Richmond's former police chief can keep his degree, but some Virginia Commonwealth University officials might face disciplinary action for signing off on it.

That was the decision VCU announced yesterday after a monthlong investigation into how Rodney D. Monroe was awarded a bachelor's degree in 2007 even though he took only two courses at the school.

"We have concluded that none of this could have happened without individuals in positions of trust making serious errors in judgment in the degree-granting process," said Thomas Rosenthal, VCU's rector.

Rosenthal said the investigation found "no evidence of undue influence" by VCU President Eugene P. Trani, who attended portions of the board of visitors' four-hour closed meeting that preceded yesterday's announcement.

In a statement, Trani said he had no involvement other than to express his view that the possibility of Monroe getting his degree from VCU would be "a great idea."

Trani said he is now "more aware than ever that an enthusiastic, energetic president with lots of ideas may, however inadvertently, impact the behavior of others."

Rosenthal said the investigation found "lapses in judgment in the original events and in terms of cooperation with the investigation."

He said the findings will be sent to the university's provost for further investigation over the next 30 days. But because that probe will involve personnel matters, the results may not be made public.

The university will not revoke the degree awarded Monroe, who this month became police chief in Charlotte, N.C., because it found no misconduct on his part, Rosenthal said.

But VCU found he did not meet the residency requirement of earning a minimum of 30 of 120 credit hours at VCU. Monroe, who earned six credits at VCU, also took courses online through the University of Phoenix.

"It is a legitimate VCU degree," Rosenthal said.

Monroe said he was having dental work yesterday and could not comment. But he said in a statement that the investigation "confirms what I have known and said all along -- I earned my degree, and I sought no favors from VCU."

Rosenthal said there was no evidence that Monroe "had any role in requesting an exception to this residency rule, or even was aware that the rule existed, or that an exception was granted."

According to Trani, Monroe had earned a total of 121 credits from other institutions and was informed he needed only six more credits from VCU. He has since earned 18 graduate credits from VCU.

The degree was a requirement for Monroe's new job. Charlotte's city manager issued a statement saying the probe was "an unwelcome distraction" and that it was "unfortunate that the issue arose only as Chief Monroe was leaving his post as a highly effective police chief in Richmond."

Rosenthal said Monroe had cooperated with the investigation and had waived his right of privacy to allow the university to identify him as the subject of the probe.

The university launched its investigation May 22 after Rosenthal received an anonymous e-mail allegation that said Monroe was awarded the degree as the result of political pressure.

At yesterday's news conference, Rosenthal would not comment on a question about whether Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder played any role in the awarding of the degree. He said he could not discuss personnel matters.

Wilder, who hired Monroe and had encouraged him to get his degree, holds the title of distinguished professor at VCU in the school that bears his name.

Monroe's bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree was awarded through VCU's University College. His focus area was criminal justice, which falls under the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

Wilder was unavailable for comment yesterday, spokesman Linwood Norman said. Asked whether the city or the mayor had exerted any influence in the awarding of Monroe's degree, Norman said, "This is a VCU matter."

Rosenthal said the university had examined all degrees granted since 2003 and was confident that the "overall degree granting policies and processes met high standards."

He said Monroe's case was the only instance, other than the awarding of degrees posthumously, in which a student did not have 30 credit hours at VCU.

Rosenthal said after the provost completes his investigation, the results will be forwarded to the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a regional accrediting body.

Belle S. Wheelan, president of the Decatur, Ga.-based commission, said she had not yet heard from the university about yesterday's decision.

"Until I hear from the university, I have no comment."
Contact Karin Kapsidelis at (804) 649-6119 or kkapsidelis@timesdispatch.com.

Staff writer Will Jones contributed to this story.