Carnegie Mellon University has rescinded a master's degree awarded in 2004 that led to the resignation of the dean of the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management.

Acting on the recommendations of an internal review committee, the Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to rescind the degree, which contained transfer and independent study credits that far exceeded university limits.

The report placed blame for the degree on Dean Mark Wessel, alleging that he bent school rules in hopes that the recipient of the degree would take action to benefit the Heinz School.

"The sole reason the dean took this action was that he believed that [the student]'s experience and qualifications could be valuable to the Heinz School in its expansion efforts at a time of fiscal stress in the school. Indeed, the dean understood that the degree was proposed by [the student] because [the student] felt it would enhance [the student]'s credibilities in [the student]'s endeavors to market the Heinz School."

Citing federal privacy rules, spokesman Ken Walters declined to comment further on the student's identity or whether the student took any actions to raise funds for or promote the Heinz School. The specific master's degree field also was not provided.

The report noted that neither Mr. Wessel nor any other university employees received any personal benefit from the awarding of the degree.

The committee also recommended that because "this was a singular error by a person of otherwise strong integrity," Mr. Wessel should remain a member of the Heinz School faculty. Since he stepped down from the deanship in August, he has held the title of lecturer.

In the report, the committee recommends that the student should be offered the opportunity to complete the credits required for the degree.