The report regarding the recent plagiarism accusations against Chancellor Walter Wendler is scheduled to be released some time next week, said SIU President Glenn Poshard.
During a phone interview from his home Wednesday, Poshard said the document, which at this time remains classified, is being reviewed by members of the Board of Trustees, and it will be made public after they are finished.
A largely faceless group calling themselves Alumni and Faculty Against Corruption at SIU levied accusations against Wendler earlier this semester. The group claims that parts of the university's Southern at 150 plan were lifted from a similar plan at Texas A&M University. Wendler worked at the Texas university and was one of the main crafters of the Vision 2020 plan before coming to SIUC.
Shortly after the accusations were made public, Poshard appointed a three-person panel to examine the claims. The committee consisted of Paul Simon Public Policy Institute director Mike Lawrence, zoology department chairman William Muhlach and SIU School of Law Associate Dean Wenona Whitfield. The committee submitted its report to Poshard on Oct. 16.
Meanwhile, a report surfaced on a local blog Tuesday afternoon claiming a "good source" said Wendler had resigned. The blog, which is maintained by local entrepreneur Peter Gregory, follows Carbondale and university news, and often contains comments and opinions of Gregory's that are largely against Wendler and his plans.
Gregory could not be reached for comment about the blog posting.
The post created a small stir. and both Wendler and Poshard denounced the claim as a rumor. Wendler would not speculate about the rumor's source.
"I have not resigned my position from the university," Wendler said Wednesday. "And that is it. There is nothing else to say."
Poshard, who was alerted to the claim Tuesday night, said he has been away from the office and ill for a few days but called all of his senior staffers that night to verify that it was untrue.
Andrea Zimmermann can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 252 or andrea_zimmermann@dailyegyptian.com.
