Colleges are often seen as gateways to a brighter future, places of learning, growth, and opportunity. Students enroll hoping for financial stability, fulfilling careers, and personal development. While most institutions successfully nurture talent and produce impactful graduates, some have been at the center of shocking scandals that captured global attention. Let’s delve into ten such incidents that left an indelible mark.
10 Syracuse University “Extremely Racist” Fraternity Video
Discrimination in any form is troubling, but it becomes a major scandal when it’s blatantly racist, homophobic, sexist, and anti-Semitic. In 2018, Syracuse University faced outrage after a video surfaced online showing fraternity members engaging in highly offensive behavior. The footage, obtained by the university’s newspaper, The Daily Orange, showed a mock oath filled with discriminatory language. This incident sparked widespread protests and led to the suspension of approximately 15 fraternity members. Despite the university’s actions, it highlighted ongoing issues, as this was reportedly the sixth race-related suspension at Syracuse in just three years, leaving many deeply concerned.
9 Atlanta Students’ Massive Cheating Scandal
Termed one of the most extensive university cheating scandals, this incident implicated around 200 educators in Atlanta. They were accused of systematically altering students’ answers on state standardized tests to boost scores. This was particularly shocking as Atlanta was known for its efforts to prevent student cheating. The educators faced charges of conspiracy for erasing incorrect answers and substituting correct ones. Daniel Koretz, author of The Testing Charade, suggested that immense pressure to meet high targets in an “underachieving district” likely drove these teachers to resort to widespread, scandalous cheating because they felt legitimate means were insufficient.
8 Duke Lacrosse Players’ Sexual Assault Charges
In 2006, Duke University’s image was severely tarnished by what became known as one of the biggest college scandals of the 2000s. On March 13, the Duke Lacrosse team hosted an off-campus party, hiring two strippers. The next day, one of the dancers, Crystal Mangum, reported to Durham police that three white Duke Lacrosse players had sexually assaulted her in a bathroom. As Mangum was a woman of color, the case quickly escalated into a racially charged hate crime, amplifying the scandal. DNA samples from all team members were collected. Months later, the results exonerated the players, and all charges were dropped. However, the reputations of the school and the individuals involved had already suffered significant damage.
7 Contract Cheating
While many are aware that cheating occurs in colleges, the extent to which some students will go for good grades can be surprising. A CBS News investigation uncovered a phenomenon known as “contract cheating.” This involves college students hiring individuals, often abroad, to complete their academic assignments. Although illegal in about 17 states, academic cheating is not a capital offense, and enforcement is often lax. This practice is a secretive issue, with neither the students nor their paid helpers willing to discuss it openly. It’s a significant concern, potentially contributing to underqualified graduates entering professional fields.
6 Remote-Learning Lawsuits Resulting from Campus Closures
Lawsuits related to remote learning aren’t common, but the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 changed that. Many educational institutions, including colleges and universities, closed indefinitely, forcing students home. These institutions soon began offering remote learning to continue education. With over 4,200 colleges and universities shut down, affecting more than 26 million students, friction was inevitable. Hundreds of students and parents filed lawsuits against colleges. They argued that full tuition fees were unfair since students weren’t receiving the expected on-campus experience and instruction. Top institutions like the University of Miami, Cornell University, Pennsylvania State University, and New York University faced these legal challenges.
5 Columbia University’s Student Worker Strike
In 2021, approximately 3,000 student-workers at Columbia University protested what they described as “unfair labor practices.” This strike was notable as one of the largest ever by college students. While campus strikes aren’t unusual, this one was particularly scandalous given the context. Student representatives pointed out that Columbia, despite being one of the nation’s wealthiest universities with high tuition fees, did not compensate its student workers adequately. The university proposed pay increases, healthcare funds, and increased stipends. However, students felt the offer was insufficient, citing New York’s rising living costs, low income, and underrepresentation of minority groups.
4 Baylor University Basketball Scandal
In the early 2000s, Baylor University’s basketball program faced investigation and penalties from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for multiple infractions. These included improper payments to players, but the murder of player Patrick Dennehy brought the scandal to a grim forefront. On June 12, 2003, teammate Carlton Dotson fatally shot Dennehy while they were shooting at a gravel pit. After Dennehy was missing for a week, his family filed a report, and Dotson eventually turned himself in. Dotson claimed self-defense. The murder trials, combined with other NCAA investigations, deeply stained Baylor University’s reputation in what became a major college scandal.
3 Duke University’s Biggest Cheating Scandal
In 2007, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business suspended students for cheating on exams. A professor noticed suspicious similarities in answers on a take-home exam, prompting further investigation. After reviewing submitted exams and other assignments, it was discovered that 34 students were involved in cheating to varying degrees. Consequently, nine students were expelled from the competitive two-year program, and fifteen others were suspended for a year. Due to educational privacy laws, the professor and students involved were never publicly identified, but the incident marked a significant cheating scandal for the prestigious business school.
2 Harvard University Sexual Assault Scandal
As a world-renowned academic institution, any controversy at Harvard University attracts significant attention. A notable scandal involved John Comaroff, a professor of African and African-American studies, who was accused of sexual assault. Allegations stated the professor kissed and touched students without consent, made unwarranted sexual advances, and threatened to hinder students’ career advancement if they complained. Comaroff was placed on unpaid administrative leave pending investigations. Despite investigation results finding the professor innocent of some claims but responsible for verbal conduct violating policies, three graduate students later sued Harvard. They alleged the institution failed to act seriously on the accusations, further marring the university’s reputation regarding sexual harassment complaints.
1 “Varsity Blues” College Admission Scandal
How far would some go for their child to attend an Ivy League college? The “Varsity Blues” investigation revealed that some wealthy parents were willing to pay over a million dollars. This massive scandal involved celebrities and low-key profiles, with federal prosecutors charging over 50 people. Parents unable to pay exorbitant sums allegedly used other illicit methods. These included falsely claiming learning disabilities for their children, arranging for stand-ins to take tests, or having proctors provide answers. Athletic careers were fabricated, and coaches were bribed. Besides celebrities, prominent CEOs like Jane Buckingham, Manuel Henriquez, Devin Sloane, Robert Zangrillo, John Wilson, and Robert Flaxman were also implicated, shaking the foundations of college admissions.
These scandals serve as stark reminders that even esteemed institutions can face serious challenges. They highlight issues ranging from discrimination and academic dishonesty to criminal activities, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance and ethical conduct within higher education.
What are your thoughts on these college scandals? Did any surprise you? Leave your comment below!
