Columns:: Digest

since 12/15/98

Columns::March 10, 2003

Digest

Athletics allegations investigated
Athletic Director Vince Dooley has announced that he will not renew the contract of assistant men’s basketball coach Jim Harrick Jr., who will remain under suspension with pay because of an ongoing investigation by the university, the Southeastern Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association into allegations of misconduct in the men’s basketball program. Dooley says Harrick Jr. is an “at will” employee and serves at the pleasure of the athletic director. His contract expires June 30.
Additionally, Arnett Mace, interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, has issued a letter of reprimand to Paul G. Schempp, head of the physical education and sports studies department.
“The university’s internal procedures were not followed in assigning faculty to the particular course which is the focus of the current investigation,” Mace says. “Professor Schempp is officially reprimanded for allowing that to happen.” The letter of reprimand becomes a part of Schempp’s personnel file.
“I have been kept fully informed of the progress of the investigation and support the appropriate actions taken by the athletic director and provost,” says President Michael F. Adams. “It troubles me when, despite the remarkable progress we have made at the University of Georgia both academically and athletically, charges are aired which question the integrity of this institution. We take such charges very seriously, and they are being investigated aggressively, thoroughly and expeditiously.
“The academic integrity of the University of Georgia is of paramount importance, and we will not tolerate breaches of the trust placed in us by the people of Georgia,” Adams also says.

Real Estate Foundation buys 72 acres
What is believed to be the largest remaining piece of undeveloped property contiguous to UGA’s main campus was purchased March 4 by the UGA Real Estate Foundation for $4.28 million. The approximately 72-acre parcel, known as the Hardin property, lies along the east bank of the North Oconee River across from UGA’s East Campus and is bisected by the Athens Perimeter highway.
Development of the property is not expected for several years, according to Pat Allen, UGA community relations executive director. Until it is developed, the property will remain under the ownership of the UGA Real Estate Foundation and will continue to pay Clarke County property tax, Allen says. Tax paid on the property in the last year totaled $2,892.
Consistent with the campus master plan, development likely will involve expanded student housing, instructional buildings and recreational facilities.
The portion of the acreage which lies in the river flood plain will be best used for recreational facilities, Allen says. A low plain along the river will allow vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle access between the two portions of the property under the existing highway bridge. Allen also says that the university has greatly reduced plans announced last October to purchase approximately 456 acres along Double Bridges Road, of which 235 acres were in Clarke County and 221 acres in Oglethorpe County.
“Our ongoing discussions regarding that transaction have resulted in that purchase being reduced to 238 acres, of which only about 35 acres are in Clarke County,” Allen says. A purchase agreement has not yet been completed on that remaining parcel.

Poet to give reading March 11
Poet Ethan Paquin will read from his work on March 11 at 4 p.m. in room 261 of Park Hall. The event is open to the public. The author of the poetry book The Makeshift, Paquin is the founder and editor of the online poetry magazine Slope (www.slope.org) and the book press Slope Editions.

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