UNC Chancellor Carol Folt is asking for trust from the campus community in the wake of rape allegations made by a student at the Chapel Hill campus this week.

“As chancellor, nothing matters more to me than the safety and well-being of our campus community and how our University responds to these issues and concerns,” Folt wrote in an open letter.

The message is in response to allegations made by UNC sophomore Delaney Robinson earlier this week. Robinson publicly claimed that she was raped by a UNC football player on Valentine’s Day on campus. Robinson said she came forward because she was frustrated with how the investigation was being handled by UNC Police and the local District Attorney’s Office.

Folt wrote that this topic was “very difficult but important” and that it “matters to us every day. We take every allegation extremely seriously.”

Folt continued, “we must be fair to all of the individuals involved and not rush to judgment – regardless of how that approach and the time it takes might be viewed in the court of public opinion.”

Robinson took out warrants for misdemeanor charges herself this week against her alleged attacker – UNC linebacker Allen Artis – felony warrants must come from the DA’s Office or a grand jury. Artis turned himself into authorities at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on the misdemeanor charges of assault and sexual battery. Robinson’s attorney Denise Branch said the self-sworn warrants were taken out because she had been told by the DA’s Office that no charges were coming from this investigation.

Branch quoted from an e-mail she said she received from a member of the DA’s Office in early August.

“UNC DPS has made clear their determination the evidence does not support criminal charges and our review of the investigation does not lead us to advise or otherwise take action to the contrary.”

District Attorney Jim Woodall, however, said he had confirmed with UNC officials that the investigation was still open and active.

“The lead investigator took some investigative steps and consulted with our office on August 26,” Woodall told WCHL in an interview on Tuesday. “And then he actually went to a judge on a matter on August 29 concerning this case.”

Woodall said that meant felony charges were still possible in the case. But he added because alcohol was involved – Robinson admitted to drinking while underage the night of the alleged attack – that could complicate the investigation because of the laws regarding rape in North Carolina.

Folt wrote in her Friday correspondence that, “Sometimes, to get it right takes longer than anticipated.”

Other than the length of the investigation, Robinson’s attorney also questioned the reliability of the university’s new Title IX policy rolled out over the last two years in an effort to better serve sexual assault victims.

Folt responded, “Inevitably, some will walk away from the process disagreeing with the outcome. That does not reflect in any way on the integrity of our employees or our process.”

Folt continued, “The comprehensive changes we made in 2014 included more clearly defining consent, streamlining and better publicizing reporting options, adding confidential resources, and changing the adjudication procedures.”

Branch criticized the Title IX process saying, “The Title IX office has refused to render a decision in this case, despite concluding their investigation nearly three months ago.”

Addressing results of the new system, Folt said it had been “promising – we are encouraged by an increase in reporting.”

Folt added, “Our Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office reports a 52 percent increase in formal investigations of sexual assault and a 156 percent increase in requests for accommodations, resources and other support between 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.”

Folt again commended the university’s Title IX office, Student Affairs and Department of Public Safety officials.

“They are outstanding professionals who care deeply about our students,
faculty and staff.”

Folt ended the letter saying, “We are all dedicated to prevention, safety, treating people with compassion and respect, achieving fair outcomes and continuing to do everything possible to getting these processes right.”

Robinson is now a sophomore at UNC and said on Tuesday she intended to stay at the university and never truly considered transferring.

Artis, meanwhile, is out of custody on a $5,000 unsecured bond and has a September 29 court date to face the two misdemeanor charges. Again, the DA’s Office says the investigation is ongoing and felony charges may be a possibility. Artis has been suspended from the football team, per team policy when a player is facing misdemeanor charges.

More information on resources available to victims of sexual assault on UNC’s campus is available here.

Read the full letter from Folt below:

Dear Carolina Community:

I am writing today to share my thoughts about a very difficult but important topic that has been on everyone’s minds this week: sexual assault and sexual violence.

As chancellor, nothing matters more to me than the safety and well-being of our campus community and how our University responds to these issues and your concerns. In every situation, we must be fair to all of the individuals involved and not rush to judgment – regardless of how that approach and the time it takes might be viewed in the court of public opinion.

I understand that people want me to speak out whenever there is an incident of public interest, but I cannot comment on specific cases as I do not want to bias or jeopardize the fairness of the process. This topic matters to us every day. We take every allegation extremely seriously. If we ever find shortcomings or problems, we will admit to them and fix them. Your feedback is helpful. We want people to feel empowered to share opinions and to be engaged in a thoughtful and respectful way.

The issues involved in sexual assault are challenging. Inevitably, some will walk away from the process disagreeing with the outcome. That does not reflect in any way on the integrity of our employees or our process.

We are committed to ensuring every step of our policy and procedures is correctly followed. Sometimes, to get it right takes longer than anticipated. But in the end, a respectful, reliable and equitable investigation must be the result. I want to reassure you that Carolina follows the highest standards based on federal law and guidance. The comprehensive changes we made in 2014 included more clearly defining consent, streamlining and better publicizing reporting options, adding confidential resources, and changing the adjudication procedures. We added resources to provide compassionate care and accommodations for those who need support with their day-to-day logistics, academics or work. For details, please visit http://safe.unc.edu.

The results so far are promising – we are encouraged by an increase in reporting. This trend suggests that our education, prevention and awareness programming is taking root and that our community members feel more comfortable coming forward. We also know they expect to be treated fairly. Our Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office reports a 52 percent increase in formal investigations of sexual assault and a 156 percent increase in requests for accommodations, resources and other support between 2013-14 and 2014-15.

I have confidence in the people responsible for our campus process, including our Title IX Office, Student Affairs and the Department of Public Safety. They are outstanding professionals who care deeply about our students, faculty and staff. We are all dedicated to prevention, safety, treating people with compassion and respect, achieving fair outcomes and continuing to do everything possible to getting these processes right.

Sincerely,

Carol L. Folt

Chancellor