As a current instructor at UT (and former Thornton tutor), I can say it is still happening and it is only a matter of time before another whistleblower exposes Thornton Athletics. Every semester I have around ten or so football players pushed into my courses. They show up for two or three classes, never come back and I have to give them an NC instead of the F they earned. It is very frustrating when I have students on my waitlist who want to take the course but cannot get in because I have to take Thornton students first. Each of these students has a personal observer who is supposed to be keeping up with them. I have emailed these observers multiple times over student absences and general lack of effort. I have never had any of these emails answered. Three times a semester I have to report student athlete grades to Thornton, and I never get any replies from that either, even when students are blatantly failing. I wasn't a tutor for very long, but caught onto what was going on there pretty quick too. Abysmal pay for tutors (up to 20 hours a week of prep, just to be paid for one hour of tutoring at nine dollars an hour). Tons of upfront training on ethical standards, but as soon as the doors close to the private tutoring rooms, the athlete lets you know how it is really going to be and how you really earn under the table as a tutor.
I am sure the same thing goes on at every big football school, but I can tell you that folks in my department, as well as some I've talked to outside of the department, are just about over it with Thornton. So, I figure I won't be too long before there is another big scandal.
No, I will not tell which department I am in, (it is one that gets a lot of student athletes). And No, I will not be giving out any proof of my position (I'd like to keep it). You can believe me or not.
