In the foulness of the ongoing athletic/academic scandal at UNC, former Governor Jim Martin has brought an honorable breath of fresh air.

Many were critical of Martin’s December 2012 report of his investigation into “serious anomalies” in the Department of African and Afro-American Studies. He characterized the scandal as academic, confined to one department. Subsequently, the Wainstein report, among other critiques, has confirmed that the UNC affair has involved widespread scandalous behavior by faculty, administrators, coaches, and tutors.

In a soon-to-be published biography, Governor Martin, to his credit, admits his error. “I could have said, ‘Not only is it an extraordinary athletic scandal, but it is also an incredibly damaging academic scandal.” That is an honorable, and unfortunately all too rare admission, by an individual, as the scandal has proceeded.

Take a minute to think about other individuals who have admitted that they have erred, that they failed to acknowledge how they could have used their positions of leadership and authority to avert the serious harms that have resulted. A number of senior administrators were, of course, forced out, some with undeserved graciousness, and others with appropriate disfavor. Former Chancellor Holden Thorp resigned, without providing much of an explanation.

Beyond him, the list is short. I can’t think of any others in leadership positions who have admitted, “this scandal happened on my watch, therefore I am responsible, and the honorable action is for me to step down.” These leaders may or may not have known about the corruption, may or may not have colluded, but to act with honor means to say, “I failed to uphold the standards that were expected of me as a UNC leader.”

If UNC is to advance its mission to teach the next generation of leaders, students, faculty, and the community at-large have every right to expect our leaders to act with honor, especially when doing so requires courage.

Thomas More, who took a principled stand that cost him his life, reminds us, “If honor were profitable, everybody would be honorable.”

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