Ewha Womans University is stricken with one scandal after another, its reputation as the nation’s leader in women’s higher learning in tatters.
Last week, an inspection by the education ministry confirmed that Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the central figure in the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye, was given special treatment in admissions and grading.
The ministry said a chief admissions officer allowed Chung to bring in her Asian Games equestrian gold medal for a group interview and influenced other interviewers to score her highly. Chung was admitted over two other applicants who were ahead of her in written tests.
Despite her chronic absenteeism, Chung still got by because professors gave her passing grades. Some of the “helping” hands gained financial rewards in extracurricular projects. Unfortunately, the ministry failed to disclose any shady tit-for-tat deals that should be brought to light through investigations by law authorities. A complaint has been filed against school professors including former president Choi Kyung-hee, who insisted there were no wrongdoings in admissions.
Even before the current scandal is wrapped up, there have been signs of another on its way: an internal power dispute between faculty members loyal to an honorary chairman of the school’s board and those who oppose her. Reports have it that Choi, the former president, was an avatar of Yoon Hoo-jung, the nation’s noted constitutional scholar that influenced the abolition of “hoju,” the patriarchic system that only allowed males to head the official family registry.
On the other side is Chang Sang, former school president who was nominated for prime minister under the Kim Dae-jung administration.
For weeks last summer, the school was brought to a standstill by a dispute pitting the faculty and students against Choi over the opening of a night school in an extension program for those who wanted to earn degrees in practical areas such as beauty enhancement as part of a government initiative.
Although those who opposed it cited Choi’s unilateral and secretive approach, it was fair to say that they thought such a school would demean the prestige of their university. Some critics took issue with their sense of exclusivity for taking an anachronistic approach in denying others a chance for education. Choi abruptly stepped down to end the standoff which was immediately followed by the admissions scandal after Chung’s case got the media’s attention.
For its own future and the health of other universities, Ewha should engage in earnest soul-searching to find a solution to its problems, many of which are also found in other schools as well.