Untitled Document

Monday, November 6, 2006

NOTE ON FORMATTING: When stories are transferred from the Web, certain punctuation marks and other marks in this report don't carry over and result in symbols and other formatting errors. To see or print the story in full without these translation errors, simply click on "full story" at the end of each item."

Total Clips: 15

	Date	Outlet
AU Panel Finds Independent-Study Classes Heavily Attended by Athletes Went Easy on All Students	11/06/2006	Chronicle of Higher Education, The
Keeping whistle-blowers anonymous	11/06/2006	The Oregonian
College Briefs (Includes Auburn University)	11/06/2006	Press-Register
Auburn releases final report: Concludes that no preference given to student-athletes	11/04/2006	Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Athletes weren't favored, AU finds	11/04/2006	Birmingham News
Silly old me -- that looks like a Christmas tree	11/04/2006	Orlando Sentinel
Who's next? No new president for Auburn University before 2007	11/04/2006	Opelika-Auburn News
Academic probe report released	11/04/2006	Opelika-Auburn News
AU to host swing-dancing workshop	11/04/2006	Opelika-Auburn News
Excercise constitutional right to vote on Tuesday	11/04/2006	Andalusia Star-News, The
The Issue: There's not much suspense in these races for Congress.	11/04/2006	Birmingham News
Internal investigation: AU athletes didn't get any special treatment	11/04/2006	Decatur Daily, The
Auburn investigation blames instructors	11/04/2006	Press-Register
Auburn report: Independent study irregularities not widespread	11/03/2006	USA Today
AU's Tiger Soaring into Retirement	11/03/2006	WRBL-TV


AU Panel Finds Independent-Study Classes Heavily Attended by Athletes Went Easy on All Students 11/06/2006 Chronicle of Higher Education, The JEFFREY SELINGO		Return to Top
A committee at Auburn University investigating whether independent-study classes at the institution that required little work were used to keep athletes academically eligible has found that the two professors who oversaw the courses were "overly accommodating to all students," not just athletes. Even so, statistics in the panel's report, released last week, show that the fraction of athletes who took courses from the two professors was still much larger than the proportion of athletes at the university over all. For example, according to the report, in the 12 semesters from the spring of 2003 to the fall of 2006, scholarship athletes made up 17 percent of the enrollment, on average, in Thomas A. Petee's sociology and criminology courses. But in 2004-5, athletes represented only 3.2 percent of undergraduate enrollment at the college in Alabama, according to data for The Chronicle's annual report on gender equity in college sports, which uses figures compiled by the U.S. Department of Education. The percentages were similar in James E. Witte's adult-education courses, where athletes accounted for 23 percent of the enrollment, on average, over the same number of semesters. The committee found the abuses were not widespread across departments and were confined to courses taught by Mr. Petee and Mr. Witte, who had "too many students in too many course sections" and "lacked effective oversight from a higher-level administrative unit." Both professors have since resigned from their administrative duties but remain on the faculty. The problem with the proliferation of independent-study courses at Auburn was first reported in a July 14 article in The New York Times. It included the example of Doug Langenfeld, a former defensive end for the football team who realized that he had to pick up a new class 10 weeks into a 15-week semester to remain eligible for a football-bowl game. He added a course classified as a "directed reading" with Mr. Petee. The player said he got a B for reading one book and submitting one paper. Indeed, the committee found that independent study was an easy way to earn credits at the university. Former students interviewed by the panel all identified the same work expectations from Mr. Petee: "reading one or two books and completing a term paper, approximately 15 pages long." In addition, "all indicated that they were expected to work on their own, with no class meeting times." Students who took the courses with Mr. Witte didn't even have to read a book, according to the committee's interviews with students. "The students interviewed indicated that they were required to meet with Dr. J. Witte at the start of the semester to receive their syllabus," the report said. "They also had two or three meetings with Dr. J. Witte during the semester. Typically, they had to complete a written assignment and had to take some sort of exams to determine what sort of learner they are. One student gave the example of taking the Myers-Briggs personality-trait test." The committee found that in "a small number of cases," students in both programs never completed the required work, yet received grades. "These appear to be due to the faculty members' careless record-keeping," the report said. As for the students who received grades, most got A's from both professors. The report found that 66.3 percent of the students in Mr. Witte's courses received A's (58.7 percent of athletes received A's). In Mr. Petee's courses, 90.6 percent of all students received A's or B's (88.5 percent of athletes got A's or B's). Auburn's president, Edward R. Richardson, said in a statement on Friday that a new policy announced in August (The Chronicle, August 11) should ensure the correct use of directed-reading courses. "We have outstanding academic programs at Auburn, and our new policies only enhance those programs," Mr. Richardson said. "I'm confident that Auburn is a stronger institution today because we have addressed this issue directly and openly." Neither Mr. Witte nor Mr. Petee could be reached for comment on Sunday.
