Gameday: A Whistle-Blower's Story of the ...

Conclusion

In May 2014, Mary resigned from her position and sued UNC claiming she was discriminated and retaliated against for being a whistle-blower[10]. Additionally, Mary said the UNC violated her whistle-blower protection rights, which are defined in the North Carolina Whistle-blower Act. UNC agreed to pay Willingham $335,000 in order to settle the lawsuit. Although Mary did not return to her position on campus, she continues to fight on behalf of student-athletes and still lives a few blocks away from the UNC campus.

On June 11, 2015 the board of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on College (SACS) placed UNC on probation for failing to meet seven accreditation standards, including academic integrity and control of athletics. The seven accreditation standards are: overall integrity; program content; control of intercollegiate athletics; academic support services; academic freedom; faculty role in governance; and compliance with provisions in federal financial aid law.

Numerous officials have left UNC in the wake of the scandal, including former Chancellor Holden Thorp, who resigned [11]. Nine others resigned, were fired or placed under disciplinary review.

UNC is currently awaiting a response from the NCAA regarding the scandal.

[10] Blythe, A. (2014, July 1). Mary Willingham files suit against UNC-Chapel Hill. Retrieved July 24, 2015, from http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article10337309.html

[11] Kane, D., & Stancill, J. (2015, June 11). Review agency hits UNC-Chapel Hill with probation. Retrieved July 24, 2015, from http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/unc-scandal/article23751628.html