Hansbrough resigns as gifts officer

Tami Hansbrough, a major gifts officer in the Office of Student Affairs, resigned Wednesday amid questions about her travel records.

Hansbrough, whose travel with Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Matt Kupec has become the subject of an internal investigation, resigned two days after she was put on administrative leave.

Kupec, who has been romantically involved with Hansbrough, resigned Sunday after Chancellor Holden Thorp informed him of an investigation into his and Hansbrough’s travel expenses.

Hansbrough, mother of former UNC basketball star Tyler Hansbrough, reported to Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Winston Crisp, who accepted her resignation.

“I don’t know that I think people should necessarily jump to conclusions,” Crisp said. “People resign for lots of reasons.”

Hansbrough made $95,000 a year as a major gifts officer in Student Affairs, Crisp said. She did not respond to phone calls or an email for comment.

Brenda Malone, vice chancellor for human resources, said Hansbrough’s salary will only be paid through her last day of work, and for leftover vacation days and other leave balances.

“When you resign, you resign,” Crisp said. “Her employment at the University is terminated, is over, as of today, as of her resignation.”

Hansbrough began at UNC in 2008 at the School of Dentistry as the associate director of development, said her former supervisor Paul Gardner, associate dean of advancement, in an email.

“She was in that position from Dec. 8, 2008 until she submitted her letter of resignation on Jan. 25, 2011,” Gardner said, referring to when Hansbrough resigned to take the job in Student Affairs.

During Hansbrough’s time at the dental school, Tyler Hansbrough was still at UNC. In a 2009 interview, Tami Hansbrough denied athletics had anything to do with her hire.

“It’s not uncommon for parents to be by their children. I did not consult the athletic department or ask for their help,” she was quoted as saying in a 2009 Daily Tar Heel article.

Later, Hansbrough expressed interest in a job that would have her report to Kupec. But since the two were dating, Thorp said it would violate UNC’s nepotism policy.

Kupec then worked with Crisp to create a new position in Student Affairs, one that would reach out to parents more. Crisp said the motivation for creating this job had nothing to do with Hansbrough.

Crisp said she was selected because she was the best candidate, voted for unanimously by the search committee.

Sallie Shuping-Russell, chairwoman of the budget, finance and audit committee of the Board of Trustees, said she supports Thorp’s quick action on this finding.

“I think that the chancellor found out that there were problems and he took immediate action,” she said.

“He took action to resolve them, I think the board knew that, and is supportive.”

Contact the desk editor at university@dailytarheel.com.