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Keeping whistle-blowers anonymous 11/06/2006 The Oregonian Rachel Bachman		Return to Top
AU is mentioned is this story about the EthicsPoint service (This story also appeared in the Hillsboro Argus). Among the listings for tickets and team schedules on the Ohio State athletics Web site is a curious button that reads, "Anonymous Reporting." Follow the thread, and you'll arrive at a page for ratting out quarterbacks with no-show jobs or coaches who call recruits around the clock. Such juicy tips, if and when they arrive, go through a brain trust in an office in Southwest Portland. That's the home of EthicsPoint, a company that processes anonymous tips about wrongdoing and forwards them to clients. Founded in 1999, EthicsPoint was boosted by cleanup initiatives from the corporate scandals of the early 2000s. Now, it's gaining customers in another arena prone to corruption: college athletics. EthicsPoint is not the largest company providing anonymous reporting services, but it might be the most plugged-in to college athletics. Universities make up about 100 of EthicsPoint's 1,200 clients, marketing director Dave Kresta said. About 30 to 40 of those schools use EthicsPoint to handle tips about their athletic departments. "I think universities are seeing the corporate world kind of step up to the plate in terms of accountability," Kresta said. "They're kind of being pushed along in the same area." In perhaps the highest-profile case involving EthicsPoint, a tipster used the service to allege that a professor at Auburn University was giving grades to athletes for little or no work. While the university investigated, an Auburn professor went to The New York Times with similar concerns, and two academic department heads have resigned in the wake of the reports. EthicsPoint takes information from tipsters online or through a telephone hot line, compiles it into a report and forwards it to the university. Any alleged perpetrator mentioned by name (e.g., an embezzling athletic director) will not receive a copy of the report. It is then up to a school to investigate a claim and take action if necessary. It behooves schools to heed anonymous allegations: According to a 2006 report from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, more than 34 percent of fraud is detected through tips, instead of by accident or audit. Reporting services' discretion is one of their selling points. Adam Friedman of The Network, Inc., an EthicsPoint competitor, said that in his pitch to universities, he asks: Would you rather find out about illegal, out-of-season practices in a confidential report, or in the newspaper? Friedman also says the NCAA gives lighter punishments to schools that self-report violations. Oregon and Oregon State use a company called National Hotline Services, a telephone-based reporting system in Fredericksburg, Va. But Kresta said EthicsPoint has the advantage of being computer-friendly -- a high value at universities. "There," Kresta said, "we find a lot higher percentage of people like to report things over the Web."
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College Briefs (Includes Auburn University) 11/06/2006 Press-Register		Return to Top
Auburn University The Auburn University Foundation Board has named Charles Hudson, a 1950 AU graduate in business administration, as its president. Hudson previously served the board as chairman of the administrative and finance committee. Spring Hill College The Spring Hill College Physics Department will host the annual Rimes Lecture at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 in Byrne Memorial Hall. Susan Rees, program manager for the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Project and lead oceanographer in the Planning and Environmental Division, Mobile District, U.S. Corps of Engineers, will present a talk on restoring the Gulf Coast after the latest hurricanes. For more information, call 380-3070. Troy University Troy University is seeking to identify and thank current students, alumni, faculty or staff members or members of their immediate families who are on active military duty. A special Web link at www.troy.edu/ includes a message to the troops from Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr., accompanied by a form that Trojans in military service can complete to update their contact information. Trojans serving in combat zones will be sent a special gift from the university. Troy University operates teaching sites on approximately 25 military bases outside of Alabama as part of its University College division. Chris Warden, assistant professor of journalism in Troy University's Hall School of Journalism, has been named a fellow of the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism. University of Mobile During the weekend of Dec. 1-2, the University of Mobile will host Winter Preview Weekend to give prospective students the opportunity to stay on campus with current students, tour the campus and meet with students and faculty members, enjoy a cookout and a concert by UM's praise-and-worship band EXIT 13 and learn details about academics, admissions, financial aid and student life. The deadline for registration is Nov. 29. Students must register to attend this event. Current high school seniors who register and attend the event, apply for admission and enroll for the fall 2007 semester can also earn a $2,000 UM scholarship. This special UM Visit Scholarship will be awarded at $250 per semester for eight consecutive semesters. Only one is available per person. For more information, call 442-2273. The University of Mobile Center for Performing Arts will present a free Community Orchestra Concert featuring faculty soloists on Thursday, at 7 p.m. The concert will be held at College Park Baptist Church, 5860 College Parkway, across from the campus. The performance will include students from the University of Mobile as well as guests from the Mobile Symphony, members of local churches, and other members of the community. For more information, call 442-2420. United States Sports Academy M. Brian Wallace has been hired by the United States Sports Academy as the chairman of sports fitness. Wallace is a Fellow of the American College of Sport Medicine. Dr. Bas Nair, a board-certified physician in three countries, traveled to the United States Sports Academy to discuss national sports program development in India. Nair hopes to build India into a sporting power. Nair received a briefing from academy vice president T.J. Rosandich on the sports education programs that have been delivered in more than 60 countries around the world. Nair will present these concepts to the national sports authorities in India in early November. University of South Alabama Using funds allocated from the Student Government