The Michigan Times

Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Campus

Media Credit: Deccan Herald, Aug. 29, 2009 [Click to enlarge]

An award-winning University of Michigan-Flint professor is being investigated for possible conflict of interest.

The investigation began after School of Management (SOM) faculty complained about Professor Madhukar Angur holding a second job in India.

Angur said he has notified UM-Flint of his work for the Alliance Business School (ABS), where his brother is president. He said disgruntled SOM faculty are conducting a smear campaign.

“I am an honorary dean (with ABS), but it is within the framework of (UM-Flint),” Angur said, adding that he was unaware of an investigation. “I absolutely followed the procedures for all the conflict of interest (and) conflict of commitment (COI/COC) reports.”

Provost Vahid Lotfi sent an Oct. 26 e-mail to members of the SOM Executive Committee saying he has appointed a team to “conduct a thorough review” of the alleged violations. Lotfi declined a request to be interviewed, as did SOM faculty.

“The University has a policy, in personnel issues, to not comment on them,” University Relations Executive Director Jennifer Hogan said. “So, there’s really nothing I can say regarding this matter.”

Angur holds two class sessions on campus between 4-9:45 p.m. on Tuesdays, according to the Student Information System. Angur is one of the highest paid professors on campus with an annual full-time equivalent salary of $120,000 per year, according to a report from The Michigan Daily.

Section B-1 of the UM-Flint Policy on Staff COI/COC states that staff members must promptly disclose any possible conflicts to their immediate supervisor, dean or department head.

According to documents obtained by The Michigan Times:

• Faculty members complained about the “disappearance” of Angur for two weeks in October, forcing him to cancel one week of classes to attend to administrative duties in India.

• The controversy has created a crisis within SOM where morale is described as being at an “all-time low.” It is being blamed for faculty members leaving UM-Flint.

• This is the second time the Provost’s office has investigated the complaint. Lotfi wrote in September that “a review has been conducted and appropriate action has been taken.” When complaints continued, Lotfi wrote in October that he was re-opening the investigation.

Angur said his work in India has benefited UM-Flint, and that he is the victim of a vendetta.

“We had an articulation agreement where the students from (India) came here,” Angur said. “Our students went only there for internships. If anything, the University of Michigan benefited by students coming here because they came here, they did part of their studies and they paid our tuition.”

“There were one or two colleagues who were disgruntled about something,” Angur said. “I don’t want them to smear my name in any way.”

Angur’s attorney, Steve Knox, said he has contacted the U-M Office of General Counsel.

“It isn’t an investigation. It’s a review, just like any other professor would have. I don’t think there is a formal investigation, as far as I know,” Knox said when asked if he knows when the investigation will be completed. “Dr. Angur has been very thorough in filing his conflict of interest statement.”

Angur has received several teaching awards during his 19 years on campus, including the Teaching Excellence Award, the Scholarly or Creative Achievement Award, the Distinguished Service Award and the David M. French Professorship.

The Michigan Times has filed a Michigan Freedom of Information request to University officials for documents related to the inquiry.

David can be reached at daveenhu@umflint.edu.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools