Press Release sent to Cincinnati Media 2:15pm Friday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 11, 2009

Group of UC students, alumni to protest conferment of honorary degree on former university trustee Phillip R. Cox

CINCINNATI, OH ------ One day before a commencement ceremony at the University of Cincinnati that will confer an honorary doctorate degree on Phillip R. Cox, a group of students and alumni are demanding the school halt the controversial award.

Citing evidence that Mr. Cox is a proven academic fraud, the group says that UC’s statement that Mr. Cox exemplifies the highest purposes and ideals of the university is damaging to the reputation of the school, and by extension, current students and alumni.

The group’s website, found at http://ucacademicfraud.blogspot.com contains video evidence and links that prove Mr. Cox has fraudulently claimed to have earned a dual major at Xavier University, a masters in psychology, and a law degree from the University of Michigan.

“This isn’t about Phil Cox, that’s a settled issue. It’s a question of whether UC officials are making the right decision on behalf of their students and alumni,” said group spokesman Brian Burgess. “At the very least, our group will make open records requests for documents related to the decision to award this honorary degree.”

The group is asking fellow students and alumni to use the website contact form to join the group and lend additional voices to the effort protesting the University’s decision to award a degree to Mr. Cox.

The following evidence and documents are available to members of the media upon request:

1. Nine videos of introductions of Mr. Cox which include fraudulent academic claims, where Mr. Cox was in the audience and took the podium immediately thereafter
2. Eight newspaper articles or brochures where Mr. Cox claims at least one degree from Xavier University and/or University of Michigan Law School
3. A letter signed by Mr. Cox stating that he is a former Secret Service agent
4. A cease-and-desist letter from an the accrediting body of Certified Financial Planners demanding that Mr. Cox stop using the CFP designation, as he had not earned it
5. A document where Mr. Cox falsely claimed to be a CFP
6. Several newspaper articles or other announcements claiming that Mr. Cox was a member of the Washington Redskins and/or the United States Secret Service

Again, the case against Mr. Cox is rock-solid. The real questions should be directed at the University of Cincinnati, which either failed to do due diligence or willfully ignored the facts and lowered the school’s ethical standards.

“If UC goes forward with their plans, they are sending a message to current students that it’s OK to lie about your qualifications and academic achievements,” said Burgess.

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