The Carolina Way (Cont'd)

[DoubleA]

Probation action by accredidation agency? No big deal. After all, "everybody does it"!

[moehler]

wow, the SACS had been talking tough the whole time and all they give UNC is a years probation? If we didn't know the fix was in, we do now, some kind of deal was struck, its impossible to believe that this is the proper justice for what they did. Anyway, the NCAA and UNC are happy as hell, now, it clears the way for the NCAA to just hand down the minimum punishment, probably just a year or two probation, no reduction in schlorships, and men's basketball team will escape without a scratch. What kills me is that if this was a mid major school, ie: App, the SACS and NCAA would have ripped us apart, and would have had guts to stand there and tell us that would have applied the same standards to any other school, regardless of there stature.

[DoubleA]

SACS probation is a severe blow to UNC's reputation, although not unexpected after notice of allegations. I believe this may be the most serious action SACS could take, short of revoking accredidation, and assures UNC will remain under the microscope for at least another year until SACS is satisfied sufficient measures have been taken. I would think this will hurt UNC in recruiting top students, especially out of staters who view Chapel Hill as a public Ivy.

[moehler]

I don't think it hurts Carolina at all, they will quickly put this behind them, and as time passes, top flight kids will still apply and be accepted, nothing will change. If they really wanted to punish Carolina, atleast 3 years probation for the University, and take away accreditation from the dept that oversees the African American studies, for atleast 1 year. As far as Carolina's reputation, it was already in the gutter before the SACS handed down "their pillow slap", that wasn't going to change regardless of what the SACS did.

[DoubleA]

SACS probation should keep them under the microscope for at least another year and is another blow to the university's reputation. This may hurt UNC in recruiting top students who heretofore viewed UNC as a public Ivy and one of the top state schools in the nation.

[Rekdiver]

I'm really not interested unless some of their punishment is they have to play us.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Here is the email that was sent out
---
Dear Carolina Community:

I am writing to inform you that our regional accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), has notified the University in a telephone call that our accreditation is being maintained and that a one-year period of probation will be imposed for Carolina in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the many reforms instituted in recent years in response to the academic irregularities that ended in 2011.

The SACSCOC Board of Trustees convened this week for their biannual meeting. The Commission’s Vice President, Dr. Cheryl Cardell, called today to share the Board’s decision that, in light of the self-reported irregularities of the past, a 12-month period of probation would be imposed. The Commission’s decision is the next step—an expected consequence—in Carolina’s tireless efforts to ensure integrity in everything we do and that the past irregularities are not allowed to recur.

In October 2014, the University notified the Commission of the release of the report prepared by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP documenting the results of its independent investigation into the past academic irregularities. The Commission responded by requesting additional information from Carolina. In January, the University provided SACSCOC with a detailed 200-page report demonstrating compliance with the Commission’s Principles and explaining the extraordinary measures undertaken in recent years to restore trust, hold individuals accountable, and implement an expansive range of reforms. (http://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/updat ... s-sacscoc/)

In today’s call, the Commission took care to acknowledge the University’s adoption and implementation of the many and significant reform measures in recent years. These efforts have indeed been extraordinary and are documented in detail in Carolina’s January submission to SACSCOC. It was clear from the discussion today that the Commission chose to impose a period of probation to acquire an additional year of data regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the University’s reforms and initiatives. It was also clear that the Commission’s decision to extend its period of review was based upon the gravity and length of the past irregularities, as documented in the University-commissioned and independent report of Cadwalader.

The University was informed that the Commission, in accordance with its standard protocols, intends to convey its full findings in a forthcoming letter, which Carolina expects to receive within the next few weeks. At that time, the University will be in a position to comment further on the Commission’s specific findings and will post any further reactions on the Carolina Commitment website. (http://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/)

Let me use this opportunity to underscore again that the University remains accredited. The Commission’s decision to impose a period of probation will have no impact on federal funding, including financial aid available to students and research grants awarded to faculty.

As the University recognized in its January submission to SACSCOC, all great institutions encounter challenges at one time or another. Recent years prove that Carolina is no exception. The important question is how the University has responded and will continue to respond. As your Chancellor, I can assure you that the University’s response—including by every member of my leadership team—has been defined by our unrelenting commitment to get it right and to act with complete integrity.

