The UNC scandal took an interesting and significant step Thursday as Chancellor Holden Thorp asked former Gov. Jim Martin and a firm called Virchow, Krause & Co. to take a closer look at the mess that the university finds itself in.
The chancellor is on the right track here but it would probably have been better if instead of saying this:
As part of our ongoing review of academic irregularities disclosed in May in our review of courses in African and Afro-American Studies, we have been reviewing the extent to which irregularities may have occurred prior to 2007. In consultation with our Board of Trustees and UNC President Tom Ross, we have asked James G. Martin, former N.C. governor and a former professor at Davidson College, to lead an independent review of any additional academic irregularities that may have occurred. Governor Martinâs expanded review will be assisted by Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP, a national management consulting firm with extensive experience in academic performance audit procedures and controls. Members of the Board of Trustees, President Ross and I all believe that this is an important step in rebuilding the confidence that you deserve to have in our academic integrity. This review will begin immediately.
Governor Martin and Virchow, Krause & Company will provide their findings to the UNC Board of Governors panel that is now assessing the Universityâs previous investigation. We will then ask Virchow, Krause & Company to review the new academic performance policies, procedures and controls that we have already implemented to ensure that they represent best practices and, if not, to make specific recommendations for improvement. We are determined to make sure that our internal controls are such that irregularities of the past will not recur.
He had said something like this instead:
As part of our ongoing review of academic irregularities disclosed in May in our review of courses in African and Afro-American Studies, we have been reviewing the extent to which irregularities may have occurred prior to 2007. In consultation with our Board of Trustees and UNC President Tom Ross, we have asked James G. Martin, former N.C. governor and a former professor at Davidson College, to lead an independent review of any additional academic irregularities that may have occurred. Governor Martinâs expanded review will be assisted by Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP, a national management consulting firm with extensive experience in academic performance audit procedures and controls. Members of the Board of Trustees, President Ross and I all believe that this is an important step in rebuilding the confidence that you deserve to have in our academic integrity. This review will begin immediately. I have asked Gov. Martin to leave no stone unturned in his search and to ignore any sacred cows at the University. He has assured me that the investigation will be an unrelenting and thorough search for the truth.
Governor Martin and Virchow, Krause & Company will provide their findings to the UNC Board of Governors panel that is now assessing the Universityâs previous investigation. We will then ask Virchow, Krause & Company to review the new academic performance policies, procedures and controls that we have already implemented to ensure that they represent best practices and, if not, to make specific recommendations for improvement. We are determined to make sure that our internal controls are such that irregularities of the past will not recur.
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