Trustees to receive academic review reports from Gov. Martin, Baker Tilly

The University’s Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Thursday (December 20) to receive two independent reviews commissioned following academic irregularities discovered in the African and Afro-American studies department.

Chancellor Holden Thorp and the trustees retained Baker Tilly, a national management consulting firm specializing in academic operations procedures and controls, to assess the numerous new policies, procedures and controls implemented to strengthen academics in African and Afro-American studies, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Summer School. Thorp has said the University was determined to make sure the current internal controls would prevent any recurrence of the irregularities.

In August, Thorp also asked former N.C. Gov. James Martin to explore, with no restrictions, any issues raised by the University’s review of courses offered in African and Afro-American studies. Martin was assisted by Baker Tilly. The University cooperated fully.

Martin and Raina Rose Tagle, a partner and National Practice Leader in Baker Tilly’s Higher Education Practice, will present the reports to the trustees.

The reviews are among the University’s extensive efforts to address academic irregularities discovered in 2010. Four internal reports, including an internal review in the African and Afro-American studies department, have produced more than 70 recommendations and the implementation of numerous new policies and procedures.

Later on Thursday, Martin and Rose Tagle will meet with the UNC Board of Governors Academic Review Panel, which has been charged with assessing the University’s investigative work and its response to the academic irregularities.

Martin, who holds a Ph.D. in chemistry, is a former Davidson College professor who served on its faculty athletics and admissions committees. The former member of Congress serves on the Board of Directors of the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy. Rose Tagle leads Baker Tilly’s risk advisory and internal audit services, as well as the firm’s Higher Education Practice.