Complaint to the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools regarding the University of Chicago, April 2008

Cover letter:

Dear Commission Members: Enclosed is my complaint against the University of Chicago. As related in my statement, punishment has probably already been inflicted on the university. That might be, for example, in the form of heavy investment losses and other effects from recession. That punishment is being imposed by the “Unseen Hand” of economics. And the city of Chicago is also being punished. There’s likely to be more bad economic news for at least a year on so.         I shouldn’t want to get even with either the university or the city; that wouldn’t be nice. If, however, I did harbor thoughts of getting even, what’s happening now should have more than satisfied me.          So I’m not wishing to hurt the university any more than it’s already being hurt. I’d like to see a beneficial outcome for all. It might be good if the administration could receive a little coaching from an entity, such as your commission, that isn’t part of the university’s own internal peck order.               Best Regards,               David Gaus

Here are documents showing that David Gaus was at one time considered an alumnus of the University of Chicago. Note Mr. Gaus's name printed on one document. click to view Mr. Gaus also has for sale lightly-used back issues of the University of Chicago Magazine. All those magizines also have his name printed on them. Call 317 523 -  6943, if interested in buying

Statement to Commission:

The mission of the University of Chicago has strayed so far from education and the conduct of the administration has become so venal and dishonest that its accreditation should be either revoked or suspended until reforms are initiated.  My story: In 2005, I received a letter from “Laura Gruen,” which stated that I wouldn’t be accorded privileges accorded to other alumni. I also talked four of five times on the phone to someone who was identified to me as “Laura Gruen,”--but it’s not clear to me whether or not I was always talking to the same person. The voice at times seemed younger and at times older. “Gruen” is the original form of the name “Greenspan.” My best guess about this is that I talked at least on one occasion to someone whose real name was probably “Laura Greenspan.” I imagine she used the older name in order to keep me from making a connection with “Greenspan,” and, at the same time, to covertly convey what she considered her excellent lineage.         According to her, my conduct had been judged to be so dark, so villainous that I--alone of all Chicago alumni--had been singled out form a unique form of punishment.              I wasn't going to be allowed to communicate with other alumni via the university's web site. If I remember correctly, she specifically said that I was the only alumnus to have ever had that restriction imposed.         More recently, I followed instructions given in a mailing I received from the university for obtaining an alumnus ID card, but didn’t receive one. I’m thus denied use of their excellent library, which is a significant privation, in view of my profession as scientist and journalist. If I were in Chicago, I don’t think they’d let me use the gym, as alumni are allowed to do. It isn’t clear to me that the university would tell the truth if asked by a third party whether or not I have a degree from them. In a phone call to the office of Mr. James Crown, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the university, I complained that I’m, in fact, the victim of identity theft. Continue statement

The role of Laura Gruen at UChicago is mysterious and may include ghost employement or some sort of a sweetheart deal between UChicago and the Federal Reserve--with David Gaus as the patsy.      Below is a scanned image of a page from the UChicago web site as printed on paper to fix the date. It shows Laura Gruen as a Vice President for Development. UChicago had another page with all its many vice presidents listed. Laura wasn't among them. As of the time of this writing (June 5, 2008), the university had been unwilling to help clear up this mystery.        Date of printing on paper (5/3/08) is at lower right.