An investigation by the Ann-Arbor News of a class popular with athletes at a University of Michigan school turned up claims it was used as a “safety net” to boost GPAs for athletes who must meet academic eligibility requirements.
However, the school has determined the claims are “baseless.”
John Hagen, a University of Michigan-Ann Arbor psychology professor, defended his independent study course in a series of press releases from the university. He said many courses begin as independent study courses and then evolve into traditional forms that are more accessible to students.
Hagen, who has been at the university for more than 40 years, said he has worked with students who have learning disabilities and other academic challenges and said his class is neither a “study skills” class nor a “GPA booster,” as critics claim.
“It is absolutely not true that student-athletes perform better in my courses than other students,” he said in a telephone interview. “Student-athletes, like all other student entering a university, come with different learning abilities and capacities.”
Hagen said the course focus on students learning “their own strategy, style and mode” may cause someone to mistake it for a study skills course but the skills they learn can help throughout their academic careers.
The University of Michigan’s communications department had no comment on the situation and referred to the university’s past investigations of Hagen and his courses.
The College of Literature, Sciences and the Arts and the psychology department conducted two separate investigations starting in December after a faculty member said Hagen’s course did not meet department or school guidelines. Both reports found the claims brought against Hagen were “baseless.”
“My office was able to determine not only that there is nothing about professor Hagen’s independent study program that should concern us, but in fact, he is performing a valuable service for the students in those studies and to the university by having them available,” Associate Dean Robert Megginson said.
In a letter sent to psychology department Chairwoman Terri Lee, Michigan soccer player Cam Cameron, a sophomore currently enrolled in Hagen’s Psychology 218 — the “study skills” class — defended Hagen and his courses.
“Any professor willing to contract with a student for a one-on-one course deserves admiration, adulation and respect rather than criticism, innuendo and disparaging editorials,” Cameron said in the letter.
Boston University Athletic Director Mike Lynch said most BU athletes come to the university primarily for a good education, with sports coming second.
“You’re not talking about managing a student’s schedule so you can make sure they can attend practice,” Lynch said. “It’s more about trying to figure out the best possible approach that will enable them to graduate in four years.”
Student-athlete Support Services Director Phil DeCarlo said the standards for athletes are the same as for other students and said the Office of Admissions determines which athletes get into BU. He said students both above and below the general standards are accepted, but the department expects every student-athlete to graduate on time, he said.
Some Michigan athletes may aspire to go professional, he said, but “our athletes know they’re coming here to get a good education, graduate in four years and get a good job.”
