SBI will look into AFAM department

Investigations into the African and Afro-American Studies Department at UNC are now out of the University’s control.

A report released by the University earlier this month cites issues with record keeping and teaching practices within the department and could cause long-term problems for UNC.

“It certainly will tarnish the reputation of UNC, which has always held academic quality to be very high,” Shaw said. “It appears that this department was neglected and that there was very little oversight.”

Orange-Chatham District Attorney Jim Woodall said he met with members of the State Bureau of Investigation Monday and asked them to do a probe into the department.

“The starting point I gave them was to look into academic and financial fraud, computer fraud or misuse, forgery, or conspiracy or attempt to conceal any of those crimes,” Woodall said.

Noelle Talley, public information officer for the N.C. Department of Justice, said in an email the SBI has accepted Woodall’s request to open a criminal investigation into matters at UNC.

Talley said she could not comment on how long an investigation of this kind might take.

Chancellor Holden Thorp wrote in a statement that the University has pledged to cooperate fully with the SBI.

The University began its own investigation into the department in September following the revelation that former defensive end Michael McAdoo had plagiarized a paper for a class in the department, and the plagiarism had gone undetected.

The University’s report detailing the findings was written by Jonathan Hartlyn, the senior associate dean for social sciences and global programs, and William Andrews, the senior associate dean for fine arts and humanities.

In the report, Hartlyn and Andrews wrote that irregularities within the department included improper teaching practices occurring primarily in summer school courses taught between 2007 until 2009 and listed former department chair Julius Nyang’oro as the professor for the majority of those courses.

Nyang’oro stepped down as department chair in August but has stayed at the University as a professor. Nyang’oro will retire from UNC effective July 1.

Thorp wrote in a statement that he has asked the SBI to look into possible issues with Nyang’oro’s salary from the University.

“After consulting with President Ross on Friday, I directed our public safety department to contact the SBI again, this time to seek their help in reviewing potential criminal activity related to the way in which professor Nyang’oro conducted and was paid for a 2011 summer school course,” Thorp wrote in a statement.

Shaw said the SBI’s findings might help UNC officials determine if Nyang’oro should receive full retirement benefits.

In a letter addressed to all faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, Karen Gil, dean of the college, wrote that because most issues cited in the University’s report occurred during summer sessions, the summer school is putting new policies in place to monitor summer teaching assignments.

Jan Yopp, dean of summer school, said new policies will include looking at independent studies and ensuring those are being taught following guidelines established by the University.

She said the language in professors’ contract letters for summer school has been strengthened to reflect high expectations for summer teaching.

Yopp said there is no plan to look into specific courses over the summer.

Contact the University Editor at university@dailytarheel.com.