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Math prof earns support

Math whizzes have united over something other than the Pythagorean theorem.

Mathematicians from around the globe have joined with University of Manitoba professor Gabor Lukacs to protest the PhD granted to a student who failed the final qualifying examination twice due to exam anxiety.

Despite controversy, the student was granted his degree on the basis that he presented an exemplary thesis and passed two out of three qualifying exams, according to an official statement released by Jay Doering, dean of graduate studies at U of M, and Mark Whitmore, dean of science.

The problem, according to Lukacs, is more than just granting an undeserved degree. He said it’s about preserving the University’s academic integrity.

“The administration’s conduct in this case jeopardizes the […] credibility of the U of M, and it is completely unfair to the hard-working students and faculty at the University who come under a cloud of suspicion as a result of these decisions,” Lukacs said.

Eighty-six signatures from math academics and supporters worldwide accompanied a letter of protest sent to the president of the University.

“[The signatures] are [from] mathematicians who are concerned about what happened, some of them I do not even know personally. A few colleagues started the letter and it spread quite quickly on the net,” Lukacs said.

He added that he felt the only way to ratify the problem would be to have the student’s degree revoked, claiming it would “do justice for the university community and remove this cloud of suspicion.”

The University president and administration have not wavered on their decision to grant the student the degree.

“[The student] provided detailed documentation from a qualified psychologist maintaining that the student suffered from ‘severe, disabling exam anxiety,’” the University indicated in a statement. “Under the Manitoba Human Rights Code, the University was obligated to accommodate this proven, professionally-diagnosed disability.”

“You’ll find that the president emphasizes our full support for the student and celebrates the student’s success in achieving his graduate doctoral degree,” John Danakas, director of media relations for the U of M, said.

The issue of whether or not the degree will stand is being brought before the courts on Jan. 20, 2011.

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