(CHAPEL HILL) -- The UNC Board of Trustees learned the details Thursday of a 9-month investigation into fraud in the Department of African and Afro-American studies. The problems in the Department of African and Afro-American studies came to light during the investigation into UNC athletics.

"Evidence showed that students completed work and received grades but no faculty member appeared to have supervised the courses or graded the work.  Grade roles were submitted with faculty signatures that were unauthorized," said Karen Gil, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Chancellor Holden Thorp called the evidence of academic fraud a kick in the gut for the University of North Carolina. "This is a difficult episode for the University and a painful chapter to have to discuss and I know that you're all as deeply troubled as I am, as disturbed as I am, as angry as I am that these things could have happened," said Thorp.

Thorp added that the problems date back at least four years, and were limited to two employees who no longer work at UNC. The university has turned over its findings to the State Bureau of Investigation and is cooperating with a criminal investigation.