The University has worked very hard and in complete good faith to provide the Commission with an expansive range of information to demonstrate our compliance with the Commission’s principles, standards and requirements. We have the utmost confidence in our present compliance and in the effectiveness of the many reforms implemented in recent years and will embrace the opportunity during the one-year period of probation to prove that even further. We owe that to the University’s rich and revered history, to our current students, faculty and staff and indeed to the entire Carolina community.

For additional information, please visit the Carolina Commitment website, http://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/.

Sincerely,

Carol L. Folt
Chancellor


This message is sponsored by: Office of the Chancellor

[WVAPPeer]

SACS thinks it is a big deal ---

http://www.wral.com/accrediting-organiz ... /14704731/

[DoubleA]

http://www.dailytarheel.com/article/201 ... -probation


Not exactly a ringing endorsement:
"The consequence is that it’s a black eye on the University," said SACSCOC president Belle Wheelan. "They have a shorter period of time to come into compliance than they would if they had been on warning. But it’s still a fully accredited institution. The degrees are still fine."

In November, SACSCOC cited 18 accreditation standards the University failed to comply with. Following the release of the Wainstein investigation, the University made a case for maintaining its accreditation in a 223-page report submitted to SACSCOC last January.

At Thursday's meeting, the SACSCOC board accepted 11 of the responses. For the seven standards that were not accepted, the board requested more sufficient responses or more time to see the reforms take effect.

"We have the utmost confidence in our present compliance and in the effectiveness of the many reforms implemented in recent years and will embrace the opportunity during the one-year period of probation to prove that even further," Folt said in a statement.

Those seven standards concern academic integrity, program content, control of collegiate athletics, academic support services, the role of faculty governance and federal Title IV program responsibility.


BTW, here's the list of schools who have received Warnings, or are on Probation.

From SACS website:
•Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama
•The Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
•The Art Institute of Houston, Houston, Texas
•Bethel University, McKenzie, Tennessee
•Emmanuel Christian Seminary, Johnson City, Tennessee
•Erskine College, Due West, South Carolina
•Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky
•Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia
•Miami International University of Art & Design, Miami, Florida
•Mid-Continent University, Mayfield, Kentucky
•Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia
•South University, Savannah, Georgia

[Longrifle28]

I wonder if UNC will hang a banner for this too.....

We need true reform within the whole university system. These people have been in control for way too long, and they are corrupt. Equal representation for all schools in the system.

PS-I sure am glad we didn't go to a school in this system with UNC in front of it.

[MAD Doctor]

Chancellor Folt is one serious spinster. She takes this condemnation and portrays it as a wonderful opportunity to remind the "Carolina Community" how they are still better than everyone else. Calling this twenty year long academic fraud a "challenge" that all great universities experience is insulting to the intelligence of everyone (except maybe the AFAM majors). It's amazing how this relentless commitment to integrity wasn't displayed until they were busted. I'm not for gloating over their situation, but their troubles ARE self- inflicted and are the result of cheating and academic fraud. Its time the chancellor and others to stop patting themselves on the back for their "reforms" and acknowledge the disgusting reasons the reforms were necessary. i believe the taxpayers of the state deserve an apology for the tax dollars wasted on salaries for bogus courses neither taught nor attended over the past two decades.

[Longrifle28]

Chancellor Folt is one serious spinster. She takes this condemnation and portrays it as a wonderful opportunity to remind the "Carolina Community" how they are still better than everyone else. Calling this twenty year long academic fraud a "challenge" that all great universities experience is insulting to the intelligence of everyone (except maybe the AFAM majors). It's amazing how this relentless commitment to integrity wasn't displayed until they were busted. I'm not for gloating over their situation, but their troubles ARE self- inflicted and are the result of cheating and academic fraud. Its time the chancellor and others to stop patting themselves on the back for their "reforms" and acknowledge the disgusting reasons the reforms were necessary. i believe the taxpayers of the state deserve an apology for the tax dollars wasted on salaries for bogus courses neither taught nor attended over the past two decades.

I like how they call it an independent investigation when they picked the investigator, set the parameters as to what he could look into, and then paid him. Only problem was he couldn't whitewash this vast situation so he left the door open for a truly independent investigation. But because our BOG are made up of a large majority of UNC alumni, I am sure a truly independent investigation will never occur. Beware of the jedi mind tricks....

