An investigation, led by historian Dr Ronan Fanning, into the American lecturer who misled UCD about his qualifications, is expected to be sharply critical of vetting procedures in the case.
Dr Fanning and two other academics have been examining the personnel files of Mr Gary Santry who resigned recently as a senior lecturer in the UCD Smurfit Business School. His report will be presented to the college's governing body next Tuesday.
It is understood Mr Santry apologised to the college registrar, Dr Caroline Hussey, in the last fortnight for the upset and embarrassment he had caused. He has since left for the US.
Dr Fanning, who declined to comment yesterday when contacted by The Irish Times, is expected to recommend a tightening of all procedures governing senior appointments at the college.
Dr Fanning has spent several days examining the files in the case, but has still to interview some senior figures at the Smurfit Business School. Dr Fanning is seen as a close associate of the college's president, Dr Art Cosgrove.
His inquiry comes amid tensions between staff at the school based in Carysfort, Blackrock, and the main college in Belfield. Some Belfield academics resent the freedom enjoyed by the business school. But others point out that the business school is not independent and is linked to UCD's commerce faculty.
The school was recently ranked 7th in Europe for business schools by the Financial Times. There is growing concern its position may be downgraded next year on foot of the controversy.
Mr Santry claimed to have an MBA from Notre Dame university and an MA and PhD from Southern Methodist University, Texas. But UCD believes he did not receive these qualifications. He also won a teaching award from UCD recently.
During the investigation tensions have emerged between the business school and UCD's personnel section. Some academics in the school believe personnel should be ultimately responsible for checking qualifications. Until now, there has been no tradition in UCD of checking CVs.
The Santry case is the latest damaging setback for the commerce faculty. Last July it was revealed that members of the faculty received payments of over £2 million which were not covered by university legislation or approved by the Minister for Education, according to a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General. The university made the payments to staff between 1996 and 1998, mainly for correcting papers, administering exams and directing courses. The matter was later discussed by the Committee of Public Accounts.
Almost half the payments were made through a subsidiary company which offered UCD commerce courses to students overseas.
Asked to explain why the payments were made, UCD's accounting officer said: "It is a traditional and long-accepted practice for universities to make payments for work over and above normal duties."