Contact: Jennifer Hollingshead
Office: (573) 882-0601
E-mail: hollingsheadj@umsystem.edu
In recent weeks serious allegations have surfaced regarding the men’s basketball program at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Most recently, several of the allegations have touched on issues of academic integrity.
In light of these allegations, University of Missouri President Elson S. Floyd today directed that the investigation initiated by Mr. Mike Alden, Director of the UM-Columbia Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, be elevated to a comprehensive (internal/external) investigation of the entire men's basketball program. The expanded investigation will be conducted with the concurrence of Chancellor Richard Wallace.
The investigation will be led by Michael Devaney, Ph.D., Professor of Electrical Engineering and former chair of the UM-Columbia Faculty Council. The data and fact gathering will be a continuation, extension and amplification of the work already begun by the MU Athletic Department Office of Compliance, the UM Office of General Counsel, and Carl Settergren, Ph.D., Professor of Forestry and the MU faculty athletics representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. To date, the men's basketball program has cooperated fully in the investigation and will continue to do so.
The Athletic Department compliance office at UM-Columbia, which is recognized as one of the leading offices of its kind in the country, will continue to participate in the investigation. Over the past eight months that office has focused on a series of alleged violations involving the basketball program. Work already begun will be incorporated into this effort. UM-Columbia will continue to cooperate with the NCAA in its separate investigation.
Floyd directed the comprehensive investigative group to complete its work as soon as possible.
Reviewed 2010-06-16