[moehler]

this whole investigation has been a joke from the beginning, remember, this isn't just a handful of students taking a bogus class for one semester, but instead this is widely considered the greatest academic fraud in the history of collage academics, we are talking about over 120 years, and yet the only get 1 year probation!?? Are you frickin kidding me!!! I tried to read what their Chancellor wrote, but it was such a spin job I couldn't finish reading it because it insulted my intelligence, it was disingenuous from the parts I read. The bottom line is, Carolina is home free, the NCAA isn't going to do anything, the truth we all have known from the beginning is Carolina is bullet proof, and above any kind of serious sensations.

[DaphneUrquhart]

Chancellor Folt is one serious spinster. She takes this condemnation and portrays it as a wonderful opportunity to remind the "Carolina Community" how they are still better than everyone else. Calling this twenty year long academic fraud a "challenge" that all great universities experience is insulting to the intelligence of everyone (except maybe the AFAM majors). It's amazing how this relentless commitment to integrity wasn't displayed until they were busted. I'm not for gloating over their situation, but their troubles ARE self- inflicted and are the result of cheating and academic fraud. Its time the chancellor and others to stop patting themselves on the back for their "reforms" and acknowledge the disgusting reasons the reforms were necessary. i believe the taxpayers of the state deserve an apology for the tax dollars wasted on salaries for bogus courses neither taught nor attended over the past two decades.

Her email was a joke!

As many of you know, I spend time each year calling Appalachian State alumni and friends to raise money for both Yosef and the Appalachian Fund. I do that because I've fallen in love with Appalachian State University - not for money or recognition or glory, just for love. I know the value of the APR (alumni participation rate) and how that impacts outside sponsorships.

When I received a call from my alma mater (yes, Carolina) a few weeks ago asking me to renew my annual fund pledge, I declined for the first time in ages. The caller told me of the importance of the APR and asked if I could give a token amount. With as much professionalism as I could muster I calmly explained to the caller that the APR was exactly why I was choosing to give nothing - not even a dime. Since the call was being "recorded for quality purposes", I also took the opportunity to explain that I would not be giving another dime to Carolina until such time as the academic house was in order.

I also took the opportunity to say to the recording that all of my donations that had gone to Chapel Hill in previous years would be going to Appalachian State. I am only one, but I am one. It is my hope that many, many Chapel Hill alumni are voting with their wallets and donating those dollars elsewhere.

[mountaineerman]

I'm confused? We have some player that don't make good grades and we have a postseason ban. They have players that don't even have to go to class and know that it's wrong and they get probation ? Seriously I didn't rhink it was possible to hate them anymore than I already did .

[Longrifle28]

I'm confused? We have some player that don't make good grades and we have a postseason ban. They have players that don't even have to go to class and know that it's wrong and they get probation ? Seriously I didn't rhink it was possible to hate them anymore than I already did .

Two seperate situations. This penalty is from the accrediting agency and is about as bad as they will get unless they don't comply. The NCAA has yet to rule.

[MDaniels84]

Chancellor Folt is one serious spinster. She takes this condemnation and portrays it as a wonderful opportunity to remind the "Carolina Community" how they are still better than everyone else. Calling this twenty year long academic fraud a "challenge" that all great universities experience is insulting to the intelligence of everyone (except maybe the AFAM majors). It's amazing how this relentless commitment to integrity wasn't displayed until they were busted. I'm not for gloating over their situation, but their troubles ARE self- inflicted and are the result of cheating and academic fraud. Its time the chancellor and others to stop patting themselves on the back for their "reforms" and acknowledge the disgusting reasons the reforms were necessary. i believe the taxpayers of the state deserve an apology for the tax dollars wasted on salaries for bogus courses neither taught nor attended over the past two decades.

Her email was a joke!

As many of you know, I spend time each year calling Appalachian State alumni and friends to raise money for both Yosef and the Appalachian Fund. I do that because I've fallen in love with Appalachian State University - not for money or recognition or glory, just for love. I know the value of the APR (alumni participation rate) and how that impacts outside sponsorships.

When I received a call from my alma mater (yes, Carolina) a few weeks ago asking me to renew my annual fund pledge, I declined for the first time in ages. The caller told me of the importance of the APR and asked if I could give a token amount. With as much professionalism as I could muster I calmly explained to the caller that the APR was exactly why I was choosing to give nothing - not even a dime. Since the call was being "recorded for quality purposes", I also took the opportunity to explain that I would not be giving another dime to Carolina until such time as the academic house was in order.

I also took the opportunity to say to the recording that all of my donations that had gone to Chapel Hill in previous years would be going to Appalachian State. I am only one, but I am one. It is my hope that many, many Chapel Hill alumni are voting with their wallets and donating those dollars elsewhere.

