CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ― North Carolina is preparing for the next step toward a long-awaited resolution in the multi-year case centered around its academic fraud scandal.
The school and individuals named for violations have 90 days to respond now that they finally know what NCAA charges they face. It’s the next procedural deadline, though not one set in stone.
UNC was near its August response deadline to the first Notice of Allegations (NOA) used to specify violations when it reported additional information to the NCAA for review. That paused the process until Monday, when the NCAA sent a revised notice that still contains five serious charges ― including lack of institutional control ― tied to irregular courses in an academic department popular with athletes.
UNC officials had hoped for resolution by spring. Now they’re back on the clock.
“As far as speculating on time, I’ve been off by a year so far, so I’m not sure I’m a very good one to speculate on that,” athletic director Bubba Cunningham said this week. “We have 90 days to respond, as does everyone else named in the amended notice. I would think the 90 days would probably be a good time frame to use for a response.”
From there, the NCAA enforcement staff has 60 days to respond. That would lead to a hearing with an infractions committee panel followed by a ruling weeks to months later, a timeline that could push into 2017.
But Mississippi offers recent proof that the process can hit a snag.
