Accreditation agency says VCU handled Monroe situation properly
The agency that accredits Virginia Commonwealth University is satisfied with the way the university handled the Rodney Monroe degree case, the president of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools said today.
The commission decided VCU "had taken adequate steps to ensure that this was indeed a one-time phenomenon," said Belle S. Wheelan, who heads the accrediting commission for the 11-state Southern region.
She said VCU will face no warnings or sanctions as a result of the case.
The decision was announced today at the conclusion of the commission's annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
Wheelan said the commission expressed no opinion on whether Monroe, the former Richmond police chief who now heads law-enforcement in Charlotte, N.C., should return the bachelor's degree.
"That's not within our purview," Wheelan said. "That's a university decision."
Monroe was awarded the degree in 2007 even though he failed to meet all academic requirements.
Monroe is weighing options of whether to return the degree, complete the necessary requirements to keep it, or obtain a degree from a different university.
VCU's board of visitors last month approved changes that would make it easier to revoke a degree. It also took steps to hold students accountable for knowing the requirements of the degree they are seeking.
-- Karin Kapsidelis
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Reader Reactions
I am glad the SACS is able to put the proper perspectus on this and view it as an isolated instance which VCU handled in the circumstances and instituted measures for future decisions. I wish the newspaper and locals could likewise look at this in such a reasonable manner. This was one diploma in the thousands awarded by VCU and in no manner does it degrade the accomplishments of many before and after. I do object to one of the main participants, Mr. Wilder, returning to VCU after he ends his job of mayor. As to Chief Monroe, I believe the many courses he had taken over the years, plus his law enforcement experience, more than qualifies him for some degree, whether that be VCU or elsewhere. Earning a degree over 17 years, with extra family requirements or other issues is certainly worth respect. It should mean more to one personally, but to others, their own degree or a family members degree, however earned, is tops on their lists. No one should feel less of their VCU degree based on this one issue.
I am glad the SACS is able to put the proper perspectus on this and view it as an isolated instance which VCU handled in the circumstances and instituted measures for future decisions. I wish the newspaper and locals could likewise look at this in such a reasonable manner. This was one diploma in the thousands awarded by VCU and in no manner does it degrade the accomplishments of many before and after. I do object to one of the main participants, Mr. Wilder, returning to VCU after he ends his job of mayor. As to Chief Monroe, I believe the many courses he had taken over the years, plus his law enforcement experience, more than qualifies him for some degree, whether that be VCU or elsewhere. Earning a degree over 17 years, with extra family requirements or other issues is certainly worth respect. It should mean more to one personally, but to others, their own degree or a family members degree, however earned, is tops on their lists. No one should feel less of their VCU degree based on this one issue.
I am totally outraged. SACS has copped out to avoid embarassing a big research university within their scope of responsibility.
Responsbility? Did I say that? SACS is NOT taking responsibility here to complete their mission.
It is SACS’ requirement that the last 25% of credits be taken at the institution that awards a diploma.
I’m soooooooo close to returning my degree to VCU, but *I* earned mine….over a period of 17 yrs - while working full-time and caring for 3 aging family members.
The ONLY Christmas present I want this year is the return of Rodney Monroe’s degree.
Phenomenon? I hardly think so, the City bought him a degree, what is so hard to understand. It is nice however to see that VCU has put acceptable measures in place so that should Richmond get another corrupt mayor that wants to buy a degree for someone, at least VCU can take it away. It is too bad though that Monroe was apparently not able to earn a degree after all this time, bless his heart, I guess he just wasn’t smart enough. poor thing.
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