Daphne,
You, my dear , have just climbed up the ladder from being just a level headed App supporter to App Hall of Famer in my book for not only your post but your overall Mountaineer attitude. I will try to get by your tailgate one game this year to give you deserved praise face to face . Go App !

[asu66]

Time for UNC to put up or shut up!
Scott Hamilton/Winston-Salem Journal

Now we will see if the Carolina Way is still alive or if it was buried with Dean Smith on a warm winter day.
Or if it was even real at all.

That’s the only good that can come from the dumpster fire of academic fraud that continues to burn in Chapel Hill. The flames grew more noxious and reached higher on Thursday with the damning, 59-page notice of allegations from the NCAA. It included the dreaded phrase “lack of institutional control” with regard to the largest academic-fraud case in history, most notably involving men’s and women’s basketball, as well as football.

UNC has 90 days to respond to all of the charges. At some point –– likely later rather than sooner –– we’ll find out if the decades of pious chest-thumping had substance or was merely lip service. That’s when we’ll discover if the Carolina Way isn’t about taking the easy way out — as reams of evidence suggest.

The case goes back nearly four years while the infractions go back decades, altogether creating what Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham labeled as “not a pleasant chapter in the history of this university.”

Of course it’s not pleasant –– getting caught never is pleasurable. Just as unpleasant has been the time, expense and general aggravation of trying to clean up a mess that should never have existed.

To UNC’s credit, by all accounts, it has tidied up the situation. It would take a mammoth conspiracy in order for it to happen again, at least in the relatively near future.

Still, that’s not enough. This calls for the school to do more than throw itself on the mercy of the NCAA’s court.
Because make no mistake about it: The NCAA will hand down punishment and it will not be gentle, regardless of what UNC does over the next few weeks and months. There will be scholarship sanctions and postseason bans while pages will be ripped from the record books.

Don’t think so?

Florida State was stripped of wins in three sports, including football, and put on probation for four years in an academic-fraud case that involved 61 athletes in 2006 and 2007. Georgia’s basketball team was slapped with four years of probation and reduced scholarships after Jim Harrick, Jr. –– an assistant coach and son of the head coach –– awarded three players “A” grades in a class he was teaching. The women’s basketball team at Purdue got two years probation and lost as many scholarships in 2007 because a former assistant wrote two papers for a former player and then hindered the investigation.

Those are isolated misdemeanor shoplifting cases when lined up to UNC’s notorious two-decade stretch.
Bushels of wins could be wiped from the record books for maybe more than a half-dozen sports, just as a few less banners could dangle in the Dean Dome. Such a sentence would rightfully set the athletic department back years, if not at least a solid decade.

The iconic Tar Heels brand will continue to lure some of the nation’s best, though likely no longer the best of the best and certainly not as many. The class of the athlete it will lure –– while down in quality and quantity –– could spare UNC from experiencing prolonged stretches of putrid performances. Mediocrity — and perhaps a notch above if all goes right — would gladly be embraced.

Setting things right

UNC should punish itself as severely as the NCAA surely will –– isn’t that what its mantra is all about?
That means erasing some history, scrubbing entire wings of its house and handicapping its own athletic fortunes. There should be little for the NCAA to do when the time finally arrives for punishment other than to acknowledge that UNC justly judged itself.

The Tar Heels faithful will have to adapt to a new normal while their detractors pop champagne corks before toasting with mocking cheers. The only solace would be if UNC’s teams are merely competing. Self-punishment with grace would be a victory and prove the Carolina Way is legit.

Otherwise it’s an outdated credo that grew irrelevant with each win, a message that was diluted annually to the point of being merely a saying that looked cool on T-shirts, caps and book jackets.

And it would be as much of a sham as dozens of UNC athletes’ transcripts.

-- @ScottH_WSJ

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Time for UNC to put up or shut up!
Scott Hamilton/Winston-Salem Journal

Now we will see if the Carolina Way is still alive or if it was buried with Dean Smith on a warm winter day.
Or if it was even real at all.

That’s the only good that can come from the dumpster fire of academic fraud that continues to burn in Chapel Hill. The flames grew more noxious ...

And it would be as much of a sham as dozens of UNC athletes’ transcripts.

-- @ScottH_WSJ

Is Scott a sports reporter, I assume, or general news/opinion?

[AppinVA]