Administrators could use The Daily Tar Heel as a means for communication with students, but recent fraud within a University department has created a barrier between all parties.
In the wake of irregularities found in the teaching and oversight practices in the African and Afro-American studies department, many University officials have told the DTH they can’t answer reporters’ questions.
Chancellor Holden Thorp did release the University’s report and review of the African and Afro-American studies department. A University spokesman said, “The chancellor felt strongly that transparency and accountability were essential.”
If this is the transparency the University promised, it’s simply not enough.
The newspaper’s primary aim to this point has been to find out how the University plans to handle the repercussions a state investigation into the fraud might entail for UNC.
As a student publication, we are especially concerned with how the fraud will affect the University’s image.
But questions have been ignored or circumvented.
A DTH reporter called numerous administrators and officials. Many redirected her to previous statements made by other officials.
When asked what the investigation would mean for students, an administrator responded with no comment.
