A degree
A degree (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

What kind of example is being set at colleges where athletes are given a degree without having to actually go to class and study and learn like the non athletes do?

Sure they bring in revenue to the college, big deal! They need an education to help them earn a living after their sports careers end. The school is NOT teaching them anything but that cheating is okay.

I was on jury duty about thirty years ago. One trial was of a professor who was accused of teaching graduate students a class they needed to show they were continuing their education. The class never met, he never assigned any work, and he gave each of them an A. He said, “They are all educated and know what they need to do to pass the class“.  These were college and high school teachers. We found him guilty of fraud and the “students” of his were tried  at a later date.

This kind of thing is wrong and should never happen. These students are being cheated and they are cheating other students who actually do the work.  I worry about the message this kind of thing sends to athletes and other students. Are they thinking that cheating is okay? Do they think, this is how the world works?

“Some of these athletes can barely read.” quoting Jake Tapper. I find him a poor example of a newsman, but in this case I agree with him. This is not something new. It is however coming to light now that a whistle blower, Mary Willingham has shined a bright light on the issue.

This is a massive scandal. What should be done to those frauds who got their college degrees fraudulently? Should their credentials be taken away? I think so. This is not fair to those who could not afford to go to college and have to work a lesser paying job because they didn’t get a degree. This is teaching people that it is okay to cheat. It is NOT okay to cheat and there should be consequences even after years.

 

Those are my thoughts, what are yours?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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monicaangelakesmarnNirekJames Michael Brodie Recent comment authors
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kesmarn
Admin

Nirek, I think the kids who got sucked into this fraudulent degree program should be offered an opportunity to go back and take real courses with real requirements (and tutoring help, if they need it) in order to get a credible degree. I realize that may seem to be a pretty “soft” approach to them, but I think they may deserve a little slack (especially those who are the first in their families to go to college, because they may have been under the impression that this is just “the way it’s done”).

Now, the people in administration and faculty who participated? That’s another story. Time for some consequences for them!

monicaangela
Member

Exactly Kes….An all expense paid 4 year program for the students with additional benefits for those who need extra tutoring, and JAIL time for the administration and faculty that willingly participated in this travesty of justice. Examples need to be set, so penalties should be stiff and fines should be through the roof IMHO. 🙂

James Michael Brodie
Member

What is scary about the UNC case is that half of the kids are not jocks.