Fair Dealing
We will always conduct ourselves ethically, honestly, and with integrity-
This means that each member of the campus community
- Does not engage or encourage others to engage in unlawful or unethical practices
Perspective: A Real World Illustration
A December 2005 Baton Rouge, Louisiana Advocate newspaper article reported on a former assistant registrar at a public university located in Louisiana pleading guilty to bribery in a grade-buying scheme.
The former assistant registrar told a U.S. District judge that federal prosecutors are correct when they allege he accepted $7,700 from several current and former students to change the official records at the university.
As part of a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the former assistant registrar faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case said the former assistant registrar has agreed to assist his office with the ongoing investigation.
"[The university] is an important institution that has received $107 million (in federal funds) over the last three years," he said. "It is important to maintain the integrity of the university. "This prosecution goes a long way toward maintaining the integrity of the university," the U.S. Attorney said.
The plea agreement details the facts prosecutors claim they would have proven had the case gone to trial. Between October 2001 and February 2003, prosecutors say, the former assistant registrar used his access to student records to change those of five students - listed in the plea agreement by initials only.
"In each case, [the former assistant registrar] credited the respective student with classes which they had not attended, with grades they had not earned, in order for the student or former student to appear to have taken a requisite number of courses and hours for a degree or certification regarding continuing education," the agreement says.
The judge warned the former assistant registrar that the agreement is binding and can only be appealed if the judge hands down an illegal sentence. "You're locked into it," the judge said.
Despite the warning, the former assistant registrar told the judge he wanted to admit guilt and accept the terms of the agreement. The former assistant registrar's case is the only one from the investigation to end up in federal court.
The university first suspected a problem and university auditors were alerted in March 2003 when a student enrolled in a graduate program and presented documents showing she had a bachelor's degree from the department, but the department could not verify the degree with its own records.
An internal investigation initially implicated 541 current and former students, although most have been cleared. So far, 10 students have lost degrees and another 27 have had academic credits revoked.
The state Legislative Auditor's Office also investigated the grade-buying scheme and last spring reported that at least 25 students received credit for courses without enrolling at the school, paying tuition or attending class.
Last Revised 5/23/2006