West Virginia University Provost Gerald Lang has announced the creation of a team of independent educators to investigate, audit and attest to the accuracy of WVU s recent decision regarding a retroactively issued degree.
Lang cited the public concerns regarding the issuance of an Executive MBA degree to a student where WVU had a discrepancy in the historical records as the reason for his request of an independent audit. After much research by the College of Business and Economics, WVU resolved the records discrepancy in favor of the student.
Because WVU is committed to deep and complete truthfulness as an institution, we want to be absolutely certain that all our degrees are earned according to the specific program requirements,said Lang.The team of independent educators will consist of Professor Roy Nutter, who is also a member of the Faculty Senate; Professor Michael Lastinger, who is a former Faculty Senate Chair; and Dr. Bruce Flack, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs in the Chancellors Office for the State of West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
WVU President Mike Garrison stressed his support of the independent audit and said that the University is dedicated to an open and transparent organization with integrity at its core-both the faculty and the administration together.
We have to maintain the integrity of our academic process�€it is what is most valuable to us as an institution,said Garrison.
Added Lang,Under no circumstances have we ever been willing to issue degrees that are not earned. To the best of our abilities, we only authorize students for graduation who uphold the institutions requirements of learning, education, rigor and excellence within their programs.
Lang said the Universitys Board of Governors will not participate directly in the investigation, but the results will be shared with them. WVU will respect and follow the recommendations of the independent investigation team on this matter.
We look forward to our continued tradition of openness, honor and pride in our institution, the flagship university of West Virginia,he added.
