Virginia Commonwealth University's board of visitors next month will take up allegations that the university unfairly conducted its investigation into the awarding of a degree to Richmond's former police chief.

"It will definitely be discussed," VCU rector Thomas Rosenthal said of the allegations, which were contained in letters written by two of four officials whose resignations were announced Tuesday.

Rosenthal said he could not comment on the allegations.

But Dan Ream, president of the faculty senate, said yesterday that "some improper interviewing" did take place during the investigation.

There were "improper threats made to potential tenure," he said. "You don't threaten tenure."

He said the university's provost looked into the allegation and apologized to the faculty member involved.

"I was pleased that he also thought that was unacceptable," Ream said.

The resignation of the four VCU officials was unusual for a university that has "a very stable, long-term relationship" with most employees, Rosenthal said. But he said the university has weathered its recent controversies "quite well" and will emerge with an enhanced reputation.

"We felt we have dealt with what was a very serious matter," Rosenthal said.

VCU's investigation concluded that Rodney D. Monroe, now police chief in Charlotte, N.C., had been improperly awarded a bachelor's degree.

The board of visitors will meet Aug. 20-21, but the discussion of the investigation will be in closed session because it involves personnel issues, Rosenthal said.

The letters of protest were written by Robert D. Holsworth, who resigned as dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences, and Michael D. Pratt, who resigned as interim director of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and as director of the VCU Center for Public Policy.

Both will remain on the faculty of the university, as will Peter S. Kirkpatrick, who stepped down as executive director of the Office of International Education. Kirkpatrick's resignation was unrelated to the investigation into the awarding the degree.

The fourth departure was by S. Jon Steingass, dean of the University College, which awarded the degree to Monroe.

"These are good people," Rosenthal said. "They have done good service to this university."

He termed the situation unfortunate. Asked if he was sorry they had stepped down, he said, "I did not say that."

Ream said the reaction on campus has been "mostly a sense of sadness."

"These were respected people who resigned," he said.

VCU announced last month that Monroe was improperly awarded a bachelor's degree last year because he took only two courses at the school in violation of university policy requiring that 25 percent of course work be taken there.

Monroe, who had received credits from other schools, was allowed to keep the degree. But the university announced July 11 that it had taken "appropriate" but unspecified disciplinary action against some university officials as the result.

The officials were not identified.

VCU spokeswoman Pam Lepley termed the resignations this week as "independent actions."

"It was their decisions," she said.
Contact Karin Kapsidelis at (804) 649-6119 or kkapsidelis@timesdispatch.com.