Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the nation’s largest public urban research institutions, with more than 32,000 students and a vibrant medical center in the center of Virginia’s capital city.
In May 2008, the chairman of the University’s Board of Directors received an anonymous email alleging that the City’s Police Chief was awarded a degree in violation of University policies and accreditation standards. The email further alleged that the degree was awarded as a result of influence by the Dean of the University’s largest College, who was a highly recognizable political commentator, and the City’s Mayor, a faculty member and the first elected African-American governor in the United States since Reconstruction.
As Executive Director of the University’s Department of Assurance Services, Mr. Bunce was assigned responsibility for investigating the allegations, which was conducted under intense scrutiny of the General Assembly, the media, and the public. This session will review the investigative procedures, findings, and results, as well as the subsequent investigation by the General Assembly’s watchdog agency.