RALEIGH — A group of North Carolina media outlets is suing over a report being withheld by UNC Chapel Hill involving its School of Civic Life and Leadership.
The lawsuit concerns a 400-page, $1.2 million independent investigation report prepared in early 2026 by the law firm K&L Gates that was produced with assistance from UNC law professor Michael Gerhardt.
The report, paid for using public funds, is the result of an investigation into allegations surrounding the university’s School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCiLL), its founding and its leadership by Dean Jed Atkins, including hiring, governance and related policies.
UNC Chapel Hill received the results of an independent review of SCiLL last month but refused to release it for confidentiality reasons involving personnel matters, attorney-client privilege and protection of interviewees.
“The review has concluded, and the University has unwavering confidence in the comprehensiveness, integrity and objectivity of that review,” Newton said in a statement at the time. “The University is committed to taking all steps appropriate to ensure that any necessary corrective actions are taken.
“Among the issues under review were a series of allegations that implicate sensitive and confidential personnel information that is protected by state law and University policy. In accordance with applicable law and policy, the University does not plan to offer any further public statements about the details of the Review.”
Six media organizations filed the lawsuit: The Daily Tar Heel, Capitol Broadcasting Co., Incorporated (WRAL-TV), The McClatchy Company (News & Observer), States Newsroom (N.C. Newsline), North Carolina Longform Magazine, Inc. (The Assembly) and Carolina Public Press.
UNC Chapel Hill’s General Counsel Paul Newton and Chancellor Lee Roberts are the named defendants in the lawsuit.
Filed April 10 in Orange County Superior Court, the plaintiffs are alleging the report is a presumptive public record paid for with public funds and that failing to release it despite media requests is a violation of state public record laws.
“The failure of a public records custodian to provide access to or copies of public records ‘as promptly as possible’ upon request pursuant to (state law) is tantamount to denial,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit seeks an immediate hearing and an in-camera court review of the full report. The outlets are also seeking redaction of any lawfully exempt portions of the report and an order compelling disclosure of the rest. Additionally, the complaint seeks to recoup any legal fees.
