Douglas T. Breeden - Duke University's Fuqua School of Business

Fuqua’s Career Management Center
has fielded questions from a number
of recruiters regarding some of the
facts surrounding the case, and many
have voiced their support. The Center
contacted all employers of Fuqua
interns to let them know how they
could verify the status of any interns
they had hired.
“We have longstanding relationships
with our valued employers, and
they’re very aware that this incident
is an anomaly,” said Sheryle Dirks,
assistant dean and director of Fuqua’s
Career Management Center. “They
certainly want to see that Fuqua is
serious about instilling honor and
integrity in its students, and I think
they feel reassured on that point.”
Likewise, some prospective students
and their parents have also contacted
Fuqua with questions about the
cheating as they make important decisions
about their academic futures.
“A school’s reputation is an important
consideration as prospective students
evaluate their options,” added
Liz Riley-Hargrove, assistant dean of
daytime MBA program. “We think
Fuqua’s actions throughout these last
few months will serve to put to rest
any lingering concerns about the
value we place on honesty and honor.”
—Christian Privett
briefs {
FUQUA’S ALUMNI COMMUNITY WAS QUICK TO EXPRESS A WIDE RANGE OF FEELINGS
ABOUT THE HONOR CODE VIOLATIONS. SEVERAL HUNDRED RESPONSES WERE SENT
TO FUQUA AFTER DEAN BREEDEN’S E-MAIL UPDATES ON THE DEVELOPING SITUATION.
“I commend you and the rest of the faculty for having the courage and fortitude to
act in the best interest of the school and its reputation despite the inevitable flood
of negative publicity surrounding your decision. As I read about continued moral
and ethical lapses in business, I think that your actions are instructive not only to
Fuqua students but to others as well. I, for one, have never been more proud to be
a Fuqua alum.” —Gregory Friedman, ’83
“I am a class of ’85 student now living in Auckland, New Zealand. Given my distance
from Fuqua, I have not read any press accounts of this matter, so I appreciate your
thorough and thoughtful communication. Organizations must ‘walk the walk,’ not just
‘talk the talk.’ I have always been proud of my Fuqua association, but never more than
now. Thank you and the other members of the Judicial Board for upholding the
integrity of the institution we all hold so dear.” —Chris Hollister, ’85
“I have been following this case closely and wanted to let you and the Fuqua community
know that I am very proud of the way the school has handled this situation….I don’t
know if there is only one ‘correct’ way to handle the issue of an ethics violation in a
school, but this sure sounds like the right way to me.” —Andrew Simmons, ’86
“Thank you for your efforts to disclose fully to alumni the regrettable circumstances
surrounding this outcome. I am deeply saddened to hear that the cheating was so
widespread amongst the first-year class. I, too, hope that the decision to uphold the
honor code will provide some reinforcement for these students that cheating is not
the way to achieve in our society. I recognize this process must have been difficult for
the faculty and student body, and I hope that some lessons were learned that might
prevent the repetition of this scenario.” —Anne Hooper, ’91
“In a blurred world, your leadership on this basic issue—that cheating is unacceptable—is
a beacon of sanity. Thank you for confronting the issue and protecting our
values. Thank you for handling it responsibly and compassionately.”
—John Courtney, ’98
“I am not pleased to read your report and to learn of the cheating episode at Fuqua. The
terms ‘responsibility and accountability’ clearly have diminished in importance over
time and somehow seem to have been lost within today’s society and culture, which is
both sad and most unfortunate. Therefore, as a member of the ‘old school’ that believes
honor, respect, and a true sense of personal responsibility for one’s actions should exist
as vital cornerstones of society and culture, I am pleased to know that your administration
has taken appropriate action in the situation…” —Kevin Karl, ’86
“As a member of a university faculty, I have faced honor code violations and know how
widespread and serious a problem they have become. Even more distressing is how
lax some administrations’ attitudes are toward enforcement of honor codes. It is gratifying
to see that Duke and Fuqua do not fall into this category.” —Mark Lauer, ’91
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