MIT dean resigns over false credentials

Yesterday, while checking up on current events on cnn.com, I came across an article whose headline read, “MIT dean resigns in lying scandal”. The article details how 28 years ago the current dean of admissions for MIT, Marilee Jones, lied on her resume about receiving degrees from three different colleges that she never attended. After leading the recruitment of women to MIT, one of the most prestigious schools in the US, and then later earning the position of dean of admissions, it had been brought to the school’s attention that her credentials were questionable. Thus, the university investigated and found that Jones had lied on her resume. With that said, it makes me wonder if Marilee Jones should have stepped as dean of admissions. She played a crucial role in helping the development of MIT. She received awards like the “MIT Excellence Award for Leading Change”, MIT’s highest award for administrators, and the “Gordon Y Billard Award”, which is given for “ special service of outstanding merit.” Still, I believe that Jones’ only choice was to resign.
Jones had to resign because she had many opportunities to notify the university of her false credentials on her resume. Jones said, “I misrepresented my academic degrees when I first applied to MIT 28 years ago and did not have the courage to correct my resume when I applied for my current job or at any time since” (cnn.com). The longer she kept this secret, the worse her punishment was going to be. Taking responsibility for one’s actions shows growth and maturity, and one would think a woman of her status would know better. But she showed that she lacked honesty, which I believe is a crucial attribute to being successful and respected. Who knows if Jones would have ever admitted that she lied on her resume if she had not been caught?
Additionally, Marilee Jones jeopardized the integrity of MIT. How does it make MIT, one of the most prestigious schools in the country, look if they hire someone who lies on their resume. Her lie would not only affect herself, but also everyone associated with MIT because his or her integrity would be at risk. Dean of Undergraduate education of the Cambridge school notes, “ the integrity of this institute is our highest priority, and we cannot tolerate this kind of behavior” (cnn.com). It is ironic too because she has been a major proponent of MIT for students “lowering the flame” concerning their transcripts for college admissions. She aimed at making the college admissions process less stressful for students. But she could not even follow her won advice and had succumbed to the pressure.
Marilee Jones is a woman who has helped make monumental changes at MIT, but all her credibility and success has been compromised because she was afraid to take responsibility for her actions.