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Academic scandals amongst universities are unfortunately quite prevalent in contemporary society. One that stands out among the rest is the 'paper class' scandal that encumbered the University of North Carolina. In this scandal, it was discovered that thousands of students, over the course of two decades, had been taking paper classes in order to benefit with inflated grades.

These phony classes were named 'paper classes' because they required little to no attendance and consisted of only one paper that would often receive high grades despite the quality of work. This heavily impacted the academic credibility of the University of North Carolina and led to an exhaustive investigation led by Kenneth Wainstein.

The objective of the investigation, spearheaded by Wainstein, was to expose the depth of this academic fraud and bring justice to the prevailing education integrity. Wainstein, a former federal prosecutor, was hired by the University to conduct an independent investigation into the scandal, which he did with resounding thoroughness.

Wainstein's investigative scope was not limited and was focused on five main areas: the development of irregular classes, the perpetuation of these classes, awareness within the University, involvement of athletic personnel, and the aftermath.

The origins of these fake classes traced back to the Department of African and Afro-American Studies. Beginning in the '90s, these classes required no attendance; instead, they necessitated a single end-of-term research paper that normally received a high grade.

Unfortunately, these bogus classes flourished within the University structure for nearly twenty years, attracting a huge roster of students, especially athletes, who were pulled in by the promise of easy high grades.

As Wainstein revealed, many within the institution were aware of these classes. However, this information was greeted mostly with indifference, owing to the corrupted system.

Athletic personnel also became involved in this web of deceit. Academic counselors for athletes deliberately steered students towards these faux classes since they offered a guaranteed boost to grade point averages.

Post the discovery of the scandal, hasty efforts were made to rectify the situation. However, the damage was already done, and trust in the University's academic integrity was severely damaged.

Wainstein's findings were extensive and alarming, revealing the breadth of the issue. He discovered that over 3,100 students, half of whom were athletes, had participated in these fake classes that greatly undermined the true essence of education.

The results were consequential, placing the faculty and the University's administration under severe scrutiny for allowing such a massive academic fraud to fester.

While Wainstein's investigation did bring to light the murky depths of this scandal, it faced harsh criticism due to its focus. Critics believed it disproportionately blamed the African and Afro-American Studies department, letting most of University off the hook.

Wainstein's report highlighted the damage that had been inflicted on the students, with some having their degrees invalidated or facing the stigma of having procured an education through fraudulent means.

Despite the bleak revelations, Wainstein's investigation concluded on an optimistic note, emphasizing that the University had made significant strides in rectifying the situation. He also asserted that employees associated with the scandal were no longer on the University's payroll.

But questions still remained regarding the role and responsibility of the University in this fiasco. Wainstein's report argued that the University's bureaucratic system had failed, with the responsibility falling on individuals who should have been supervising academic integrity.

The aftermath of the report was significant. The NCAA penalized UNC, though arguably not harshly enough. The question lingered whether the University, known for its exceptional athletics, prioritized sports over academics.

Even with Wainstein's thorough investigation, the scandal's impact on University was substantial. The University's reputation took a major hit, and trust in its academic standards was brought into question.

To summarize, the UNC 'paper class' scandal was an educational calamity that tainted the University's reputation. While Wainstein's comprehensive investigation brought distressing facts to light, it proved integral in restoring faith in the University's quest for academic integrity.

The scandal serves as a stark reminder of the need for academic honesty and the maintenance of high educational standards. It underscores the significance of credible investigations in pulling institutions out of deep-seated academic fraud.