Kopp, alumni silent on grade change controversy

Marshall University President Stephen J. Kopp remains silent about the violation of university policy regarding grade changes.

Marshall professor Laura Wyant was listed as instructor of Emily Perdue’s two independent study courses when Rosalyn Templeton, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, changed the incomplete grades to letter grades Sept. 3.

 Provost Gail Ormiston e-mailed Registrar Roberta Ferguson Sept. 29 requesting Templeton be added as the primary instructor in the two independent study courses.
Emily Perdue is the daughter of West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue.

Kopp declined an interview with The Parthenon regarding the integrity of Marshall, but his office did release this statement:

“For more than three weeks, we have answered questions and provided public documents as requested to any medium who has asked. 

“Whether continued questions and requests are motivated by journalistic curiosity, political motives or even internal disagreements, we remind you that an internal review was conducted, we are confident that there was no inappropriate action, and consider this matter closed.”

Ormiston conducted a review without a committee and found no fault to the situation. 

“It was a simple, clerical error,” said Bill Bissett, chief of staff, in an earlier interview with The Parthenon.

Wyant protested the way the review was handled and requested the faculty senate perform an investigation.  The Greenbook, Marshall’s faculty handbook, states: “For any course primarily consisting of…independent study…the ‘instructor of record’ shall be the faculty member supervising the work the student does in the course.”

Wyant also told The Parthenon the FBI contacted her to ask for a meeting regarding the situation. 

The investigation also concentrated on whether John Perdue violated the West Virginia state ethics law, which states a person in public service should not use their position for private gain.  

Marshall Alumni Association President Nancy Campbell said in an e-mail that she had heard no concerns regarding image and integrity from Marshall alumni.

“I have not had any comments about this issue from alumni,” Campbell said.  “I have had contact with many alumni since this story broke and no one has brought it up.”

Kerissa Bennett can be contacted at Bennett120@marshall.edu.
 

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5 comments

MU1984

Tue Dec 1 2009 06:29

As an Alumni I am not remaining silent, nor am I giving ANY more money until the issue is resolved and the Dr. Kropp gives a FULL accounting to the Students, Alumni, and the Community. Marshall University enjoys a very good reputation across the nation. Its a shame that Administration is willing to risk the University's reputation for a politician.

parent of a MU student

Fri Oct 30 2009 16:37

good story, well written pres kopp needs to tell the students whats going on the longer he remains silent the more people are going to want to talk about it

ms 1975

Fri Oct 30 2009 09:58

As a Marshall financial supporter and graduate from 35 years ago I have never seen anything that was a bigger cover up. The faculty senate should summon their courage, form a panel and investigate this matter. Until the do my moneys staying in my checking account.

Annoyed Student

Thu Oct 29 2009 14:23

Can we please stop beating a dead horse? Is it not clear that no one is talking? The president is not going to personally comment on it, take the statement as is and move on. And are we really reaching as far to contact alumni on what they think? The issue at hand is between the people mentioned in previous articles. This is a perfect example of when The Parthenon drags on a story too long, when results of what happened come to light THEN write an article, if there is no news - stop saying there is no news.

People who are interested in attending Marshall do research on the school - I personally would not have applied here if everyday i saw a negative article about how things are run. Its turning people off to our university. Yes its newsworthy but at the same time enough is enough. As I said - let’s hope there is not another article until there is true news to report not another "no one is saying anything" it’s starting to become annoying.

Frank

Thu Oct 29 2009 11:26

"It was a simple clerical error" that revealed this corruption. If not for the "simple clerical error," all would have remained hidden.

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