Degree of Doubt Persists - 2nd Update

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a step back from its coverage of the "Degree of Doubt" (seems snappier than DegreeGate or HeatherGate, but entries are still being accepted) with an editorial.

It seeks to keep the fire stoked through such observations as:

Although university records showed she was 22 credits short in the 48-credit-hour program, R. Stephen Sears, dean of the school's College of Business and Economics, reported that his school's records indicated (Heather) Bresch met all requirements. But on Tuesday, Provost Gerald Lang -- WVU's chief academic officer -- said those records don't even exist. Not only that, he said no other students have reported problems with their records since the Post-Gazette's first report last month.

MetroNews, meanwhile, quizzed Gov. Joe Manchin on the situation.

"We're all anxious for the facts to come out and I told them bring in Scotland Yards. Do whatever you have to, investigate, do it all, do it as quickly as possible," he told Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval. Audio here.

Update: The Post-Gazette offers yet another new wrinkle to the story: "West Virginia University President Mike Garrison's chief of staff directed the university's initial investigation into whether West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter earned an M.B.A degree at the university, according to e-mails."

Update II: West Virginia Media has interviewed R. Stephen Sears, dean of WVU's business school and a key figure in the story, for its weekend Decision Makers program. Part of the Q&A has already been posted online.