Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The president of North Carolina’s public university system has temporarily suspended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill trustees’ authority over athletics for acting beyond their designated duties.

In a Jan. 16 memo, system president Peter Hans wrote to UNC trustees chairman John Preyer citing concerns where board members “appear to act independently of their campus’s administration in matters squarely within the responsibility of the chancellor.”

UNC Board of Trustees Chair John Preyer makes opening remarks at a full board meeting in May 2024. (Photo via Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill.)

Hans’ memo, first reported Friday by The Assembly and obtained by WRAL TV in Raleigh, also stated unilateral action by trustee members risk “blurring the lines of actual and apparent authority when these athletic departments negotiate business transactions with third parties” that could include past, current and future employees.

That letter came after trustees had criticized the firing of football coach Mack Brown followed by involvement in the hiring of six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick as Brown’s successor. There has also been the trustees’ push last spring to audit the athletics department while questioning data provided by athletic director Bubba Cunningham, though chancellor Lee Roberts publicly backed Cunningham’s leadership.

Additionally, trustees had been vocal in issues of conference affiliation, including coming out publicly against the Atlantic Coast Conference’s eventual 2023 vote in favor of expansion.

Typically, trustees approve contracts for coaches and other athletics officials. But Hans’ letter says trustees will not play any role in negotiating, reviewing or approving such actions, with approvals now going to Hans’ office. Hans also “encouraged” the board to “focus its continued efforts on the important substantive topics well within its responsibility for oversight and providing advice” to Roberts.

 

 

 

Related Stories
‹
Former N.C. House Representative Dr. Kristin Baker Appointed to UNC Board of Trustees
The UNC System's Board of Governors approved Dr. Kristin Baker of Cabarrus County during its meeting on May 21, selecting the psychiatrist to fill the seat left by John Preyer's resignation.
UNC Trustees Push Back on Proposed Tuition Increase, Ask For Higher Hikes on Out-Of-State Students
The UNC Board of Trustees balked at an initial proposal to consider increasing undergraduate tuition for the first time in nine years.
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.
UNC System Chooses Kenan-Flagler Alum, Former Domino's CEO as Latest UNC-Chapel Hill Trustee
Ritch Allison — who was formally selected Thursday by the UNC System — will fill the Board of Trustees seat left vacant by Dave Boliek.
Board of Governors Set Friday Meeting to Elect New UNC Chancellor
The search for the next permanent UNC chancellor is coming to a close, as the UNC Board of Governors will hold a special meeting on Friday.
UNC System Replaces Diversity Policy, President Preaches Institutional Neutrality
The UNC System repealed its policy on diversity and inclusion on Thursday, which will scale back such such efforts on campuses statewide.
UNC Trustees Divert DEI Funding, Voice Athletics Concerns During Budget Talks
Ahead of the consideration of the university’s proposed budget for 2024-25, the UNC Board of Trustees voted on Monday to move all funding for diversity, equity and inclusion-specific programs to the campus’ public safety efforts. The decision to divert $2.3 million from DEI efforts came during a specially-called meeting of the board and its budget, […]
'Ready to Roll Up My Sleeves': UNC Interim Chancellor Shares Early Impressions On the Job
UNC Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts spoke with the media on Thursday for the first time since being named to the role in December.
'One of the Greatest Missed Opportunities': David Glenn on the ACC, College Sports, and Money
Will the ACC expand or contract? What factors are relevant? Do academics really matter? Is there a better solution? David Glenn weighs in.
On Air Today: Elle Kehres on UNC's Delegation of Power
The Hill's Brighton McConnell and Elle Kehres discuss Thursday's UNC Board of Trustees meeting, where university leadership discussed how authority is delegated. The report is part of a UNC System review and Kehres brings the amendments proposed by trustees.
›