Reference no: EM131904369

Problem: LEGAL/ETHICAL CHALLENGE

Is an Apology Enough?

The dilemma in this case pertains to a scandal at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Organizational culture is at the core of the case because the events that occurred indirectly involve the values and beliefs about the role of athletics within a university. The scandal revolved around whether or not the school's Department of African and Afro-American Studies offered courses that never met and sponsored hundreds of independent study classes of limited value to student athletes. The university did an internal review and, as reported in Bloomberg Business week, determined the department "offered more than 200 lecture courses that never met. The department also sponsored hundreds of independent study classes of dubious value. Internal reviews have identified forged faculty signatures and more than 500 grades changed without authorization. The students affected were disproportionately football and basketball players."111 College athletics is a $16 billion industry, and schools enjoy the related revenues in light of their nonprofit, status as organizations dedicated to education and research. This means that it is important for the "stars" to keep playing and win games. Management at UNC took action and eight employees either resigned or were fired, including the chancellor.

The new chancellor, Carol , initially resisted calls for further investigation, but changed her mind in January 2014. An investigation is currently taking place. The scandal was exposed by Mary Willingham, a campus reading specialist. Mary told reporters that she and other academic advisers "knowingly steered some of their charges into the fake classes to keep the sports stars eligible." She said that "18 out of about 180 athletes whose records she assessed could be considered to read at a grammar school level."112 Willingham's comments resulted in her being demoted and stripped of her supervisory title and public condemnation by some school officials. For example, James Dean Jr., the executive vice chancellor and provost, said that "Mary Willingham has done our students a great disservice." He initially declared that Willingham was a liar, but later apologized stating that he had misspoken. Head basketball coach Roy Williams said that "Willingham had impugned the moral character of his players." He claimed that "every one of the kids that we've recruited in 10 years you'd take home and let guard your grandchildren." Sadly, Willingham has in turn received e-mails containing death threats, and recent reports in Business week reveal that Dean continues to attack Willingham in internal meetings.