Association, art students from the University of South Alabama will be demonstrating their talents on the pottery wheel to fellow students and faculty on campus Wednesday as they make bowls for the fundraising event called ARTsoup, which supports the work of Loaves and Fish Community Ministries and 15 Place. Students will be in the courtyard between the two humanities buildings from 10 a.m. to noon. ARTsoup will be held Nov. 17 at Cathedral Square Gallery, 206 Dauphin St. The Office of International Student Services and Admissions at the University of South Alabama is seeking volunteers for its Host Family Program for international students. The program provides families for international students to spend time with during the holidays or other special occasions. This is not a home-stay program. For more information, call 460-6050. The University of South Alabama Department of Interdisciplinary Studies will host a group information session for adults considering beginning or returning to college this spring semester at 6 p.m. on Nov. 16 in Room 104 of Alpha East Extension on the main campus. The program will include a brief overview of the Adult Degree Program, including how to get started. Refreshments will be served. Call 460-6263 for reservations. In observance of National Career Development Month, the University of South Alabama's Career Services Center will sponsor a host of free workshops and events for USA students and alumni, including an open house celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the Career Services Center, Suite 2100, at Meisler Hall. The open house will feature snacks and giveaways and will introduce participants to services offered by the career center, including career and academic major exploration, internships and co-ops and job search assistance. For more information, call 460-6188. University of West Alabama The University of West Alabama invites prospective students and their families to campus Saturday for Preview Day, an event during which high school and community college students can learn about all aspects of the 171-year-old institution. Preview Day, which begins at 4 p.m., is being held in conjunction with the Tigers' final game of the football season. For more information, call 1-888-636-8800.
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Auburn releases final report: Concludes that no preference given to student-athletes 11/04/2006 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Christa Turner		Return to Top
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn University released its final report Friday on its investigation into whether two directed studies programs were used to provide improper benefits to Auburn athletes. The committee investigating the allegations concluded the irregularities found were isolated to a professor in the sociology, criminology, anthropology and social work department and a professor in adult education and that it was caused by a lack of oversight and poor record-keeping. The report is available online at http://www.auburn.edu/administration/specialreports/directed_studies_report.html. The university athletic department forwarded a separate report to the NCAA and will not be made public. "This is an academic issue and after reading the report, it is evident that there was no preferential treatment towards Auburn student-athletes or academic fraud committed by student-athletes," athletic director Jay Jacobs said in an e-mail. In August, Richardson said, "I want to emphasize Š that this is clearly an academic problem. I believe that athletics was infused into this discussion to provide a sufficient traction to make it newsworthy. Athletics is a minor player in this academic issue." Richardson said the issue regarding athletes is whether they got preferential treatment or were offered something regular students weren't offered. "We did not find that to be the case," Richardson said. Auburn began the investigation after sociology director James Gundlach alleged that interim department chair Thomas Petee delivered high grades for little or no work through directed readings classes. Gundlach's research discovered that 18 members of Auburn's undefeated 2004 football team took 97 hours of Petee's directed reading classes during their academic careers. Petee taught 272 individuals in directed reading classes during the 2004-05 academic year. Typically, professors teach less than 10 per year in that format. Subsequent investigation revealed that James Witte of the adult education program also abused the intent of directed readings. Petee resigned his chair position, while Witte turned over his coordinator duties. Both are tenured professors and retain teaching duties. In August, Richardson called their high number of independent study offerings "poor judgment." Gundlach was vilified by Auburn football fans for being a whistleblower and he received numerous hate e-mails once his allegations became public. He said in August that seeing Petee removed as department chair and seeing tougher policies enacted made the ordeal worthwhile. The university implemented a new policy regarding directed readings and independent study courses in August. It was endorsed by the investigative committee of Sharon Gaber, Constance Relihan and Marcia Boosinger. "We have outstanding academic programs at Auburn and our new policies only enhance those programs," Richardson said on the AU Daily, an online update of university-related events. "I'm confident that Auburn is a stronger institution today because we have addressed this issue directly and openly." The report concluded that "in general, students were provided a syllabus and had a defined course objective and work product" and that students "completed the required work." It concluded that "all students were afforded the same opportunities to participate" and the professors were "overly accommodating to all students." Richardson said in August that tougher policies regarding directed reading and independent studies will be enforced. He said he fully expects the measures taken by the university to appease the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Auburn's accrediting body, as well as the NCAA. Both requested reports. Auburn recently spent a year on probation by SACS for lack of institutional control regarding Board of Trustee members. The organization expressed interest in the outcome of Auburn's investigation. Richardson refuted allegations by Gundlach that academic counselors in the athletic department may have been steering athletes to these classes as a way of boosting grades for at-risk students. "One of the things that has been pleasing about this is that we have confirmed no counselor, no athletic staff and no coaches were involved in steering students to these particular courses," Richardson said.
