Posted: May 8, 2015
Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426
ST. PAUL, Minn., May 8, 2015 – Dr. Dorothy Duran, president of Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical, today released findings from The University of Texas at Austin dismissing an allegation of plagiarism and affirming her doctoral degree. Duran was recently accused of plagiarism in her dissertation by a former adjunct instructor from South Central College.
MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone said, “We are pleased, but not surprised, with the outcome reported by The University of Texas at Austin. As we said at the time of the accusation, the accepted protocol is to rely on the issuing institution to evaluate the work, and we would fully respect that process. These reckless charges are one tactic in a coordinated campaign of personal attacks intended to tarnish the reputations of MnSCU presidents. We consider the matter closed. We are pleased to be able to focus on serving our students without any additional distraction.”
As MnSCU Board of Trustees Chair Tom Renier said previously: “MnSCU has attracted some of the very best, brightest, and accomplished educators in the nation to lead our colleges and universities and they are all committed to student success.”
The University of Texas at Austin issued the findings in a letter from Research Integrity Officer Robert A. Peterson to Dr. Duran: “After conducting the inquiry I have concluded that Dr. Duran’s behavior does not rise to scientific misconduct… Consequently, a formal investigation is not required.” The complete letter is attached.
“I am extraordinarily grateful for the support of my colleagues, my community, and our students during this time. Great things are happening at Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical, and I’m honored to lead such an incredible group of people,” Duran said.
Dr. Duran became the eighth president of Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical in 2014. Previously, she served Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, as vice president for academic affairs, Northern New Mexico College as dean/director of the El Rito campus, and Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute. Under her leadership, Southeast Technical has enhanced its reputation for innovation and collaboration and furthered its mission of “Education for Employment.”
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities include 24 two-year community, technical, and comprehensive colleges and seven state universities serving more than 410,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system of its kind in the United States.
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