LETTERS: Misconceptions about Marrow

To the Editor: The committee findings and the "Self-Report to the Ivy League" assigns a large measure of responsibility to the DRIA in this matter. There is no ambiguity in this regard. The self-imposed forfeiture of five games was certainly appropriate given the serious errors of judgment made by the DRIA. But the forfeiture of those games affects every student-athlete and member of the coaching staff who worked so hard this year to produce those victories; it affects, too, parents and friends. I am quite certain that to them, and to the broader Penn community, this is anything but a "slap on the wrist." The assertion that Professor Shropshire offered an independent study course "with little academic merit" is baseless and entirely without merit. Clearly, a member of the faculty at Penn has the discretion to grant an independent study request and, in fact, many such requests were approved last semester by members of the faculty. Professor Shropshire acted appropriately in approving an independent study request for Mr. Marrow; the committee findings, and the report, are quite clear about that fact. Make no mistake, the University is absolutely committed to maintaining the highest level of academic integrity in all matters. Anything less is unacceptable. Michael Wachter Interim Provost