AASA President makes discrimination charges

African American Student Association President Jonathan Correia "Our plan right now is to have the administration invite the College of Nursing to write a letter of apology, not only for the accusations of academic misconduct, but also apologizing for racially discriminating against Mr. [Dirisu] Musa," Correia said. "If they fail to do so, my next order of action would be to host a press conference and allow the media to catch wind of the situation of what the University is doing and what they're failing to do." Corriea believes discrimination played a part in this case because of the seven students that were implicated in the hearing, only two were charged with academic misconduct and both students were minorities. "I just don't think it was coincidential these students that were all in possesion of this exact same study guide were never brought up on charges of academic misconduct," Correia said. Even though two students were exonerated from academic misconduct charges close to one month ago, they still claim the administration that brought those charges discriminated against them racially, and an investigation looking into those claims is underway. Musa, who is from Nigeria, and Parveen "Terry" Kumar, from India, were charged with academic misconduct by the administration of the College of Nursing when they were found to be in possession of an allegedly unauthorized study guide. However, after a hearing, the administration dropped the charges. Musa, a senior majoring in pediatrics and the most vocal of the students, said that even though he and Kumar had all academic misconduct charges against them dismissed, they feel they should not have even been charged in the first place. Musa said there were other students who had the study guide as well, but those students were never implicated. Musa said he feels he and Kumar were charged because of their race. Barbara Broome, associate dean of the College of Nursing and one of the faculty members involved in the initial investigation of academic misconduct, is black. "My thing with Dr. Broome is that I just don't think it is coincidential that the administration would use the associate dean, who is actually the only minority faculty member at the College of Nursing, to write these letters and to make these implications," Correia said. "I think Dr. [Debra] Davis knew what she was doing in having Dr. Broome, who is the only minority in that college to pretty much be at the forefront. I think Dr. Davis is using the minority as a coverup for herself to prevent any eyes being upon her for discrimination ... That's a well known tactic." Dean of the College of Nursing Debra Davis could again not comment on this case, but she issued a statement that The Vanguard printed last week. Davis asked that the statement be printed again. "Whenever a student reports a potential violation of University academic standards policies by another student," Davis said, "faculty are morally obligated to conduct an investigation. This case provides a clear example as to why these investigations should be done privately to protect the good name and character of the accused student, as well as to conform to federal student privacy laws. It is unfortunate that this matter has become public and inappropriate to comment further on it." Under federal student privacy laws, the University is prohibited from commenting on this particular case, since Musa and Kumar are students and the case essentially deals with their academic records. It is the same law that prohibits parents from viewing students' grades. Dale Adams, vice president of student affairs at USA, could not comment on this case specifically because it is currently being investigated, but he adamantly said he has no reason to believe any racial discrimination takes place at the University. Musa has turned to Correia for help in investigating possible racial discrimination. "It is a little sketchy to me for the simple fact that the administration kept telling [Musa] they don't know why he is continuing to pursue this issue when he was already exonerated, when the case was dismissed because they didn't have any proof" Correia said. "But where was Musa's due process when these other students were being questioned about Musa and the circulation of this study guide? Where was his representation then? Where was his fair chance to speak his mind then?" Correia pointed to the letter that Broome sent to Donna Lee, another student involved in the academic misconduct case but never charged, as a sign of possible discrimination. The letter thanked Lee for granting the College of Nursing administration access to her email and told Lee she would not be implicated in the matter. "The letter clearly states that that student would not be put at fault if they did testify against Musa," Correia said. Lee said she was contacted by Broome 10-15 times a day about accessing the email, and Lee said she never once granted Broome permission. "I believe the entire thing was a lie," Correia said. "I do believe discrimination played a role in it." But there are some students who feel that the College of Nursing administration acted characteristically in pursuing their investigation of academic misconduct. A nursing student who asked that her name be withheld said the administration traditionally employs fear techniques, especially when trying to get to the bottom of a possible cheating case. "I think they just messed with the wrong two students this time," she said.