"The University has been reviewing academic issues related to some courses in our Department of African and Afro-American Studies," Holden said in a statement released Thursday. "The questions that we have concern possible irregularities with courses that included undergraduate students."
Professor Julius Nyang'oro resigned effectively immediately.
He is tied to both Mike McAdoo and Marvin Austin, who were kicked off the football team.
McAdoo's much publicized plagiarism went undetected under Nyang'oro and Austin took a 400-level class taught by Nyang'oro as a freshman. Freshmen must get permission to take high level classes.
It also has been well publicized that Nyang'oro rarely gave low grades in his classes.
The facts of the case are being reviewed and the university is trying to determine whether any university policies were violated.
College of Arts and Sciences Dean Karen Gil has appointed Professor Evelyne Huber to serve as interim chair of the Department of African and Afro-American Studies.
"I have discussed with Chair Wade Hargrove and UNC President Tom Ross the means by which we will continue to review these issues," Holden explained. "I will brief key elected faculty groups and will keep our board, President Ross, the Board of Governors and our faculty committees informed throughout this process."
UNC is currently facing allegations of misconduct and will appear before a NCAA committee in October. The allegations resulted in the suspension of football players and eventually the firing of head coach Butch Davis.
In addition to accusations of academic misconduct, some football players are accused of having inappropriate contact with NFL agents.
Chancellor Thorp's full statement:
"The University has been reviewing academic issues related to some courses in our Department of African and Afro-American Studies. The questions that we have concern possible irregularities with courses that included undergraduate students. I have accepted Professor Julius Nyang'oro's resignation from his position as chair of the department, effective immediately. We will continue to review the facts to determine whether there have been any violations of university policy and to determine what additional actions are necessary. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Karen Gil has appointed Professor Evelyne Huber to serve as interim chair of the Department of African and Afro-American Studies. She is the Morehead Alumni Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and will continue in those roles. I want to affirm the value we place on our African and Afro-American Studies department. This is an important area of study for a prestigious Southern university, and that makes it all the more important that we correct any problems that may exist within the department. I have discussed with Chair Wade Hargrove and UNC President Tom Ross the means by which we will continue to review these issues. I will brief key elected faculty groups and will keep our board, President Ross, the Board of Governors and our faculty committees informed throughout this process. Because academic integrity is paramount, we have every obligation to get to the bottom of these issues. This process has been difficult, and we've been through a lot this past year, but the only right thing to do is to pursue the facts and fix the problems."
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