Southern U. Lays Groundwork for Grade-Change Hearings

Chancellor Edward R. Jackson says the university could emerge stronger.

Southern University is laying the groundwork for hearings that could lead to the revocation of grades or degrees in light of the investigation that has implicated at least 541 students -- past and present -- in a grade-changing scheme.

In a meeting with faculty members, Chancellor Edward R. Jackson and legal representatives said that in upcoming weeks, faculty and administrators will be selected to serve on hearing committees. They are to be chosen by the Southern University Council of Deans, administrators and the faculty senate.

They will conduct hearings informing the accused of their rights. The accused would be informed of evidence against them and when they are to meet with the committee.

A deprivation hearing, with the purpose of recommending whether the case should go to the Southern University System Board of Supervisors, would follow.

During a board meeting, which is also a public hearing, the board would have the option to decide whether revocation is necessary.

If a grade or a degree is revoked, the corrected transcript would be sent to the individual and his or her graduate school or place of employment.

"We expect 'no-shows' at both stages," Winston Decuir Jr., legal counsel to the board of supervisors, said at the April 2 meeting. "But this will not alter the process."

Decuir did say that findings would also be forwarded to the East Baton Rouge, La., District Attorney's Office for possible prosecution and that there was no statute of limitations.

"The school is not a criminal enforcement body," Decuir said. "That will be the responsibility of the D.A."

On March 31, Jackson announced at a news conference that Southern University System internal auditors had discovered that at least 541 current and former students had been involved in a grade-changing scheme on the Baton Rouge campus.

Jackson told the faculty meeting that the implicated students currently enrolled will be disciplined legally and as prescribed by the student handbook, in addition to having their credits revoked. He said he wanted the university's reputation to be stronger after the investigation was completed.

Jackson added that the university's accreditation would not be affected, as far as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) was concerned, and that the Louisiana Department of Education would be furnished with a list of individuals affected.

Jackson said that until the end of the investigation, which could last through the rest of the year, his hands were basically tied. But he was optimistic about the outcome.

"It's how you handle it," Jackson said, speaking about adversity. "It's what you do with it and it's what you do to move forward. Every challenge becomes an opportunity, so let this institution prosper because of it."

Nikki G. Bannister, a student at Southern University, writes for The Southern Digest.

Posted April 9, 2004