The University of Missouri has rocked by more allegations of academic fraud in its athletics department, just months after the men’s basketball program accepted a one-year ban for breaking NCAA rules.
Yolanda Kumar, a former tutor at Mizzou, claimed on Tuesday that she had taken exams and completed classes for unnamed student-athletes at the school. She disclosed in a Facebook post that she “knowingly participated in academic dishonesty” and said: “I can’t carry this burden any more.”
Kumar said she was encouraged to commit wrongdoing by members of staff.
In the private Facebook post, Kumar wrote: “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 have been present to provide assistance with online assessments.
“It was encouraged, promoted, and supported by at least two academic coordinators for athletes in revenue-generating sports.”
Kumar confirmed the authenticity of the Facebook post to the Kansas City Star.
“You are able to see this post because I respect and honor your thoughts of me,” she wrote. “I wanted you to hear it from me first. I apologize for disappointing you. I just can’t carry this burden any more.”
The news comes in the same week as Notre Dame was ordered by the NCAA to vacate its wins from the 2012 and 2013 football season following an investigation into academic misconduct. A student athletic trainer was found to have broken the rules by completing substantial coursework for two players and giving six others impermissible academic extra benefits.
Kumar continued: “The wide spread desperation to succeed by other student-athletes at the bottom of an inverted pyramid of the organization’s construct across multiple sports. I self-reported on November 2 and naively wanted to close the door on the manner after seeking counsel. I immediately resigned from my position on November 7 prior to meeting with a member for compliance, general counsel, and an individual that reports to the chancellor.
After Kumar’s allegations came to light, the Mizzou athletics department issued a statement, which read: “The University of Missouri has received allegations of potential academic rules violations by a former tutor in the athletics academic services area. We are conducting a review of the allegations. We also have informed the NCAA, who is working with us on this matter. To protect the integrity of the review process, we will not comment further at this time.”
Kumar did not mention which sports were involved, but the revenue-generating sports in college athletics are football and men’s basketball.
The men’s basketball team was banned from the 2016 postseason and forfeited two scholarships when it imposed the sanctions. The NCAA accepted Mizzou’s punishments in closing the case in August.
