The student newspaper at the University of California at Los Angeles reported today that the university’s orthodontics residency program had violated university policy by giving preferential admission to relatives of major donors to the School of Dentistry.

The university has already conducted an investigation into the matter that found no wrongdoing. The internal audit, which was completed in January, found “no credible and convincing evidence that deals were made or understandings reached to admit an applicant in return for donating money to the school.”

After that audit, the dentistry school made some changes in its admissions policies to improve oversight and transparency, according to a written statement from the university.

However, the Daily Bruin reported today that it had obtained hundreds of e-mail messages and internal documents showing that, over a period of at least five years, the orthodontics program automatically advanced applicants related to major donors over more-qualified students.

In one case, an applicant was told by an admissions-board member that a $60,000 gift to the School of Dentistry would greatly improve his chances of getting in to the program, the paper reported. The Daily Bruin also talked to several faculty members, some anonymously, who claimed to have some knowledge of the admissions preferences.

No-Hee Park, dean of the school, reiterated in a written statement that the audit had found no evidence to support those allegations. “The UCLA School of Dentistry is committed to maintaining the highest standards in all its endeavors,” Dr. Park said. “All of our students have worked hard throughout their academic careers and have credentials worthy of admission to the UCLA School of Dentistry.” —Elyse Ashburn