TULSA Community Colleg investigates tampering

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Tulsa police have been asked to help investigate grade tampering at one of Tulsa Community College's four campuses. <br><br>School President Dean VanTrease said officials had determined

Friday, June 8th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Tulsa police have been asked to help investigate grade tampering at one of Tulsa Community College's four campuses.

School President Dean VanTrease said officials had determined that grades for 53 students had been altered since January 1999, a time span covering five semesters. It is believed the cheating occurred at the TCC Northeast campus.

A school employee admitted changing grades for her boyfriend and his roommate, TCC Police Chief Bill Horton said. Grade changes involving the 51 other students are yet to be solved.

Horton said the employee's identity was being kept confidential while the investigation continues. She reportedly has resigned as an admission and records employee at TCC Northeast.

It has not been determined whether she will be charged with a crime. TCC spokeswoman Lauren Brookey said the college was awaiting word on such action from the district attorney's office.

VanTrease said TCC students who knowingly had their grades altered would be expelled, and those who got associate degrees under such circumstances would have their degrees revoked.

``It is very disheartening and alarming that something of this magnitude could happen here,'' VanTrease said. ``In my 37 years in higher education, I have never heard of or had experience with such matters.''

Tulsa Police Officer Lucky Lamons confirmed that the police Cyber Crimes Unit was asked to help with the case because the grades were allegedly changed using computers, he said.