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Athletes weren't favored, AU finds 11/04/2006 Birmingham News Charles Goldberg		Return to Top
AUBURN - Auburn University has concluded that irregularities in its directed-studies programs in sociology and adult education were the result of a lack of oversight and not an attempt to provide athletes with easy grades. The report released Friday said a significantly larger number of non-athletes took the courses, that the grades awarded were virtually the same for athletes and non-athletes alike, and that the courses were open to everyone on campus. Auburn said the abuses in the programs were limited to Thomas Petee, a sociology professor, and James Witte, program coordinator for adult education; both resigned their administrative positions in the wake of the investigation. The report said the professors took on an excessive number of independent, outside-the-classroom courses, mainly in an effort to accommodate a surge in student enrollment. Needed closer watch: The investigation also determined the independent study courses should have been monitored more closely by higher level administrators. The school found that in 'a small number of cases,' students received grades without doing the required work. The report said those cases appeared to be due to the professors' 'careless record-keeping.' Auburn officials said about 1 percent of the total student body took independent study courses. Before the fall semester, Auburn dramatically reduced the number of independent study courses a professor can teach to three per semester. The abuses occurred mainly early in the summer semester of 004 and ended after the spring semester of 005, according to the university's report. The new policy calls for stricter accountability for such courses. 'I'm confident that Auburn is a stronger institution today because we have addressed this issue directly and openly,' said Auburn interim President Ed Richardson. Auburn Athletics Director
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Silly old me -- that looks like a Christmas tree 11/04/2006 Orlando Sentinel Darryl E. Owens, columnist		Return to Top
This story mentiones AU's Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. With advancing age (and increasing poverty) I have come to love a bargain. So the discounts advertised in a recent sale circular piqued my attention, but the back page gave me pause. Next to ads touting Santa figurines and a railroad set featuring the jolly one as conductor of a train freighted with toys stood a stand of evergreens adorned with twinkling lights. For a moment, I thought I recognized the items. But the big-lettered 40-percent-savings tease above the photo applied to something called holiday trees. Silly me. I thought those firs with boughs of holly were Christmas trees. Therein lies the staggering lunacy to which America has sledded in the name of political correctness. This isn't another screed about the secularization of Christmas, the inanity of revolts that foment over Nativity scenes and public creche displays, the silencing of Christmas songs like Silent Night in public schools, or the tyranny of a minority so offended by the sights and sounds of Christmas they impose their gossamer sensibilities on public policy. Now, I don't believe there is a secret cabal that meets in a maple-paneled boardroom driving plans to redact Christmas from the public square. Nor am I so hard-line that I'd kvetch should a salesperson utter Season's Greetings as I collect Christmas gifts. But when marketers (who annually push up the date that garland and militaristic nutcrackers storm the shelves) cash in on the Black Friday Christmas shopping blitz, but go to absurd lengths to avoid naming the obvious cash cow, you have to wonder -- what's up with that? Which brings me back to those holiday trees. In examining the slate of winter holidays from Chinese New Year to Yalda, I found no mention of evergreens as part of the tradition. OK, I'll grant you that, in a pinch, a fake Oregon fir could stand in for the unadorned aluminum pole that is displayed during Festivus, the holiday conceived on the '90s sitcom Seinfeld. Of course, it's not just marketers who have played at being PC contortionists. This year, Auburn University students no longer will attend the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, instead gathering for the Holiday Celebration featuring the Lighting of the Christmas Tree. Everyone knows that a green, pointed, prickly tree we decorate in December is a Christmas tree, Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, said in a press release. Renaming a Christmas tree to a 'Holiday tree' is hypocritical political correctness run amok. It only took Auburn six years to come to its senses. Indeed, it's bedeviling that a society that embraces a holiday that cheers gooey candy and dark spirits increasingly jeers the very mention of the holiday that observes the dawn of light. You might remember the country's nickname of the Great American Melting Pot. We're supposed to be boiling over with diversity. Homogenizing holidays was a dumb move with President's Day and no less so with winter holidays. Hang a banner over an aisle stocked with dreidels, Latke plates and menorahs that shouts, Happy Hanukkah. Stock racks with T-shirts that say, I fasted for Ramadan and all I got was this T-shirt. Just give Christmas its due, too. And merry Christmas.
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Who's next? No new president for Auburn University before 2007 11/04/2006 Opelika-Auburn News Amy Weaver		Return to Top
Candidates for the presidency at Auburn University will not be on campus before the end of the calendar year. Since it was formed, the Presidential Search Advisory Committee had hoped it would not only have interviewed candidates, but named President Ed Richardson’s successor by Dec. 31. But not everything always goes as planned. "It's taking a lot longer than I thought," said Charles McCrary, committee chairman. "We want to get the best leader. I'm not worried about a calendar." The committee received and reviewed about 55 applications for the university’s top post. McCrary said the job attracted a wide spectrum of contenders, including current presidents, provosts, deans, present and former business executives and military officials. "It is what we wanted, from A to Z," he said. The nine-member group provided feedback to Korn/Ferry International, the firm hired to help conduct the nationwide search, who in turn narrowed the number of candidates to about 16, McCrary said. The committee has reviewed about half of those applicants. Each committee member is trying to talk with each candidate to gain more familiarization. Eventually, Korn/Ferry will narrow the numbers down even further for on-campus visits and formal interviews, he said. The fact that all the candidates are presently employed and are therefore concerned about their employment is a challenge, McCrary said. "We are being very diligent. We are trying to get familiar with the candidates and that takes time," he said. "It's taken a lot longer than I thought." "We are dealing with the process as long as it takes," McCrary added. "Getting a president is not the issue. Getting the right president is." When the AU Board of Trustees ceremoniously removed "interim" from Richardson’s title in September, they declared he would remain the university’s 17th president until a replacement was found or the end of the 2006-07 school year, whichever comes first. The board took similar action with William Walker. He served as interim president until he was named president. "Dr. Richardson is not a candidate. Period. Exclamation point," McCrary said. An update about the search will be given during the next board meeting, scheduled for Thursday and Friday at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center, McCrary said. "I know everyone is curious," he said. "But this will be one of the most important decisions we make. It is important we make a quality decision."
