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From Orlando Sentinel

FSU places itself on probation; will reduce sports scholarships

Andrew Carter | Sentinel Staff Writer
10:47 AM EST, February 14, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - As a result of an academic fraud scandal that affected approximately 60 athletes, Florida State has placed itself on two years probation and will reduce the number of scholarships in several sports.

Those are two of the penalties FSU has imposed on itself in the wake of an academic misconduct case the university had investigated since spring 2007.

The university today released the findings of that internal investigation, which it has submitted to the NCAA. FSU's probe resulted in several self-imposed penalties.

In addition to the scholarship reductions and the probation, which began Wednesday, FSU listed four other "punitive actions:"

1) The firing of the learning specialist and tutor at the center of the scandal.

2) The requirement of all athletics department administrative and non-administrative staff to attend a four-hour training program instructed by an outside consultant on "decision-making in the NCAA compliance environment.

3) Personnel changes at five senior level positions within the athletic department and within the university's Athletic Academic Support Services (AASS) department.

4) And the review and enhancement of the working relationship between learning specialist positions within the AASS and the university-wide Student Disability Resource Center.

FSU's internal investigation began in late March 2007, when one athlete came forward and said that a "Learning Specialist" – since identified as Dr. Brenda Monk – instructed him to take an online quiz for another athlete. Monk provided the quiz answers to the unidentified athlete, who was not enrolled in the course in which the quiz had been assigned.

The university then commissioned its Office of Audit Services to conduct an investigation, which found that Monk and a tutor had enabled 23 athletes to cheat in various forms. FSU had hoped to submit its report to the NCAA in October but, with the help of outside consultant Chuck Smrt, the university's probe widened significantly to include approximately 60 athletes in various sports.

Copyright © 2008, Orlando Sentinel

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