The University of Missouri is investigating a former tutor’s allegations of academic fraud in the athletic department less than a year after the school sanctioned its men’s basketball team for violating NCAA rules.
The university announced the investigation Tuesday evening, hours after former tutor Yolanda Kumar wrote on her private Facebook account that she took entrance exams and completed entire courses for athletes at the school.
“The University of Missouri has received allegations of potential academic rules violations by a former tutor in the Athletics Academic Services area,” the athletics department said in a statement. “Consistent with our commitment to rules compliance and to operating our athletics program with integrity, we are conducting a review of the allegations.”
The statement did not mention any specific programs or the scope of the alleged misconduct, but Kumar gave some details on her Facebook page.
She acknowledged the authenticity of the post to The Kansas City Star on Tuesday, but didn’t immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press on Wednesday seeking comment.
“I have knowingly participated in academic dishonesty in my position as a tutor at the University of Missouri-Columbia Intercollegiate Athletic department, which is not limited to assistance with assignments. I have taken and assisted with entrance assessment, completed entire courses, and I been present to provide assistance with online assessments,” Kumar wrote.
She said at least two academic coordinators for athletes in revenue-generating sports encouraged, promoted and supported those activities.
Kumar self-reported her involvement on Nov. 2, she wrote, and resigned her position Nov. 7 prior to a meeting with a member for compliance, general counsel and “an individual that reports to the chancellor.”
“I just can’t carry this burden anymore,” she wrote.
The university’s announcement comes 10 months after it self-imposed sanctions against the men’s basketball program stemming from a sham internship program and impermissible benefits received by players and their families at Tan-Tar-A resort at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Third-year basketball coach Kim Anderson’s team was banned from the 2016 postseason and forfeited two scholarships as part of the sanctions that were accepted by the NCAA when it closed the case in August.
Associated Press
