National Science Foundation Grant Plagiarism Investigation

Trouble with the CONCEPT project at CMU

QUICK LINKS: Overview | The Latest | All Coverage | Documentation

In September 2004, mathematics faculty at Central Michigan University submitted a grant proposal to the National Science Foundation, requesting funding for a project titled “CONCEPT: CONnecting Content and Pedagogical Education of Pre-service Teachers,” which aimed to improve the math department’s secondary education program.

In June 2005, they earned $770,119 in grant money to fund the project for up to five years.

However, on Oct. 27, 2009, the CMU Board of Trustees approved the reimbursement of $619,489 in grant money to the NSF because, it said, the CONCEPT project could not be successfully completed with the remaining funds. The real reason behind the move came to light two days later, when Director of Public Relations Steve Smith called Central Michigan Life.

After an investigation that began in 2007, it was discovered two members of a math department research project violated Central Michigan University’s research integrity policy, prompting the Board of Trustees to approve the money return. An investigation report alleged two math faculty who were project investigators copied and pasted uncited information as part of the research.

Less than two weeks later, documents Central Michigan Life obtained that math professor Douglas Lapp and former professor Azita Manouchehri, now at Ohio State University, were responsible for the violation.

The latest from Central Michigan Life

Lapp, Manouchehri identified as professors who violated research policy in NSF grant
Math professor Douglas Lapp and former professor Azita Manouchehri were identified as the individuals responsible for violating the research integrity policy while writing a grant proposal, according to investigative documents obtained by Central Michigan Life.
Nov. 13, 2009

All the coverage

Two CMU math faculty members violate integrity policy; university returns $619,489 in grant money
Two members of a math department research project violated Central Michigan University’s research integrity policy, prompting the Board of Trustees to return $619,489 in grant money.
Nov. 2, 2009

EDITORIAL: CMU Board of Trustees has an obligation to tell students the truth
At a special session last Tuesday, the Board of Trustees briefly mentioned returning grant money to the National Science Foundation. The Board failed to mention why to the project couldn’t be completed or elaborate on the situation.
Nov. 2, 2009

University officials expect to find source of money to return NSF grant within two weeks
University officials have yet to determine where money will come from to pay back a $619,489 grant to the National Science Foundation.
Nov. 4, 2009

Math associate professor: I wasn’t involved in writing the NSF grant
Lisa DeMeyer, ne of the seven mathematics faculty members listed on the original National Science Foundation proposal that was found to be plagiarized, confirmed she did not participate in writing the proposal.
Nov. 5, 2009

COLUMN: Academic dishonesty should not be tolerated, especially when it’s faculty
Professors should be held to the same standard as students when it comes to plagiarizing. Whatever costs the university has to pay should be covered by the guilty party involved.
Nov. 6, 2009

Documentation

• Original Grant Proposal to the National Science Foundation

• A Timeline of the CONCEPT grant and impending investigation

• Letter serving as a report on an inquiry (from Vice Provost of Research Janine Janosky to interim Provost Gary Shapiro)

• Report on an Inquiry into an Allegation of Research Misconduct from Wayne Osborn, interim vice provost of research

• A Report from the Investigation Committee, submitted to Azita Manouchehri and Douglas Lapp

• Final report investigating alleged research misconduct by Azita Manouchehri

• Final report by the Investigation Committee

• Affidavit of Azita Manouchehri

• Manouchehri’s official response to the investigation committee’s report

• Research Integrity Policy at Central Michigan University

Chris Korbel
It concerns me that CMU as a University can afford $20 million or more to fund a medical program, but it can’t afford to fund the Promise scholarships. Where is this money coming from?

It concerns me that CMU as a University can afford $600,000+ to fund the fraudulent activities of some math professors, but it can’t afford to fund the Promise scholarships.

What concerns me most, however, is the University, through its actions mentioned above, appears to have some very misguided priorities. What ever happend to putting students first?

I urge CMU students to unite and pressure your administration to fund these “Promises” through the use of Federal stimulus dollars. Did you know that Michigan State and Ferris have made this decision?

Please join me in contacting Kathy Wilbur, Interim President; David Burdette, VP for Finance; and Kirk Yats in the Scholarship office. Email addresses are:

yats1km@cmich.edu
burde1da@cmich.edu
president@cmich.edu

Ask them about priorities. You will hear that the University simply doesn’t have the money to fund these “Promises;” yet they can fund fraud and an exorbitant new program such as the medical campus. Above all, make yourselves be heard. They are hearing from me; will you as students take up the cause??