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Auburn launches investigation
By Christa Turner, Staff Writer
AUBURN, Ala. ? Auburn University is investigating allegations of academic fraud within the athletic department, according to a statement president Ed Richardson issued to university employees Thursday.
Richardson told Auburn faculty that Provost John Heilman was investigating anonymous charges into grade-fixing for student-athletes.
The investigation began last month.
"Auburn has been, and is, fortunate to have many dedicated instructors, who, like us, will not tolerate academic misconduct," Richardson said in a release. "... We will deal with this issue as we have dealt with other challenges ? directly and openly."
Richardson was in Hawaii and unavailable for comment. He will return Monday. Auburn spokesperson David Granger said they hope to conclude the investigation as soon as possible, but "a timetable isn?t etched in stone."
Athletic director Jay Jacobs was also unavailable for comment.
In the release, Heilman said an allegation was registered through EthicsPoint in May stating one Auburn professor gave grades to athletes for coursed that required little or no work.
EthicsPoint is an Internet-based company which helps manage ethics and compliance in the corporate world, as well as higher education and non-profit sectors, according to its Web site. It allows employers to combine a whistleblower hotline, incident management and interface for detailed analysis.
Heilman said in his statement that he appointed a committee to investigate the claim but it isn?t complete. He said a public report would not be issued until it was finished and he would not comment on it until that time.
"Academic integrity is at the foundation of every university," Heilman said in the release. "The office of the Provost takes any concern related to academic processes at the University seriously."
Cindy Brunner, a professor in pathobiology and member of the faculty senate, said she had faith the issue would be resolved.
"If there is an academic issue, it will be resolved ... and fixed," Brunner said. "The faculty will not allow that to proceed any other way."
By Christa Turner, Staff Writer
AUBURN, Ala. ? Auburn University is investigating allegations of academic fraud within the athletic department, according to a statement president Ed Richardson issued to university employees Thursday.
Richardson told Auburn faculty that Provost John Heilman was investigating anonymous charges into grade-fixing for student-athletes.
The investigation began last month.
"Auburn has been, and is, fortunate to have many dedicated instructors, who, like us, will not tolerate academic misconduct," Richardson said in a release. "... We will deal with this issue as we have dealt with other challenges ? directly and openly."
Richardson was in Hawaii and unavailable for comment. He will return Monday. Auburn spokesperson David Granger said they hope to conclude the investigation as soon as possible, but "a timetable isn?t etched in stone."
Athletic director Jay Jacobs was also unavailable for comment.
In the release, Heilman said an allegation was registered through EthicsPoint in May stating one Auburn professor gave grades to athletes for coursed that required little or no work.
EthicsPoint is an Internet-based company which helps manage ethics and compliance in the corporate world, as well as higher education and non-profit sectors, according to its Web site. It allows employers to combine a whistleblower hotline, incident management and interface for detailed analysis.
Heilman said in his statement that he appointed a committee to investigate the claim but it isn?t complete. He said a public report would not be issued until it was finished and he would not comment on it until that time.
"Academic integrity is at the foundation of every university," Heilman said in the release. "The office of the Provost takes any concern related to academic processes at the University seriously."
Cindy Brunner, a professor in pathobiology and member of the faculty senate, said she had faith the issue would be resolved.
"If there is an academic issue, it will be resolved ... and fixed," Brunner said. "The faculty will not allow that to proceed any other way."
