BRIEFING FOR SSCI STAFF ON CIA PROPOSED TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87M01152R001101380017-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 12, 2011
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: October 29, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/12: CIA-RDP87M01152R001101380017-5
ou fuf
Recpt #
OLL 85-3313
29 October 1985
STAT
STAT
SUBJECT Briefing for SSCI Staff on CIA proposed
tuition assistance program
1. At the request of Gary Chase and Dan Finn, the Agency
provided a briefing on its proposed tuition assistance
program. On October 24, 1985, a b cted at SSCI
committee offices. Attending were =7(DD/OP/E)F
(OTE), (OGC) and (OLL). From
Committee Staff, Gary Chase, Dan Finn and Charles Battaglia
were present.
2. After introductions,) was called upon to
give a detailed presentation about the tuition assistance
program. Emphasis was placed upon our need for students having
an engineering and science background. We have fallen into a
competitive disadvantage compared to private sector
recruitment. Private companies offer higher salaries and
superior benefit packages. Other government agencies already
have tuition assistance programs. The best the Agency has to
offer is a work-study program, which has been used as a key
tool in minority and woman recruitment. Another positive
factor in the work-study program is that it promotes
geographical balance in the CIA work force. Adding a tuition
assistance benefit, would enhance the program and improve our
competitive position in recruiting.
3. Most of the concern for the SSCI staff focused on
whether the program would be used for "operational" purposes,
rather than purely a talent search. In the view of Gary Chase,
4. Assurances were given that the program was never meant
to be used for operational purposes. Its sole purpose is to
hire persons having critical skills, primarily in engineering
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and the sciences. Most of the students would go into the DDI
and DDS&T. All of the tuition assistance candidates will be
drawn from the work-study program and all have clearances.
When a student returns to the campus after a summer work period
at the Agency, he is given no operational tasking whatsoever.
There is no official contact by the agency when the student is
back at school.
5. Staff was also interested in the methods of the
recruitment process. explained how he visited
campuses throughout the country and spoke to university
officials and students about the Agency program. He briefed
students, professors and officials only with the permission of
the university. All contacts were open and public in much the
same way that other public and private agencies recruited. At
this point Dan Finn noted that the son of a defendant in a
criminal case involving the CIA (U.S. v. Rewald) was recruited
to go to the University of Hawaii for spotting and assesing
foreign students. Exposure of these operational efforts caused
embarrasment for the Agency and drew criticism of Senators from
Hawaii. Dan Finn wanted a commitment from us that the tuition
assistance would not be used for such conduct.
6. After the university placement office and hierachy are
briefed, students are then made available for the various
programs that recruiters have briefed university officials on.
Dan Finn questioned whether we ensure that top officials of the
university are made aware of Agency recruiting efforts on
campus. Dan Finn then made reference about a problem at
another university where a low level official of the school was
notified but not the top officials. Mr. Battaglia wanted to
know how well the CIA program was received on campus. Both
students. Agency personnel spoke to standing-room-only
crowds. Presently, there are 250 undergraduates and about 65
graduate students in the program. We also noted that other
government agencies have student tuition programs: NSA, Naval
Weapons Research, Health Service Scholarship and Indian Health
Scholarship programs.
told of the overwhelming enthusiasm by
7. More information was asked for by Mr. Battaglia about
the contractual commitment that the student makes to work for
the Agency after graduation, if the student receives tuition
assistance. Moreover, how would the Agency collect in the
event that the student did not live p to his agreement. In
answer to those questions, said that the student
signed a letter of intent which evidences a contractual
commitment. This is the most common method of making such a
commitment in competiting programs. If the student abandons
his commitment, a reasonable repayment schedule is worked out
so as not to impose too much of an immediate financial burden.
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8. Discussion then returned to whether this program was
intended for operational use. More assurances were given that
all aspects of the program were overt and non-operational. CIA
presence on the campus is public and every effort is made to
inform the placement office and university higher ups of our
presence. As matter of fact the publicity is an aid to
recruitment.
9. SSCI staff suggested that we send a letter to the
Senate and House Intelligence Committees establishing for the
record that: (1) the tuition
intended for operations,
a the Agency make every
e or to notify top university officials of CIA tuition
assistance recruiting efforts, (4) that when students return to
the campus after a work period at the agency, they are given no
operational tasking ( i.e. spotting & assesing ), and
(5) include other positive aspects of the program in the
letter, such as its use for minority and woman recruiting and
the achievement of geographical balance in the Agency work
force.
provide in orma eon to answer all other matters. Our goal is
to make the plan available for this semester.
10. All committee staff expressed support for the program
when the meeting concluded. While a member of HPSCI staff was
invited to this briefing, no one showed up. We will probably
have to repeat this briefing to HPSCI. I will arrange for that
briefing.
Deputy Chi f, Legislation Division.
Office L-Legislative Liaison
Distribution:
Original - Leg/Sub - Misc. Pers.
1 - D/OLL
1 - DD/OLL
OLL Chrono
-
S
LEG/OLL: Iibm (29 Oct 1985)
STAT
STAT
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