A NEIU student journalist filed an ethics complaint against Manish Kumar, Vice President of Finance and Administration, at NEIU on April 17, 2023. 

The complainant alleges that he felt pressured by Kumar to provide favorable news coverage of the administration and the university. The student said “he was trying to…influence me into saying good things about him”.

The process after an ethics complaint has been filed consists of four steps, though those steps are only taken if during the first step – the initial review – it has been determined that enough information exists to initiate an inquiry.

In a statement to the Independent, the student said that during their second call, “Manish offered to get me an internship next year, when I am ready, at the Chicago Tribune or elsewhere. He said he would make some phone calls in my favor.” He went on, “He wanted me to think of him as a mentor who could help me advance my career and academic endeavors.”

In an interview with the Independent Kumar denied any wrongdoing saying, “No! Fuck no!” about having pressured the student. He went on to say, “I don’t need positive coverage, my work speaks for itself.” Kumar also said that he has no connection to the Chicago Tribune.