USG Admissions Policy Timeline

Jan-Feb, 1997 Informal discussions with Vice-Chancellor Fullerton about the proposed new policy, raising concerns about how "C-equivalent" cut scores would be set, logistics, etc.

March 7, 1997 Policy memo to USG Institutions, implementing SAT II requirement for graduates of home study and non-accredited private schools

July, 1997 ETS report on Angoff study submitted to Chancellor's office

August 25, 1997 HEIR letter to Chancellor, calling for suspension of the new policy, and creation of a new task force that would include homeschooling representation; analysis of cut scores was attached

October 21, 1997 Chancellor meets with HEIR, agrees to review cut scores and to work with homeschoolers to develop at least one alternative admissions "pilot" based on SAT I and portfolio; agrees to annual review of admissions policy

December 29, 1997 HEIR letter to Chancellor expressing concern over the lack of action by the Chancellor's office

December 30, 1997 Senior Vice Chancellor Muyskins letter attempts to refute HEIR analysis, and offers meeting with ETS "experts"

January 21, 1998 HEIR letter to Muyskins, asking for expedited meeting with ETS, and including a simplified analysis, still showing the patent unfairness of the SAT II cut scores

February 4, 1998 HEIR meets with Muyskins, who says cut scores are fair and no action will be taken; homeschoolers are free to suggest alternative policies, but the Chancellor's office is taking no action on its own

February 20, 1998 Letter from Muyskins once again attempts to refute analysis of cut scores

February 28, 1998 Sen. Balfour uses HEIR statistics in comments from the Senate well

March, 1998 Coalition forms for the purpose of developing an alternative admissions policy. Coalition works until mid-September to examine alternatives, establish principles, and refine proposals. The Chancellor is notified in mid-September that a proposal will be delivered by the end of September, and at that time finally identifies one of his staff who should be included in the effort. At that point, the Coalition's work is already completed.

August 21, 1998 HEIR responds to Muyskin's February 20 letter

September 30, 1998 Coalition proposal submitted to Chancellor Portch

January 20, 1999 Chancellor Portch replies with a ten day deadline to accept or reject his counter-proposal, which makes the Coalition proposal more stringent and still requires SAT II tests

February 1, 1999 Coalition responds to Chancellor, calling for dialog, not ultimatums

February 8, 1999 Chancellor refuses dialog and compromise, responding to USG presidents, not to Coalition

February 27, 1999 HEIR calls for supporters to tell Chancellor if they want a public hearing

March 9, 1999 Coalition receives copies of over 200 signatures of supporters sent to Chancellor requesting a public hearing

February 21, 2001 Senator Don Cheeks reveals a BOR draft containing a new admissions path for home study students closely resembling the coalition's proposal

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