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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill today finished releasing records to fully comply with a North Carolina Superior Court order and related settlement agreement (https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/?p=3973) with N.C. media organizations in a lawsuit about public records and the NCAA investigation of the University’s football program.

In compliance with Judge Howard E. Manning Jr.’s order, the University has re-released and posted online its September 2011 response to the NCAA’s notice of allegations, including accompanying exhibits, together with certain reinstatement requests previously submitted to the NCAA. The document production complies with the court order, which details the information the court has required be made public in this case and the information that the court said should remain confidential under applicable laws.

Following are the new postings on this website:

The University also provided to attorneys for the media plaintiffs in the lawsuit transcripts of student-athlete interviews that were exhibits to the University’s response to the NCAA’s notice of allegations. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the media plaintiffs agreed not to post those transcripts online, but may report from the records. Those media outlets also pledged in the settlement agreement not to assist any third parties in gaining access to the transcripts.

The NCAA had all of the records released today before University representatives met with the NCAA Committee on Infractions on Oct. 28, 2011, and before the University received the NCAA’s ruling about violations on March 12, 2012.

Under the settlement agreement, the University will pay $45,000, a portion of the plaintiff’s attorney fees. Both parties agreed not to appeal.

Statements

Chancellor Holden Thorp:

“We understand the public’s interest in this case, but from the very beginning, the University’s position has been based on the principle that we have a responsibility to protect the privacy rights of all students, not just student-athletes. That position has nothing to do with the content of the documents associated with the NCAA investigation.”

Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham:

“The University previously provided all of the documents released today to the NCAA staff before the Committee on Infractions hearing in October 2011 and the NCAA’s ruling in March 2012. We are strictly complying with the NCAA’s sanctions.

Chancellor Thorp and I agree that the University’s position in this public records lawsuit was important because of our commitment to fairness for all students. At the same time, I want the University community, our alumni and the public to know that the Department of Athletics is completely committed to sustaining our traditions of both academic accomplishments and athletic success.”

Background

The University previously posted the response to the notice of allegations and accompanying exhibits online with redactions in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the State Personnel Act and the North Carolina Public Records Law. Refer to https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/?p=22377, Sept. 19, 2011 and updated Sept. 20, 2011.

Other University statements, record releases related to the lawsuit

https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/?p=21780 (Oct. 26, 2012)

https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/?p=21603 (Aug. 9, 2012)

https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/?p=21566 (July 11, 2012)

https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/?p=22161 (May 12, 2011)

https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/?p=22128 (April 19, 2011)

https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/?p=23276 (Oct. 28, 2010)

News Services contact: Karen Moon, (919) 962-8595, karen_moon@unc.edu

 

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