A five-month internal investigation into the academic practices of the Ohio State football program found no wrongdoing, the school said Wednesday.
The probe–conducted by a committee of 10 OSU faculty members–was launched after the New York Times reported that running back Maurice Clarett was granted preferential treatment and received a passing grade in a class despite walking out on an exam.
Paulette Pierce, who taught African-American and African Studies 101, admitted giving Clarett oral tests in place of the midterm and final exams. Pierce said Clarett and other players told her that tutors frequently did their work for them.
The OSU panel conducted interviews with more than 60 individuals, reviewed documents and submitted a 30-page report to school president Karen Holbrook.
Asked how he came to the conclusion that the program was clean, committee chair and chemistry professor Matthew Platz said: “We talked to lots and lots of people. When you hear the same story over and over again, we believed it. …
“The facts in this case were very easy to uncover.”
