Cracking down on cheating

It bodes well for both the University of Texas at Austin and its student athletes that University President Greg Fenves takes seriously new allegations of academic cheating by three basketball players.

A Chronicle of Higher Education investigation uncovered misconduct that dates back to 2006.

In response, Fenves has launched a sweeping review of academics for all college athletes to ensure that “academic integrity is at the core of everything we do at the University of Texas.”

The most disturbing aspect of the allegations is that members of university staff may have assisted or were at least aware of cheating.

While not yet validated, concerns of a more widespread cultural problem where athletes get special treatment are very real. That hurts not only the students involved but the athletic program’s reputation as well.

Mother always said, cheaters never prosper. And neither do the universities that protect them.

This story was originally published June 16, 2015 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Cracking down on cheating."