Since the UNC-system Board of Governors held a private retreat almost two months ago, accusations of breaking the N.C. open meetings law have been refuted by board officials — a back-and-forth match that might come to a head this week.
The board, a decision-making body for all 17 system campuses, held a closed workshop Aug. 10 and 11 to welcome 16 new members who were appointed in the spring.
Andrew Payne, a former student member of the board, has raised concerns about potential violations of the open meetings law. His concerns have persisted despite system administrators’ claims that the retreat was legal.
Payne, an N.C. State University alumnus who served on the board from 2000-2002, plans to hold a press conference after UNC-system President Thomas Ross’ inauguration at N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University Thursday.
The open meetings law states that public bodies must open official meetings and policy discussions to the public and the media.
Laura Luger, vice president of the system’s legal affairs, said in an email that members were aware of the law, and no university affairs were discussed.
“It wasn’t an ‘official meeting,’” Luger said. “It’s that simple.”
But Payne said he thinks the board did discuss official business at the retreat.
In his initial Aug. 18 email to administrators, Payne requested all materials given to board members at the workshop. He received the records, but he has since added emails related to the event, invoices and rosters of attendance to his request.
