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The University of Texas has responded to a recent report of academic misconduct by former Longhorn basketball players.
On June 10, The Chronicle of Higher Education posted a story about a series of incidents that outlines several accusations, including when UT’s administration seemed to look the other way when it came to a player cheating on an exam. Also, one then-Longhorn was allegedly given special treatment by being enrolled in easier classes and another was given academic help by “impermissible” means in order to keep their grades up while attending the university.
In the article, former Texas head coach, Rick Barnes, now the head coach at Tennessee, denies having any knowledge of problems within his team.
Texas’s response to The Chronicle:
Academic integrity is at the core of The University of Texas. Our student-athletes’ academic progress rates are among the best in the nation. And we continually seek to foster an ethical culture that reduces the risk of wrongdoing, manages our internal controls, and responds to inappropriate conduct.
The university takes any suggestion of wrongdoing extremely seriously. We are always looking to identify problems that may exist and ways we can do better.
Working with external NCAA bylaw and academic compliance experts Gene Marsh and Geoff Silver, UT is investigating allegations raised by The Chronicle of Higher Education and has contacted the NCAA about them.
We determined that the university had no knowledge of two former student-athletes allegedly receiving improper help with high school coursework before they enrolled. We now are reviewing three other cases purported to have occurred over a nine-year period since 2006 to determine if any university or NCAA rules were violated and if any action is needed.
The university has no information that suggests former Men’s Basketball Coach Rick Barnes knew of or was involved in any academic improprieties.
President Gregory L. Fenves is actively working with his leadership teams in both Student Affairs and Athletics to pursue the highest levels of integrity for all UT students.
