Politicians get view from the top

Elected officials received $15,831 worth of football tickets from 2003 to 2008 free of charge, according to data compiled by the University.

The tickets were paid for by UNC Foundation Investment Fund Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting teaching, research and service at the University by receiving gifts and distributing funds.

UNC officials said the benefit of hosting elected officials outweighs the small cost.

Matt Kupec, vice chancellor of University advancement, said the foundation has brought in $14.5 million in grants this fiscal year to support students, faculty and other initiatives on campus.

“A very tiny amount, pennies almost, are used for these tickets,” Kupec said. “It’s a great, great benefit any time you can bring in officials of that status to campus, allowing them to meet administrators, faculty, students. We believe they’ll be impressed by what goes on here. It’s good for the University.

“It’s a great investment and, we think, one very

 worth it.”

Most tickets went to members of the N.C. General Assembly, such as Rep. Joe Hackney, D-Orange, and Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, and to Gov. Bev Perdue when she served as lieutenant governor.

The officials who receive tickets to a football game usually sit in the chancellor’s box, which seats 218 people.

Elevators take guests to the box, which is finished with dark wood panels and gold and blue carpeting. The box has its own seating, and guests are served buffet-style. Some guests might prefer to sit in the stadium, but they are given bracelets that give them access to the box before and after the game and during halftime.

Since a state ethics law took effect in January 2007, the University has not given free tickets to state-level elected officials, said Mike McFarland, director of University communications.

The ethics law has a gift provision that places restrictions on the ability of state legislators, public servants and judicial officials to receive gifts.

Because of this provision, state elected officials have to purchase tickets to football games, but they can call the chancellor’s office to see if tickets are available, said Dwayne Pinkney, assistant vice chancellor for finance and administration.

“A legislator or another elected official will wait too late or a game is sold out, and there’s nothing we can do for them,” Pinkney said.

Obtaining a free ticket is done much the same way.

The state ethics law does not apply to town officials, who are still allowed to receive free tickets to athletic events.

Federal officials, such as U.S. congressmen, can still receive free tickets to University athletic events because they are governed by a different set of ethics laws, said Karen Regan, director of federal affairs at UNC.

“Part of the mission of the Office of Federal Affairs is to try to get officials to come and spend time on our campus,” Regan said. “At the federal level, the laws are very different.”

UNC-system President Erskine Bowles established a ticketing policy in 2008 that allows the University to extend tickets to members of Congress and their staff free of charge.

The invitation must be extended by the president of the University, the vice president of federal relations, the chancellor or the campus federal relations officer.

“We think it’s a great, great way to showcase our University,” Kupec said.



Contact the Investigative Team Editor at dthiteam@gmail.com.