Regarding Dorsey from a poster

Posted at 8:00am — 6/15/2010

To GBMW Staff: Regarding Dorsey

You need to do MORE research about the issue. I think you will find that On-Line courses for the last semester may not be the way to get in to UM. I suggested that all the blame for his non-admission be looked at in the south. Thought you might enjoy this not from AD.

Much has been made of the recent news about a prospective student-athlete who had signed a letter of intent for our football program and his admission status at the University of Michigan. To the extent that I am able, I’d like to set the record straight. I use that qualification because the University can’t and won’t reveal the particular academic issues for any specific prospect….for reasons that are both proper and compassionate.

I can, however, talk about the process in general, and correct some misconceptions. The first is that there is some disconnect between Michigan Athletics and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. There is not.

The admissions office has been very supportive of Michigan Athletics for many years and there is no way they are doing anything more than what they believe is in the best interest of the prospect and the university. The admissions office is very separate from Athletics (reporting to the Provost of the university) and does not have any interest in the drama and intrigue brought to these matters by passionate football fans.

There are no factions. There is no conspiracy. This is not about politics. The simple truth is that meeting minimum NCAA GPA standards alone has NEVER qualified someone for admission at the University of Michigan. Coaches, administrators and prospects are all very much aware of this fact and go into the recruitment process with their eyes wide open.

Why, then, do letters of intent get signed, before admission is secured? On occasion, we have prospects who have unacceptable or incomplete qualifications for admission and more facts have to be gathered (post the signing of the LOI) to allow our admissions office to reach the stage where they can make a final decision. Coaches fully understand the risks associated with signing these prospects – including the reality that they don’t always successfully make it through admissions. Grade-point average is not the only criteria. There are plenty of other factors that are considered by admissions, including such things as where and how the GPA was created, specific course work requirements, test scores, etc. And in the end, some of the prospects will just not make the cut.

Another misconception is that the individual being subjected to all of the news coverage is a unique situation. He is not.

His unfortunate situation has been distorted by misinformation that is being accepted as fact by some folks who clearly don’t understand the process or the number of these situations we manage as part of our regular signing/applications for admissions activities.

Our admissions office has dealt with similar circumstances many times over the years and when they have chosen to not admit a prospect, nobody has ever questioned their integrity or motives. They are just doing their job with the utmost integrity.

I hope this is helpful in bringing some balance and a more objective perspective to this unfortunate situation.

R.E.L.