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Academic probe report released 11/04/2006 Opelika-Auburn News Amy Weaver		Return to Top
A committee formed to look into allegations of academic misconduct at Auburn University has released its report, citing a lack of supervision and poor record-keeping as the cause of the controversy over specific directed studies courses taught by two tenured professors. Questionable practice identified in the report was limited to Dr. Thomas Petee in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology and Social Work in the College of Liberal Arts, and Dr. James Witte, program chair of adult education in the College of Education. In the report released Friday, the committee found both Petee and Witte were unable to accurately keep track of all student records because they had too many students in too many course sections. The practice continued for so long because the didn’t have proper supervision from higher level administration throughout the past three years. The internal investigation started this summer after sociology professor James Gundlach went public with allegations Petee, who at the time was Gundlach’s department head, had been giving student-athletes high grades for little or no work. The committee found the opposite - Petee gave higher grades to regular students. They also claimed he generally awarded higher grades for all students than other faculty members in his department. Gundlach said he found a disproportionate amount of student-athletes taking Petee’s courses, but he feels the report presents the data differently. "It makes it look like there was less of a problem than what it was," he said. By not listing the number of regular courses and directed reading courses separately, Gundlach said, the findings make it look like Petee’s grades were more rigorous to the regular classes than what it really was. He found Petee’s grades to be higher in directed reading, but that’s not what the report shows. Additionally, Gundlach said he believes it’s also not fair that the breakdown of grades given by Petee is for all courses. Gundlach said grades in social work and criminology are generally higher than sociology courses. "I think this minimizes the issue of grade inflation," he said. "It makes the grade disparity seem not as bad as it was." Although the committee’s report is available to the public at http://www.auburn.edu/administration/specialreports/directed_studies_report.html, the AU Athletic Department has forwarded a separate report to the NCAA and, according to NCAA protocol, it is not being made public. "If some non-athletes are treated the same as athletes, they don’t see it as a problem," Gundlach said. "They don’t see a disproportion since the treatment is the same." Other findings The committee says Petee gave 24 incomplete grades between spring 2003 and spring 2006, 67 percent of which were student-athletes. He also made about 55 grade changes from January 2003 to spring 2006, which is much higher than the average 22 of other faculty members at that time. "His failure to keep complete records made it difficult to determine the necessity for this number of grade changes," the report states. By not recording grade changes in grade books, Petee violated university policy on proper maintenance of class documents and records. Witte violated policy as well regarding maintaining records for classes he taught. Students and student-athletes who took directed reading courses with Petee told investigators he required they read one or two books and write a term paper about 15 pages long. They would work independently but could e-mail or visit Petee’s office for questions. Witte’s students said they were required to meet with him at the start of the semester and a few times during the semester. The objective was to complete written assignments and take an exam. Many students said he was always accessible. Some visited him at least once a month. The committee concludes that while students generally had a syllabus and defined course objectives to follow, a small number of students in the two departments did not do the required work but received grades. They blamed Petee and Witte for careless record-keeping. Results After Gundlach aired concerns in spring 2005 to the department faculty over the number of directed reading courses taught by Petee, he taught fewer of them. A new policy implemented Aug. 10 not only limits the amount of directed reading courses a faculty member can teach, but also limits the number that students can take each semester. It also requires approval of each course. "We have outstanding academic programs at Auburn and our new policies only enhance those programs," said President Ed Richardson. "I’m confident that Auburn is a stronger institution today because we have addressed this issue directly and openly." Also in August, Petee and Witte were stripped of their administrative duties. They remain faculty members in their respective departments. "This puts a message out there to other administrators, this is something that needs to be watched and not abused," Gundlach said. The committee made six recommendations, two of which were endorsing the action taken in August, but there was no indication from AU officials Friday about implementing them. "Auburn’s academic integrity goes to the heart of our existence and exceeds every other priority," said Public Affairs Director Brian Keeter. "President Richardson has implemented new directed studies guidelines that have already strengthened this program and we continue to work to improve it even further."
