In response to Kenneth Wainstein’s report on academic irregularities, UNC’s accreditation agency has sent the school an eight-page letter asking for an update on how it’s complying with the standards required for accreditation.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges sent the letter earlier this month; UNC officials released it publicly on Friday during a meeting of the Faculty Council.

Read the letter here.

Written by COC vice-president Cheryl Cardell, the letter asks UNC to address 18 separate points ranging from institutional integrity to academic support services. The COC is also asking UNC to address issues of academic freedom – namely, what standards are in place to enable faculty members and staff to raise concerns if they notice academic irregularities.

Wainstein’s report described an 18-year “scheme” of phony “paper” classes and other irregularities in the formerly named African and Afro-American Studies Department (AFAM). The existence of those classes has been known for several years, and COC subjected UNC to additional oversight following the release of an earlier report on the matter. But Cardell’s letter says the COC wants an additional response now from UNC because Wainstein’s report spelled out additional details – including information about high-ranking officials outside the AFAM department who knew about the classes as well.

The letter asks for a response by January 7.

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