Putney: Former police chief should return - or earn - VCU degree

The chairman of the state House Appropriations Committee has stepped up pressure on Virginia Commonwealth University to hold former Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe accountable for the degree he received improperly.

In a letter to VCU Rector Thomas Rosenthal, Del. Lacey E. Putney, I-Bedford, spelled out three options for Monroe, now police chief of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, N.C.

Monroe should complete the requirements necessary for the degree, voluntarily return it or transfer his VCU credits to the University of Phoenix and obtain a bachelor's degree from that school, Putney said.

Putney's letter was in response to a clarification by Rosenthal of a statement he had made to the committee Oct. 20.

According to Robert Vaughn, the committee's staff director, Rosenthal misspoke when he said the board of visitors did not have the legal authority to revoke the degree.

Rosenthal acknowledged that the board does have that authority, but revocation would be outside its policy, Vaughn said.

Putney's letter said the board too narrowly interpreted its policy to revoke a degree only as the result of academic misconduct by a student.

Putney cites a passage in the university bulletin that includes academic misconduct by others on behalf of a student.

"Clearly, the actions taken by the individuals involved in this unfortunate matter rise to the level of academic misconduct," Putney said. "From my view, it appears that the board has chosen to adhere to part of its policies while ignoring other aspects."

Rosenthal yesterday declined to comment on the letter, which also notes that the university bulletin says students must know their degree requirements.

"Neglect of one's academic responsibilities does not serve as an excuse to allow a student to hold a degree that was not properly earned," Putney said.

He said it was Monroe's responsibility to understand the 25 percent residency rule requirement, under which the chief should have taken 30 of 120 credit hours at VCU. Monroe took six credit hours, or two courses, to receive the degree and received additional credits online from the University of Phoenix.

Before taking any action, the board should inform Monroe that he did not qualify for the degree, Putney said. The board "at a minimum" should give Monroe the opportunity to correct the problem.

At a news conference last week, Monroe said he is considering doing that.

Kim McMillan, Charlotte's director of communications, said yesterday she expects Monroe to make a decision within 30 days. She said Monroe is considering all options, including attending a local university.

Schools such as Queens University have approached Monroe about completing his degree locally, she said.

Putney's letter was sent last week, but McMillan said Monroe was unaware of it before he held the news conference.

VCU officials appeared before the Appropriations Committee on Oct. 20 to hear the results of the investigation into the degree by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the legislature's watchdog agency.

The JLARC report and VCU's internal investigation both found Monroe was given preferential treatment.

The JLARC report backed the board of visitors' decision that it could not revoke the degree under current policy.

But Putney said he hoped Rosenthal will ask the board to reconsider its previous decision.

The board is scheduled to meet Nov. 20 to revise its policies. Putney said the committee may give the university another opportunity to explain its actions after that meeting.

Putney said that "in light of the seriousness of this issue," he wanted to remind Rosenthal that, by state law, the board of visitors "shall at all times be under the control of the General Assembly."