Jo's Cafe

Saw this on the news last night.  Evidently, there is a teacher at Auburn University that was letting football players attend some “reading” type class and get a grade.  Problem is, you didn’t have to do much to get an “A”, and if you did nothing, you got a “B”.   

Auburn probes grading claim 

Sociology professor accused of fudging grades for student athletes

AUBURN, Ala.- Auburn’s administration spent a lot of time patting itself on the back after the football team rated tops among public institutions when the NCAA released its academic progress report in March.

Now, those lofty numbers are in jeopardy. Professor James Gundlach alleges another sociology professor has been delivering grades to football players for little or no work.

Gundlach’s accusations first became public Thursday in a New York Times Slimes article. Gundlach said professor Thomas Petee, interim chair of the sociology department, gave preferential treatment to Auburn athletes through a directed reading course.

Gundlach’s now ready for the onslaught from Auburn fans. 

“I knew hate mail would be coming,” Gundlach said. “But I’ve been through the tough stuff before. I expect they’ll make either me the fall guy or Petee the fall guy.”

Gundlach presented university provost John Heilman and a university investigative committee with information on 18 members of the undefeated 2004 football team, which finished second nationally. Star running back Carnell Williams was one of the 18 who took a combined 97 hours during their career from Petee.

Petee carried a workload equal to 3 1/2 professors and taught more than 250 students individually during the 2004-05 academic year. About one quarter were athletes. Petee told the Times, “I basically wore myself out. It was a lot of work.”

Attempts to reach Petee were not successful.

Gundlach said Petee had a difficult time saying no.

“In effect, anyone who wanted to do the directed readings, he would do it,” Gundlach said. “Word is that if they did anything, they got an ‘A’ and if they didn’t, they got a ‘B.’ They’ve been deluging him with requests. He’s a criminologist and he started doing it not only for criminology students, but decided since he was the chair, he had the right to offer it under the sociology department.”

[snip] 

This isn’t the first time Auburn has been in the spotlight unfavorably. In 2003, Auburn was under probation from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, which alleged Auburn’s trustees wielded too much power over the athletic department. Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, who was not available Thursday, was almost ousted by a clandestine meeting between Auburn officials and Louisville head football coach Bobby Petrino.

If this is all true, Auburn could lose it’s accreditation completely.  Going to keep an eye on this one.

Source is the Columbus Ledger Enquirer.  They charge to link to articles after 7 days, so I have quoted a portion of it here.