UCD'S Smurfit School of Business is facing a serious crisis with an investigation under way into allegations that an American lecturer, Mr Gary Santry, presented false academic credentials to secure employment at the college.
The investigation will be concluded as soon as possible, a spokesman said yesterday, and would look at procedures for vetting academic qualifications of those seeking to join the staff. It was being carried out by senior staff and results will be submitted to the president, Dr Art Cosgrove.
The college could also be facing an investigation by the accreditation body, Equis, which recently included it among the top business schools in Europe. This was after a six-month evaluation process and three-daysite visit.
Education sources said last night this accreditation looked at the "governance" of the school. If the body withdrew accreditation, or qualified it in any way, it would damage the college's reputation.
A UCD spokesman declined to discuss the allegations or the implications yesterday, but said Mr Santry had submitted a letter of resignation. The lecturer, who was still listed on the school's website yesterday, claimed to have an Masters in Business Administration from Notre Dame and a PhD from the Southern Methodist University in Texas.
The investigation will concentrate on allegations that Mr Santry falsified these qualifications. Attempts to reach Mr Santry, who worked in the Department of Banking and Finance, for comment have been unsuccessful.
It is possible some students might instigate legal action against the school, although senior education and legal sources said because the case only involved one lecturer, these had little prospect of success. The president of UCD student's union, Mr Aonghus Hourihane, said he would be bringing the issue up at the next UCD governing authority meeting.
He said students were paying thousands of pounds to attend courses at the school and they needed to be certain that staff were properly qualified.