Independent study classes are popular with UNC football players. In the last five years, football players have comprised 68 of 327 spots (20 percent) in independent courses offered by UNC's College of Arts and Sciences, the News & Observer reports. That looks suspicious for a football program suffering from an academic and improper benefits scandal. The NCAA has accused the football program of nine major rules violations. Now, the College of Arts and Sciences dean promises a thorough review of the independent study courses.
"I take these matters very seriously, and we are going forward looking to strengthen our policies and practices within the department," dean Karen Gill said. The News & Observer report notes that independent study courses are open to abuse because of the absence of class time and little oversight of the course work produced. No classes are held with independent study courses. Students usually must complete a term paper.