Spring Break
Monroe to keep VCU degree despite dissent
ANNA YATES - News Co-Editor
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: News
All VCU students are held to the standard of completing the last 30 of 120 credit hours at the university. Former Police Chief Rodney Monroe was not held to this residency standard this past spring.
Monroe was awarded a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies after taking only six credits at VCU. After an anonymous complaint about the degree, the university faced scrutiny from the community and saw some members of its staff resign.
Thomas Rosenthal, rector of the VCU Board of Visitors, who received the anonymous complaint about Monroe's degree in May, said the board has been trying to determine why the degree was granted.
"From the board standpoint, that's one of the really big questions," Rosenthal said. "Was it right? Absolutely not. It was unfair. Alumni and students work very hard for their degrees, and he should not have gotten that degree."
The Department of Assurance Services investigation found no evidence Monroe was aware of any wrongdoing, which means he will be allowed to keep the degree.
"The only reason, currently, that we are allowed to revoke a degree is for academic misconduct," Rosenthal said.
The Board of Visitors issued a statement about the investigation this past Thursday.
"The improper awarding of a degree resulted from serious errors of judgment," the board stated.
Rosenthal said these errors should not be unforgivable offenses.
"All of the people involved are really good people, and people make mistakes," Rosenthal said. "That doesn't mean people should be driven from our community. They still have a lot to offer our VCU community."
While no statements have been made specifically linking any resignations to the improper awarding of the Monroe degree, several resignations followed the investigation.
S. Jon Steingass, former dean of the University College, signed Monroe's graduation application and recently resigned in order to take a position in another state.
Monroe was awarded a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies after taking only six credits at VCU. After an anonymous complaint about the degree, the university faced scrutiny from the community and saw some members of its staff resign.
Thomas Rosenthal, rector of the VCU Board of Visitors, who received the anonymous complaint about Monroe's degree in May, said the board has been trying to determine why the degree was granted.
"From the board standpoint, that's one of the really big questions," Rosenthal said. "Was it right? Absolutely not. It was unfair. Alumni and students work very hard for their degrees, and he should not have gotten that degree."
The Department of Assurance Services investigation found no evidence Monroe was aware of any wrongdoing, which means he will be allowed to keep the degree.
"The only reason, currently, that we are allowed to revoke a degree is for academic misconduct," Rosenthal said.
The Board of Visitors issued a statement about the investigation this past Thursday.
"The improper awarding of a degree resulted from serious errors of judgment," the board stated.
Rosenthal said these errors should not be unforgivable offenses.
"All of the people involved are really good people, and people make mistakes," Rosenthal said. "That doesn't mean people should be driven from our community. They still have a lot to offer our VCU community."
While no statements have been made specifically linking any resignations to the improper awarding of the Monroe degree, several resignations followed the investigation.
S. Jon Steingass, former dean of the University College, signed Monroe's graduation application and recently resigned in order to take a position in another state.
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Truth
posted 8/30/08 @ 10:58 AM EST
Please read, as this is a message to seek logic where it is not found.
It is interesting to note, that after the administrators of the VCU community get caught in their corruption, and mishandling of their power, . (Continued…)
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