What’s one more broken rule?

I feel sorry for the legitimate VCU degree holders that have had their degrees devalued in any way by this incident. If 37 exceptions were granted for this student, how many degrees have been granted to students with only 25, or even 15, exceptions? This is a legitimate question since it appears to be the failure of the system rather than the bad judgment of one or two individuals. I wish VCU well as they reform their procedures and attempt to restore their image.

justaguy, parent & taxpayer, at 7:55 am EDT on September 8, 2008

Mr. McGhee’s comment

Mr McGhee is right in noting that it would have been useful to have the full report, but the link he provided related to the problems that occurred recently at West Virginia University which is by no means a Virginia institution.

Del Williams, University of Akron, at 9:20 am EDT on September 8, 2008

I have not gone though VCU’s policies in depth, but most universities that are faced with a degree that is not “earned” or was mistakenly granted, will simply conclude that the degree never was “earned” in the first place. This happens from time to time when people make honest mistakes.

The last time I looked at this issue on behalf of a client, no court has ever second-guessed a university’s decision to do this.

Whatever the case, the police chief is now more famous for his educational shenanigans than for his police work.

Larry, at 11:05 am EDT on September 8, 2008

Too much flexibility?

The requirements for the degree VCU offers in Interdisciplinary Studies, which Chief Monroe was awarded, are remarkably flexible. Yet despite this flexibility 37 exceptions to policy were made. Perhaps there is too much flexibility. Here is VCU’s overview of the program.

“The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies provides opportunities for students to combine disciplines in unique ways. Students can apply for a nontraditional, individualized, and interdisciplinary course of study by designing their own curriculum.

“The non-traditional program is for students who already have some college credits, and who wish to create an individualized curriculum not available in traditional majors. With advising, students in this undergraduate program are able to design a degree compatible with their academic, career and personal interests. Some students pursue the BIS degree to increase their chances for a advancement in their jobs; some realize that the degree will provide personal or job satisfaction; and others want to design a program that will help them change careers. Regardless of the need, each student must define a specific focus area that combines two or more areas of study.”

http://www.vcu.edu/uc/bis/

justaguy, parent & taxpayer, at 3:20 pm EDT on September 8, 2008

Va General Assembly to Investigate VCU Degree

The SACS report downplays the political connections involved as well as some of the questionable tactics involved in the investigation, such as threatening the tenure status of a professor if she did not cooperate with the investigation. The outside company hired was not required to submit a written report, so independent documentation of what they observed of the investigative process is lacking. The local paper has covered the political angle of the story extensively (http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/vcu_monroe_scandal.html).

The Virginia General Assembly is sufficiently concerned to undertake their own investigation of the University’s awarding of the degree and subsequent investigation of how this happened (http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/sea...t-articles-RTD-2008-09-10-0169.html).

Also, VCU posted a laudatory news release (http://www.news.vcu.edu/news.aspx?v=detail&nid=2574) that suggested voluntary rather than disciplinary resignations on the part of the two deans noted in the report (Steingass & Holsworth), both of whom have vigorously denied their resignations were related to the improper degree or requested as disciplinary action by the University. The Provost’s high praise of these individuals does not suggest any punitive intent:

S. Jon Steingass, Ph.D., is leaving as dean of the University College to accept a position in another state. Steingass served as the founding dean of the University College, VCU’s innovative central home for university-wide programs and resources that enhance students’ undergraduate experience. Steingass, who came to VCU in 2001, also served as associate dean for undergraduate affairs for the College of Humanities and Sciences.

“Under Dr. Steingass’ leadership as dean of University College, VCU’s freshmen retention rate has risen more than 20 percent, to 86 percent,” Gottfredson said. “He has become a national leader in the first-year college experience and has assembled an extraordinary team that will ensure the ongoing success of this signature university initiative.”

Robert D. Holsworth, Ph.D., is stepping down as dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences. He will continue at VCU as professor of political science and special assistant to the provost.

Holsworth joined the VCU faculty in 1978 and has served as chair of the political science and public administration departments. He also was director of the Center for Public Policy and director of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Holsworth served as dean beginning in an interim capacity in July 2004.

“I have the greatest respect for what Dr. Holsworth has accomplished as dean of VCU’s largest academic unit,” said Stephen D. Gottfredson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “I am delighted that he will continue to help advance VCU as a major, national university.”

WRE, at 1:55 pm EDT on September 10, 2008

Revoking Degree

If the Police Chief was a stand up kind of guy he would insist upon the revoking of the degree he in no way earned.

The policy that disallows revoking the degree except in cases of student dishonesty is in place to protect students from university error due to misadvisement. It should not stand in such a case as this.

nuff said, at 6:20 am EDT on September 14, 2008