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AU to host swing-dancing workshop 11/04/2006 Opelika-Auburn News Donathan Prater		Return to Top
This weekend they'll literally be putting their best foot forward - and back and maybe even to the side - when the Auburn University Program Council sponsors a Swing Dancing Workshop. The workshop's instructors, Hope Askew and Jordan Britt, have been active members of AU's Swing Club throughout their time on the Plains as students. The swing style of dance is commonly associated with a group of dances that evolved out of the jazz era from about 1910 to 1940. Swing music features syncopated timing and rhythm associated with African-American and West African music and dance. Dances like the Lindy Hop, Shim Sham Shimmy, Charleston and the Texas Tommy are all terms participants in this weekend’s swing-dancing workshop will become familiar with. It's a combination of pop culture and history simply repeating itself that John Ellithorp, assistant director of UPC Fine Arts, credits with the resurgence in interest in swing dancing with today's youth. "Television shows like 'Dancing with the Stars' have also had a hand in influencing the popularity of dancing and shown today's youth how much good, clean fun can be had dancing," Ellithorp said. While those with extensive backgrounds in dance will be present, the workshop will start with the basics of swing dancing on a step-by-step basis, so even the rhythmically challenged are welcomed to attend. "I have every faith that anyone who attends this workshop will learn something regardless of their dancing skill level," Ellithorp said.
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Excercise constitutional right to vote on Tuesday 11/04/2006 Andalusia Star-News, The Jerry Andrews		Return to Top
This news roundup includes mention of Johnny Vinson's being honored at halftime at AU vs. Arkansas game. I want to encourage everyone to exercise his constitutional right to vote in the election on Tuesday. We are very fortunate to live in a land where we can express ourselves freely without fear and with the confidence that our voices will be heard. As you prepare to go to the polls please give careful consideration to Amendment Two. The legislature has placed this amendment on the ballot so that those school systems that are funded below a minimum of ten mils of ad valorem will be brought in line with those that are adequately funded. As you know Andalusia City Schools is one of a few systems in the state that is funded below that rate. I am also sure that you have seen how little it will cost those of us living in Andalusia each year. For example, it is estimated that a home valued at $75,000 would see a net increase of approximately $21 per year to bring our local school funding in line with the rest of the state. A home valued at $100,000 would see a net increase of only around $30. Most of us agree that Andalusia City Schools are among the best of the best. Year after year we see our kids graduate from Andalusia High School to become very successful. I'll be happy to wager anyone that per capita, Andalusia has the greatest concentration of talented graduates in a wide variety of fields. We have research scientists, university professors, veterinarians, accountants, attorneys, surgeons, and a whole host of other highly skilled vocational and professional graduates to represent us throughout the world. Last week's home coming activities at Andalusia High School drives this point home. If you attended homecoming you may have noticed the incredible concentration of highly skilled and distinguished graduates that matriculated through our system. Today, Andalusia High School alumnus Dr. Johnny Vinson, Director of Auburn University Bands, will be honored during halftime at the Auburn - Arkansas State Game, for his thirty-six years at Auburn. I'm sure that many of you remember Johnny as Drum Major of the Andalusia High School Band, running down the field with that tall, white bear skin hat leading the band in "Corn-Corn!" This was no accident. Andalusia has a long and storied past and a commitment to excellence in education. Our schools have offered a varied curriculum that has allowed our students to flower and excel in a way that might not have been possible somewhere else. Andalusia is a very special place and we must not pass on an opportunity to redouble our efforts. Our schools depend upon our stewardship to continue to function at the current level. If this amendment fails, our schools will face a financial crises when the county's temporary one cent sales tax comes off in December. The temporary sales tax was a temporary quick fix that allowed us to get over a hump. Now we must make a critical decision. If we don't want to support Amendment Two, local governments will be forced to take a hard look at other means for taxes to fund education. Basically at this point it appears that we have a choice; ad valorem taxes or sales taxes. I think that almost everyone would agree that sales taxes are regressive and hit those who have the least the hardest. As I've shown you earlier, this increase is not going to cost anybody much money. Those of us that own property will hardly notice the increase. However, our kids will notice it at school. We will also continue to notice that our graduates are the cream of the crop because of that fact that the people of Andalusia support and value education.
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The Issue: There's not much suspense in these races for Congress. 11/04/2006 Birmingham News		Return to Top
This roundup includes a mention of AU research on alternative energy sources. There may be a lot of angst over the races for U.S. Congress in some states, but there's little to wonder about in Alabama. Two Birmingham-area incumbents, Republican Spencer Bachus of Vestavia Hills (District 6) and Democrat Artur Davis of Birmingham (District 7) have no opposition in the Nov. 7 election. This will be Bachus' eighth term and Davis' third term, and both men have served well. Incumbents in two other area congressional districts have token opposition. District 3 This district covers parts of eastern Alabama. Republican incumbent Mike Rogers of Saks is running for a third term. He has been a strong supporter of President Bush on most issues, including the war in Iraq. Rogers also is trying to give alternative fuels a push in Congress, which could benefit Alabama and, in particular, Auburn University, where cutting-edge research into that field is taking place. His opponents are an independent from Auburn and a Democrat from Alexander City. We recommend Mike Rogers. District 4 This district covers a largely rural stretch of Alabama south of Huntsville and north of Birmingham. Republican incumbent Robert Aderholt of Haleyville is running for a sixth term and sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. That allows him to help his district land its share of federal aid money. The socially conservative Aderholt also has fought to lessen the loss of manufacturing jobs in his district. Robert Aderholt is the better choice for the people of his district.


