This week, The News & Observer reported that Faculty Council chairwoman Jan Boxill pushed the authors of a 2012 report on academic fraud to water down its language — the latest in a long line of blows to the reputation of University leadership.
More than an ethical failing on Boxill’s part, the case is yet another instance of UNC’s unwillingness to take transparency seriously. Like nearly every other revelation in the now years-long academic scandal, Boxill’s actions were uncovered through an outside investigation — not self-reported by the University.
And as news items pile up about administrative cover-ups, it’s time to ask when UNC will take some responsibility for its image.
The Boxill debacle has made one thing abundantly clear — even as the University claims to be coming clean, there are still wrongs to be uncovered and people at UNC who know about them.
If administrators continue to let the scandal play out in piecemeal incidents with no serious attempt to shine sunlight on University problems, UNC may never be able to repair its reputation.
It may hurt, but it’s time to rip off the Band-Aid.
