Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill must pay $25,000 and its trustees must affirm a commitment to follow the state’s open-meeting laws as part of a settlement that dismissed a lawsuit over the board’s handling of athletics discussions.

David McKenzie, a lawyer in Wake County, had filed a complaint in May in Orange County Superior Court accusing trustees of violating open-meetings laws in previous private-session discussions tied to athletics budgets. It came as UNC trustees weighed in on athletics to highlight growing national tensions with schools jumping from league to league seeking more money tied to TV deals in a football-driven market.

McKenzie told WRAL of Raleigh that he was “satisfied” by the settlement, which had him agree to dismiss the lawsuit and the university would pay $25,000 to cover McKenzie’s expenses and legal costs.

“If they’re gonna take the public’s money, they’ve got to do things in public,” McKenzie told The News & Observer of Raleigh. “And then those times that they don’t, they may be on the hook for attorneys’ fees.”

McKenzie’s original complaint came as trustees indicated they would discuss the UNC athletics budget in closed session at a coming meeting, as well as referencing private-session discussions on athletics matters in November. That came amid comments questioning the financial picture under the leadership of athletics director Bubba Cunningham, although UNC’s interim chancellor Lee Roberts publicly backed Cunningham in a public pushback against the trustees.

A judge granted multiple temporary restraining issues against UNC’s trustees going into closed session for athletics financial discussions that could include future conference alignment.

 

Featured photo via Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill.

Related Stories
‹
Former UNC Provost Sues Board of Trustees Over 'Pattern' of Closed Session Violations
Chris Clemens, a former provost of UNC, is suing the university and its Board of Trustees over allegedly violating open meeting laws.
Art’s Angle: The Latest Mess
The storm brewing around Carolina football is familiar in some ways, but potentially more volatile than others we’ve experienced.
Chansky's Notebook: Overspending
There has been a change of leadership with UNC's Board of Trustees, but it appears they've gone from one spendthrift to another.
Parker, Teague Dorms Set for Replacement in UNC's Housing Renewal; BOT Approves Initial Funds
As UNC revamps its on-campus housing to build more units and update residence halls, Parker and Teague are set to be town down for a new dorm.
Budget Cuts, Tenure Practices and A Cricket Arena: Highlights of the July 2025 UNC Trustees Meeting
The UNC Board of Trustees held its first meetings of the new academic year on Wednesday and Thursday, gathering to swear in several members and discuss key business items.
UNC Leaders Propose An Estimated $70 Million in Budget Cuts Amid Federal Funding 'Uncertainty'
Facing funding cuts from both the state and federal governments, UNC administrators said they aim to trim $70 million from the budget.
William ‘Brian’ Allen Rounds Out 2025-2027 UNC Board of Trustees with Appointment
Construction company president William "Brian" Allen will serve the two remaining years of a seat on the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees.
'No Response': UNC's AAUP President on Lack of Transparency from Trustees on Tenure Delay
After an unexplained delay in the tenure approval for 33 faculty this spring, UNC professors are saying the trustees have lost their trust.
UNC Trustees Move Forward With Plans to Construct On-Campus New Residence Hall
The UNC Board of Trustees approved requests for a construction manager and site selection for "Residence Hall 1," the first new residence hall on UNC's campus since 2006.
'Turn Over Every Rock': UNC Athletics Eyeing Enhanced Football Gameday Experience
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham and chief revenue officer Rick Barakat presented several potential enhancements to both Kenan Stadium and the football program’s gameday presentation to the university’s Board of Trustees Wednesday. Below are key takeaways from the presentation: Sponsorships Barakat and Cunningham also brought forth to the Board new developments with regard to UNC’s […]
›