Internal investigation: AU athletes didn't get any special treatment 11/04/2006 Decatur Daily, The Bayne Hughes, Education Writer		Return to Top
Report blames problems on 2 professors, lack of oversight and poor recordkeeping An internal investigation reports that Auburn University's directed-studies program did not give student-athletes special treatment and its problems are not widespread at the university. A committee of academic administrators began an investigation in July into charges against Thomas Petee, professor and interim chair at the time of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology and Social Work. He was accused of giving athletes grades and credit for fake courses and A grades for no work. The New York Times reported that 18 members of the undefeated 2004 football team, including Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, took a combined 97 hours of the courses during their careers. The committee interviewed 68 individuals, including Petee, Professor Jim Gundlach (the accuser in the case), 48 student-athletes, seven non-athlete students, academic advisers, athletic academic counselors and College of Liberal Arts administrators. The report, released Friday, blamed most of the problems found on two professors, Petee and Adult Education professor James Witte, as well as a lack of administrative oversight and poor record-keeping. "The committee finds that Dr. Petee and Dr. J. Witte demonstrated poor judgment to a diminution of the academic integrity of Auburn University," the report said. The report said all students had the same opportunity to take these courses. It said Petee gives higher grades to non-athlete students than to student-athletes. It said his grades are, however, higher than those of most, but not all, faculty members in his department. "In interviews with student-athletes and non-student athletes ... all identified the same work expectations (reading one or two books and completing a 15-page term paper)," the report states. "All indicated that they were expected to work on their own, with no class meeting times." The report said students in a small number of cases received grades even though they didn't do the required work, blaming this problem on faculty members' careless record-keeping. According to the report, only 1 percent of undergraduate students participate in independent study/directed reading courses. The committee said both Petee and Witte had too many students in too many course sections, which "led to their inability to accurately keep track of the students." The two lacked effective oversight from a higher administrative level, the report said. It said administrators should have asked more questions. "Turnover in the dean's offices in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Education provided the opportunity for this lack of oversight," the report said. The committee endorsed a universitywide policy change in August that set student number limits on independent study/directed reading courses. It also endorsed leadership changes that took place in August. Petee did not immediately respond to a phone message from The Associated Press. Witte and Gundlach could not immediately be reached for comment. University president Ed Richardson said, "I'm confident that Auburn is a stronger institution today because we have addressed this issue directly and openly." The university's athletic department has sent a separate report to the NCAA, but that report will not be made public in accordance with NCAA protocol. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Auburn investigation blames instructors 11/04/2006 Press-Register Evan Woodbury, Sports Reporter		Return to Top
Probe into charges of academic irregularities concludes athletes did not receive special privileges AUBURN -- A panel investigating allegations of academic misconduct at Auburn University laid almost all of the blame on two professors who taught "too many students in too many course sections" and violated university rules by keeping sloppy records. Auburn released its written investigation Friday, nearly four months after The New York Times reported accusations that student-athletes were being given credit for independent-study courses that required little or no work. In August, Auburn announced a major reform of independent-study classes and demoted two professors at the center of the allegations. The written report said those two professors -- Thomas Petee and James Witte -- were "overly accommodating" to all students, not just athletes, and failed to "keep track" of all of them. The investigative committee also said the university failed to provide effective oversight of the professors, their courses and their students. Auburn president Ed Richardson exonerated the athletics department of any wrongdoing in August, and the written report repeats his contention that student-athletes received no special privileges. The university said the athletics department had forwarded a separate report to the NCAA. "This is an academic issue and, after reading the report, it is evident that there was no preferential treatment towards Auburn student-athletes or academic fraud committed by student-athletes," Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs said in a statement released by the university. On June 1, the university said an anonymous tip prompted it to form a three-person investigative panel, consisting of associate provost Sharon Gaber, English professor Constance Relihan and Marcia Boosinger, Auburn's faculty athletics representative. The committee said it interviewed 64 people, sometimes more than once, including 48 student-athletes in nine different sports, and seven non-athletes. The group also combed through enrollment and grade data. Its final report is posted online at www.auburn.edu/administration/specialreports/directed)studies)report.html The scandal broke publicly in July, when the New York Times published the allegations of James Gundlach, a whistle-blowing professor who said the university's academic integrity was being compromised by Petee, who was giving out easy grades to scores of students, many of them athletes. The university's report said the independent-study courses had syllabi, objectives and a real work product, and that most students "completed the required work assignments for a grade." In a few cases, the report said, students received grades without completing the work because of "careless record-keeping" by the professors. The university's report showed Petee drastically reduced his course offerings after the spring of 2005, which is when Gundlach said he confronted Petee during a heated faculty meeting. In the spring semester of 2005, Petee offered 17 courses. Since that time, he has offered no more than eight in a semester. While investigating Petee, the committee found that many of the students who had taken his classes had also taken independent-study courses in the adult education program. In interviews, those students "confused details about the courses in the two programs." That led the committee to Witte, the program director for adult education. Data provided in the report showed that Witte offered no fewer than 18 course sections during each semester from the spring of 2003 to the fall of 2006. While Petee was cutting back, Witte actually increased his course offerings, and his percentage of student-athletes rose as well. In the spring of 2005, 12 percent of Witte's students were athletes (14 out of 118). In this year's spring semester, 26 percent were athletes (50 out of 194). The university's report does not distinguish between independent-study courses and traditional courses in the percentage of athletes enrolled. Also, while the report shows that athletes and non-athletes received similar grades from the two professors, it does not offer a breakdown of grades in independent-study courses alone. Both Petee and Witte were stripped of leadership positions in their departments in August. The professors are tenured and continue to work at Auburn. The committee endorsed the independent-study reforms introduced in August that put a limit on the number of students each professor is allowed to supervise. The committee also recommended that professors get the permission of their academic deans before teaching independent-study courses that duplicate a course already being offered.
