Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions and Medical School Admissions, or vice versa, any information related to an applicant or prospective applicant. Such prohibited information includes, but is not limited to:

1. Admission status;

2. Knowledge of past, current (pending), or potential future charitable financial support from an applicant, applicant’s relative(s), or agent working on behalf of an applicant.

B. Within University Advancement, as a matter of practice, if a prospective donor discloses that they have a personal or financial relationship with an individual applying for admission, University Advancement Personnel will defer the gift conversation until after the admissions decision is finalized to remove even the perception of undue influence. Examples of personal relationships include, but are not limited to, friends, family members, former employers, business/social/academic associates, and/or known relatives of any of those named above. Examples of financial relationships include, but are not limited to, the donor, or their immediate family member, currently or previously having a shared ownership interest with an applicant or a member of their immediate family, or a relationship in which they receive a salary, gift, royalty, trade, intellectual property right, consulting fee, honoraria, or other financial benefit.

V. Responsibilities

All staff who are involved in informing or recommending admissions decisions are to report any attempts to inappropriately influence admissions decisions, regardless of source, to their supervisors or to the director of undergraduate admissions, graduate admissions, or medical school admissions. Employees also have the option of reporting these issues through the whistleblower process to the Locally Designated Official or via the whistleblower hotline.

VI. References

· UC Regents Policy 1111: Policy on Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct

· UC Regents Policy 2202: Policy Barring Development Considerations from Influencing Admissions Decisions

VII. Approval and Revision History

This policy was originally approved by Vice Chancellor, University Advancement and Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor on April 16, 2021. The policy was revised and approved effective May 19, 2021 to further clarify a complete prohibition on communication between Development Personnel and admissions offices about applicants and prospective applicants. The policy was further revised effective September 14, 2021 to change the term Development Personnel to the more broadly defined University Advancement Personnel in alignment with California Assembly Bill 251.