NCAA penalizes Weber State for academic dishonesty


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OGDEN — A Weber State University math instructor violated NCAA rules by completing coursework for five football athletes resulting in a three year probation period, according to the NCAA’s Division I Committee on Infractions panel.

"We take full responsibility for the incident," Weber State President Charles Wight said in a statement. "While we regret that it occurred, it is reassuring to know the systems we have in place quickly detected these unethical activities. We must remain vigilant going forward."

The decision came Wednesday morning after investigators found that five football athletes were given help on quiz and test answers, according to a statement released by the NCAA. The math instructor admitted the five athletes gave her their usernames and passwords and that she would complete various tests and exams.

An adjunct professor at the university noticed one of the athletes had completed six quizzes and a final exam in less than an hour, according to the NCAA statement. The math department immediately did a “full review of the developmental math program” and charged the five students with academic dishonesty and issued failing grades, according to the statement.


The math instructor is no longer employed at Weber State. If she had not resigned abruptly, upon learning of learning of the developmental math investigation, her employment would have been terminated.

–Allison Barlow Hess


"We self reported within three weeks of learning of a potential violation, and the NCAA definitely commended Weber State on its proactive approach," said Allison Barlow Hess, director of public relations for the univeristy. "Anything that the NCAA requested Weber State provided as part of this investigation."

The NCAA panel found that Weber State was quick to action, but a penalty would still be issued to the university. Penalties include three years probation from Nov. 19, 2014 through Nov. 18, 2017, reduction of scholarships by nine for the football team (three each season), a $5,000 fine plus 2 percent of the school’s football program operating budget.

In addition, there is a “five-year show-cause order for the math instructor,” which means a member school must appear before a committee panel if the math teacher has responsibilities in its athletic department.

Based on NCAA rules, the students and teacher involved have not been named at this time. The teacher is no longer employed at the university and has resigned, according to Hess.

"The math instructor is no longer employed at Weber State," Hess said. "If she had not resigned abruptly, upon learning of learning of the developmental math investigation, her employment would have been terminated."

Contributing: Peter Samore

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