Statement from SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Carl T. Hayden and Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher

A copy of the Judge Kaye’s report is available here.

“We appreciate the comprehensive, independent review undertaken by Judge Judith Kaye into issues concerning the intercollegiate athletics program at Binghamton University.  Her report outlines the more than 80 interviews conducted at Binghamton over numerous campus visits and reviews of thousands of electronic communications and paper documents.  Judge Kaye and her legal team had unfettered access to all current and former members of the Binghamton Athletic Department and Administration and others involved in the America East Conference.

“We believe the report speaks for itself. Her recommendations are clear, concise and outline a clear path for restoration of oversight, accountability and unquestioned academic integrity.

“The Board of Trustees and the Chancellor will now move forward to review and implement the recommendations of Judge Kaye’s report.  It is our responsibility to act quickly to bring this matter to a conclusion and to take the necessary steps to restore Binghamton’s academic and athletic reputation to the highest levels.

“We have kept in close communication with the NCAA and America East during this investigation.  We have shared this report with them and SUNY and Binghamton University will follow up as necessary to insure full compliance with all NCAA and AEC rules and regulations.”

The total cost for this comprehensive review is $913,381 which includes 1,770 billable hours for eight members of the legal team of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; 547 billable hours for legal assistants and vendor charges for electronic data retrieval and analysis. Costs were capped under an agreement with the law firm.  

The SUNY Research Foundation entered in to a contract with Skadden Arps on behalf of the SUNY Board of Trustees to expedite this review.  The Research Foundation will seek reimbursement from Binghamton University for 50 percent of the cost and use SUNY Central RF unrestricted funds to cover the remaining 50 percent of the cost of the investigation.   No tuition or taxpayer dollars will be used to pay these expenses.

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