MIT dean resigns for misrepresenting credentials
POSTED: 2:02 p.m. EDT, April 26, 2007

(AP) -- The Massachusetts Institute of Technology said Thursday that admissions dean Marilee Jones -- a crusader for reducing the anxiety around college admissions -- has resigned for misrepresenting her academic credentials to the university.

Jones, dean since 1997, has been a highly visible campaigner for reforming the college admissions process. She issued a statement saying she had misrepresented her credentials when she first came to work at MIT 28 years ago and "did not have the courage to correct my resume when I applied for my current job or at any time since.

"I am deeply sorry for this and for disappointing so many in the MIT community and beyond who supported me, believed in me, and who have given me extraordinary opportunities," she said.

MIT spokeswoman Patti Richards said Jones has at various times claimed to have degrees from Union College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Albany Medical College, but Richards had no immediate information on what degrees Jones actually has or how the matter was uncovered.

Dean of Undergraduate Education Daniel Hastings announced Jones' resignation in an e-mail to MIT.

"This is a sad and unfortunate event," he said. "But the integrity of the Institute is our highest priority, and we cannot tolerate this kind of behavior."