An extensive report Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal revealed that in 2013 the Auburn athletic department influenced top administrators to overrule the university curriculum review committee's vote to eliminate a public administration class that was not considered to be fulfilling the school's academic mission.
Based on internal documents obtained by The Journal, top athletic officials offered to use athletic department funds to help pay professors and staff instead.
Of the 111 students majoring in public administration in the fall of 2013, 51% were student-athletes. Among those student-athletes were star football players, including starting quarterback Nick Marshall, who helped lead the Tigers to an SEC title and a spot in the national title game.