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Auburn report: Independent study irregularities not widespread 11/03/2006 USA Today Associated Press		Return to Top
**This AP story also appeared in the Gadsden Times, Athens Banner-Herald, Sarasota Herald Tribune, and was broadcast on WALA, WAFF and WTVM. Auburn University president Ed Richardson said in a statement that a new policy, implemented before the fall semester, should ensure the proper use of 'directed-reading' courses, where students don't attend classes but do one-on-one work with the professor. Richardson said a committee of academic administrators, which investigated widely reported claims that a sociology professor was helping football players and other athletes stay eligible through such courses, found that the problems were limited to that professor, Thomas Petee, and another in adult education, James Witte. The committee's report said the two professors 'had too many students in too many course sections, which led to their inability to accurately keep track of the students.' Petee did not immediately return a phone message from the Associated Press. Witte could not immediately be reached for comment. The statement said the committee interviewed the people involved, including the professor who made the initial claims, James Gundlach, and reviewed applicable records. Gundlach could not be reached immediately for comment. 'We have outstanding academic programs at Auburn and our new policies only enhance those programs,' Richardson said. 'I'm confident that Auburn is a stronger institution today because we have addressed this issue directly and openly.' The university's athletics department has sent a separate report to the NCAA. That report will not be made public in accordance with NCAA protocol. The report released Friday says there were very few cases where students received grades in independent study courses for which they hadn't done the work. The few cases where that happened, the report says, were due to careless record-keeping by the professors. The findings suggest that athletes were not given special treatment, that Petee and Witte were 'overly accommodating' to all students. The report also found that these problems are not widespread at the university, where only about 1% of undergraduate students are enrolled in such programs. The report said the new policy implemented in August should help avoid the problem in the future. It limits the number of students a professor can supervise in independent study per semester to three and limits the number of credit hours a student can receive from independent study to nine. After the issue was raised, Petee resigned as interim director of the sociology department and Witte stepped down as program chair of adult education. The committee also recommended that faculty, academic advisors, and athletics counselors regularly review students' records to avoid repeat registration in non-repeatable courses.
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AU's Tiger Soaring into Retirement 11/03/2006 WRBL-TV Jaime Lakin		Return to Top
Although the tradition began only 6 years ago, Auburn University's eagles have flown their way into the hearts of Tiger fans everywhere. Soon, the matriarch of the nest will be soaring into retirement. The eagle who made the inaugural flight in 2000 was a golden eagle named Tiger. Now 6 seasons later, Tiger is expected to make her last official gameday flight around the stadium next week as Auburn faces the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Eagle consultant Roy Crowe says while Tiger has had some health concerns in the last few years, the decision to retire was made because it's just the right time for her to make the move. Last year, Tiger was diagnosed with skin cancer, Roy Crowe, eagle consultant and education specialist with AU's Southeastern Raptor Center said. The tumor on her leg has been removed and officials with AU are hoping for a strong recovery. But Crowe said, taking Tiger out of the rotation for the gameday flights, will "take some of the work load off of her." In her tenure as War Eagle, 26-year-old Tiger has made a name for herself outside the football arena as well. Her honors and accolades make an impressive resume. "She was the first bird to fly in the stadium in 2000," Crowe said. "She's one of the few golden eagles in the country who flies in this capacity. She flew at the Olympics in 2002 in Salt Lake City. She has been inducted into the Alabama Animal Hall of Fame. And she's seen tens of thousands of kids in her education programs." Like any star, Tiger has been known to have some diva-like tendencies. "I think Dr. Montgomery said this," Crowe said, "Tiger thinks she owns the stadium. She just lets the football team use it occasionally." Tiger's retirement ceremony will be held during the Nov. 11 football game.. Crowe said there maybe some other special events planned. Fans can look for details on those plans next week. Tiger's successor, Nova, a seven-year-old golden eagle, will be presented as War Eagle VII at halftime on Nov. 11.
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