An independent investigation into academic fraud at the University of North Carolina concluded that the problem was far more widespread than initially believed.
Over 3,100 students over the course of almost twenty years enrolled in “no-show classes” and had their GPAs artificially inflated. More than half of these students were athletes, who were steered toward these classes in an effort to keep them eligible. These findings conclude a multi-year investigation, which was rooted in a 2010 NCAA probe into alleged improper benefits being received by athletes.
The majority of the classes were located in the university’s African and Afro-American studies department, where students were able to enroll in “paper” classes. The only work required in these classes was to write one research paper per semester and students were given a grade of A or B regardless of the quality of their work. These developments could lead to NCAA sanctions against the school’s athletic programs, who have already been disciplined by the NCAA for academic misconduct. In 2012, the Tar Heel football team suffered a reduction in scholarships after an athletic tutor offering improper assistance to athletes by writing papers for them.
While it is not yet known whether more sanctions are on the way, it appears certain that some form of punishment is forthcoming. Whether prominent administrators lose their jobs or the athletic program is punished has yet to be determined.
