Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business Dean Resigns Position After Investigation into Grade Changes

Tuesday afternoon, Texas Tech University announced the results of an investigation into allegations of grade changes.

The Daily Toreador, and other media outlets, detailed the allegations made against Rawls College of Business Dean Lance Nail. Back in July, it was reported that allegations were made against Nail, stating that he changed the grades of four students, allowing them to graduate.

Texas Tech professor, Jay Conover, told the DT in July, "I went to graduation and I saw that several people’s names were on the graduation list that had been in my class,” he said. “I recognized a lot of names, but I also recognized names of some who didn’t do well in my class and I wondered, ‘How did they get MBAs?’”

In announcing the results of the investigation, Texas Tech University Provost Lawrence Schovanec said, "At Texas Tech University, we have policies and procedures in place to protect our fundamental academic standards and uphold the central role of the faculty. In this instance, the policies supporting these principles were not followed.”

According to Texas Tech, following a review of the report, Schovanec met with Nail. Nail then informed Schovanec of his official resignation as dean of the Rawls College of Business, effective December 31, 2015.

Nail will remain with Texas Tech University as a tenured professor of finance in the Rawls College of Business. Nail will also continue to chair the Board of Directors for the Texas Tech University Innovation Hub at Research Park.

Texas Tech University President Duane Nellis stated, “The seriousness of the claims warranted a comprehensive examination, and I appreciate the provost and committee for their diligence in this matter.”