UNC Truth Battle – part 1

Since August 18, I have been in a battle with leaders of the University of North Carolina system over secret meetings and a lack of institutional control over intercollegiate athletics at UNC Chapel Hill.

Below is my initial email to Laura Luger, Vice President and General Counsel of the UNC system.

From: Andrew Payne
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 2:17 PM
To: Laura B. Luger
Cc: Jane Stancill

Subject: Non-public Board of Governors meeting

Ms. Luger:
Good afternoon. My name is Andrew Payne, a citizen of Wake County and a former member of the BOG. I read with dismay the article “New UNC Board learns ropes in private ‘retreat’” in the Thursday August 18, 2011 edition of The News and Observer.

After reading the article and speaking with General Administration staff – The University clearly and blatantly violated NC Open Meetings Law. And clearly acted in an unethical way. I passionately love our University and have served it with grand humility. This is a time when public confidence in the University should be restored, not deteriorated.

Unfortunately, in this case, the public must stand up for openness and transparency. To that end, please provide me with the following:

1. All materials related to this “private retreat.” Including but not limited too: retreat announcements, retreat agendas, retreat menus, retreat rosters

2. All presentation materials including but not limited to PowerPoint slides, handouts, worksheets, booklets, pamphlets

3. A detailed roster of Board members present.

4. Any communications between you and University staff, University leadership and the BOG (either members or officers) declaring that this retreat was not subject to NC Open Meeting Laws.

Because all of this material is as you describe it – of a social nature – it contains no confidential information and should be release to me immediately. I will be happy to pay for any copying, printing or shipping costs associated with gathering this material.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.

I have copied this email to Jane Stancill, the author of The News and Observer article.

Sincerely, Andrew Payne