"When the University retained Mr. Wainstein to conduct an independent investigation in February 2014, he was instructed in May 2014 to share relevant information directly and confidentially with the NCAA. The University sent Wainstein’s October 2014 report to the NCAA and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), our regional accrediting agency."
Two years later, questions are now (unofficially) arising about the relationship between the Wainstein investigation and the current NCAA case.
The following is a timeline of publicly-known events or actions involving Kenneth Wainstein's investigation that may be pertinent to or reveal information about NCAA activities during that timeframe (January to October 2014).
January 2014
Early January, 2014
NCAA does not have a pending case against UNC-CH. Prior case was closed in March 2012, and NCAA enforcement staff affirmed in September 2013, no new allegations were being considered.
After North Carolina Orange County Jim Woodall negotiated an offer from Dr. Julius Nyang'oro's legal team to dismiss criminal fraud charges in exchange for Nyang'oro's cooperation with a new, independent investigation by the university, UNC system General Counsel, Thomas Shanahan, begins search for an independent investigator, making inquiries at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft for Kenneth Wainstein and Pepper/Hamilton (Louis Freeh) [Link]
February 2014
Wednesday, February 21st, 2014
UNC system president Tom Ross and UNC-CH Chancellor Carol Folt announce the hiring of Kenneth Wainstein. [Link]
Wednesday, February 21st, 2014
UNC-CH UNC Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, Vince Ille, emails announcement to NCAA Associate Director of Enforcement, Mike Zonder. [Link]
March 2014
Tuesday, March 4th 2014
Orange County Distriction Attorney Jim Woodall says Deborah Crowder won't be charged; will cooperate with Kenneth Wainstein. [Link]
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
Wainstein met with Deborah Crowder [Link]
March 27th, 2014
UNC-CH UNC Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, Vince Ille, emails Mike Zonder, NCAA Associate Director of Enforcement with subject Letter to NCAA. Content unknown. Zonder out of office until 3/28 [Link]
April 2014
Wednesday, April 9th, 2014
UNC-CH UNC Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, Vince Ille, shares Chancellor Folt's message with Mike Zonder, NCAA Associate Director of Enforcement. [Link]
Tuesday, April 15th, 2014
NCAA Division I Legislative Council issues clarification of academic misconduct rules [Link]
Monday, April 21st, 2014
Select UNC employees receive Document Preservation Notice in conjunction with Wainstein's investigation. [Link]
Monday, April 21st, 2014
Wainstein met with Mary Willingham
Thursday, April 24th, 2014
23 UNC-CH Faculty submit open letter to Chancellor Folt. [Link]
Indefinite, Late April
Rumor: UNC officials allegedly learn of NCAA Enforcement staff contact with Kenneth Wainstein [Link]
May 2014
Tuesday, May 13th, 2014
UNC-CH Chancellor Carol Folt letter to the N&O Editor [Link]
Tuesday, May 20th, 2014
Congressmen Tony Cardenas and Elijah Cummings on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform send letter to NCAA President Mark Emmert requesting information about the NCAA’s oversight of the academic preparation of student-athletes at its member colleges and universities. [Link]
Wednesday, May 28th, 2014
Kenneth Wainstein letter to Rick Evrard re. NCAA [Link]
June 2014
Monday, June 2nd, 2014
Letter from NCAA VP Enforcement Jonathan Duncan to UNC counsel Rick Evrard about information arising from Wainstein's investigation [Link]
June 6th, 2014
Attorney for Dr. Julius Nyang'oro confirms the former AFAM Department Chair has interviewed with Wainstein and is agreeing to cooperate with investigation [Link]
Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
Message from Chancellor Folt to the Carolina Community [Link]
Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
Faculty Athletic Committee (FAC) statement [Link]
June 16th, 2014
UNC-CH Faculty Athletic Committee (FAC) Chair, Joy Renner, email elaborating on June 10th statement [Link pg 1] [Link pg 2]
Friday, June 20th, 2014
Wainstein briefs status of investigation to UNC-CH Board of Trustees and UNC Board of Governors [Link] [Transcript]
Monday, June 30th, 2014
NCAA issues press release that it has "reopened its investigation" of UNC [Link]
Monday, June 30th, 2014
UNC-CH Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham announces receipt of "verbal notice of inquiry" that the NCAA will "reopen its 2011 examination of academic irregularities." [Link]
Monday, June 30th, 2014
Wainstein releases statement: "President Tom Ross and Chancellor Carol Folt asked that I meet with the N.C.A.A. enforcement staff and provide them with any information from our ongoing investigation that potentially falls within the N.C.A.A.’s regulatory jurisdiction,” [Link]
July 2014
Thursday, July 3rd, 2014
UNC is notified by Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall dismissing charges against Dr. Julius Nyang'oro contingent on Nyang'oro's continued cooperation with Wainstein investigation. [Link]
August 2014
September 2014
October 2014
Monday, October 20th, 2014
UNC-CH Chancellor Carol Folt announces that the Report from the Wainstein investigation will be released on October 22nd. [Link]
Monday, October 20th, 2014
University statement on the impending release of the Wainstein investigation findings. [Link]
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014
University press release on the results of the Wainstein investigation. [Link]
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014
Press conference transcript of UNC president Tom Ross and UNC-CH Chancellor Carol Folt remarks on the release of the Wainstein Report. [Link]
Publicly-released correspondence from UNC to various NCAA officials
during the post-Wainstein period
- October 1st, 2015 Letter from Rick Evrard to VP of Enforcement Jon Solomon [Link]
- November 9th, 2015 Letter from Rick Evrard to NCAA Deputy General Counsel Naima Stevenson [Link]
- January 17th, 2016 Letter from Rick Evrard to Directory of Enforcement Tom Hosty [Link]
- August 1st, 2016 UNC Response to the Amended Notice of Allegations [Link]
- October 14th, 2016 Letter from Rick Evrard to Chief Hearing Officer Greg Sankey [Link]
- October 17th, 2016 Letter from Rick Evrard to Director of Enforcement Tom Hosty [Link
- October 19th, 2016 Letter from Rick Evrard to OCOI Managing Director Joel McGormley [Link]
- December 21st, 2016 Letter from Rick Evrard to Committee on Infractions Chair Greg Sankey [Link]
