Archive for Monday, November 2, 2009
Fired employee accuses KU of running graduate program with lax standards, grade inflation
KU says it’s investigated and finds the complaints to be false
November 2, 2009
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A fired employee has accused a Kansas University graduate program of lax admissions standards and grade inflation, a claim that KU disputes.
Charles “Chick” Keller, who had been serving as an assistant professor in KU’s master of engineering management program until his August 2008 firing, made the accusations in a letter to higher education leaders and state legislators, and in other documents obtained by the Journal-World.
Keller acknowledged creating the documents, but said he preferred not to discuss them further.
“I have faith and trust in university officials to handle this issue,” he said.
Gary Sherrer, vice chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said he had met with Keller, and had referred the matter to regents staff, who would create a report including KU’s responses to Keller’s claims.
He said he would review the report, and determine what action, if any, was needed at that time.
Lynn Bretz, a university spokeswoman, said the university had done several reviews of the program and found Keller’s accusations to be false, saying Keller used selective information to bolster his claims.
Bretz said a comparison with grades issued in the engineering management program differed with other graduate programs at the Edwards Campus by only a small amount. She said surveys of graduates also indicate that students feel the program is offering a good education and is useful for their careers.
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2 November 2009
at 5:11 p.m.
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rooster (Anonymous) says…
Sour Grapes. It was only after I was fired that I determined there was something rotten.
2 November 2009
at 5:32 p.m.
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hbjayhawk (Anonymous) says…
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
2 November 2009
at 5:39 p.m.
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Seamus (Anonymous) says…
Yes, it's just unimaginable that there would be grade inflation and lax standards at a university. Just unfathomable.
2 November 2009
at 5:47 p.m.
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Seamus (Anonymous) says…
hbjayhawk reminds me of those people who proudly attended the various rallies around Germany in the 1930s. He (or she) doesn't even attempt to hide his lust for extrajudicial violence and retribution.
2 November 2009
at 7 p.m.
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nickhawk (Anonymous) says…
The first two words of the headline seem to say a lot about how seriously this can be taken.
2 November 2009
at 7:15 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
This isn't quite a serious issue for the ku alumni since Reesing is injured which is the only concern for those graduating with the dumbed down grades. It is a vicious cycle. Hopefully the new chancellor is ready to stop feeding the monster that Simon's editorial this weekend perfectly described.
2 November 2009
at 11:19 p.m.
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parrothead8 (Anonymous) says…
I wonder if he made his complaint before or after he was fired.
3 November 2009
at 9:12 a.m.
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coolmom (Anonymous) says…
give me a break.
3 November 2009
at 9:18 a.m.
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leedavid (Anonymous) says…
Integrity problem at KU? That never happens….
Nobody should look into this…lets put our heads back in the sand.
A serious allegation has been made, lets check it out and see where it leads.
3 November 2009
at 10:37 a.m.
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toe (Anonymous) says…
How would a student know they were getting a quality education? Oh, perhaps by how easy it is.
3 November 2009
at 7:38 p.m.
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treyjay (Anonymous) says…
grade inflation in a “let's make some money” graduate program such as “master of engineering management” should not be a surprise.