A recently released report highlighting the findings of an internal investigation into the African and Afro-American Studies program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has triggered strong reaction from faculty and students around the campus.The nine-month review, prompted by the academic scandal involving former players on the UNC football team, found widespread misconduct, teaching irregularities, grade changing and even forged signatures within the African and Afro-American Studies department from summer 2007 through the 2009 school year. It places the blame for the improprieties on just two people – former department chair Julius Nyang’oro and his now retired assistant Debbie Crowder.
But some on the faculty believe that it is another example of problems in the system.
”I was sickened by it as I think most faculty around the campus were,” said history professor Jay Smith.
“There is this sense that the institutional integrity of UNC is being eroded over time.”
Smith is quick to point out that these specific concerns can be narrowed to a select couple faculty members. "One of the most disturbing things of this whole sordid affair is that that department has been unforuntately unfairly sullied by this entire story," Smith said. "We know that most of the people, virtually all of the people in that department, are good scholars, good teachers, very responsible citizens.”
Well, it sounds like it was one professor (very unfortunately,, the department chair), one department administrator, and -- surprise! -- a whole lot of athletes in search of credits.
ReplyDeleteThe really sad thing here, I think, is that the people who allowed academics to be sacrificed to the pursuit of athletic prestige were in secure positions, able to say "no" (to others or themselves) without risking their jobs. How many professors (and "tutors") find themselves under similar pressure, but with much less security?