(Chapel Hill, N.C. – May 25, 2017) – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has released its response to the NCAA’s third notice of allegations resulting from the joint investigation of past academic irregularities.

The response, submitted May 16, was posted on the Carolina Commitment website<https://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/> after a review to protect privacy rights. Also posted was a public copy of exhibits accompanying the response and recent correspondence to and from the NCAA in response to public records requests.

“We are prepared and look forward to presenting our case to the Committee on Infractions,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt. “Bringing closure to this process will be an important step for our University. The expansive reforms and initiatives now in place at Carolina reflect the academic values of a community that I am proud to lead.”

“We sent the NCAA a full and detailed response,” said Bubba Cunningham, director of athletics. “Our reply to each allegation is based on the NCAA’s constitution and member-adopted bylaws. We expect the Committee on Infractions to consistently apply those bylaws as the case moves forward.”

Last October, the University participated in a procedural hearing before the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions. Following the hearing, the panel requested the NCAA’s enforcement staff to revisit the second notice of allegations<https://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/unc-chapel-hill-posts-response-to-ncaas-amended-notice-of-allegations/> issued in April 2016. The enforcement staff issued its third notice of allegations<https://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/carolina-comments-on-releases-ncaas-third-notice-of-allegations/> in December 2016.

The University received the NCAA’s first notice of allegations<https://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/unc-chapel-hill-releases-ncaa-notice-of-allegations/> in May 2015. The NCAA notified the University in June 2014 that it would reopen its original 2011 examination of the past academic irregularities. The case was paused in August 2015 when the University notified the NCAA it had identified new information requiring further review<https://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/unc-chapel-hill-reports-new-information-to-ncaa/>.

The next steps in the NCAA’s process for the University include a hearing before the Committee on Infractions scheduled later this summer. The committee typically issues a report several weeks after the hearing.

Under the leadership of Folt, who took office in 2013, Carolina has been extraordinarily proactive in accepting all responsibility for its past, working diligently to get to the bottom of these issues, restoring trust, and implementing more than 70 wide-ranging reforms and initiatives<https://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/actions-and-initiatives/>.

In 2016, the University demonstrated compliance with all academic accreditation principles and standards<https://carolinacommitment.unc.edu/message-from-chancellor-folt-carolina-off-probation/> of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) following a yearlong probation.

NCAA Bylaw 19.03.01 requires that all infractions-related information remain confidential throughout the infractions process. Consistent with NCAA protocol, University officials will not comment on details about the case until it is completed.

-Carolina-

About the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a global higher education leader known for innovative teaching, research and public service. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best value for academic quality in U.S. public higher education. Now in its third century, the University offers 77 bachelor’s, 113 master’s, 68 doctorate and seven professional degree programs through 14 schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. Every day, faculty, staff and students shape their teaching, research and public service to meet North Carolina’s most pressing needs in every region and all 100 counties. Carolina’s more than 318,000 alumni live in all 50 states and 157 countries. More than 167,000 live in North Carolina.

Issued by: Joel Curran, vice chancellor for communications
Office of Communications Contact: (919) 445-8555, mediarelations@unc.edu<mailto:mediarelations@unc.edu>