When Tami Hansbrough joined the University as a fundraiser in 2011, it was no secret that she was involved romantically with Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Matt Kupec.
When a previous central advancement job that reported to Kupec opened up, Chancellor Holden Thorp made sure she would not be considered for the position.
“When I found out (Hansbrough) might be interested in applying, I made sure that I told Matt she couldn’t be hired because that would violate nepotism policy,” Thorp said.
But she was later hired for a different position — one that led to swirling questions about her travel with Kupec and his resignation Sunday.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Winston Crisp and Kupec had worked together to create a brand new position in Student Affairs, and when Hansbrough applied, Crisp said she emerged as the best candidate — regardless of her relationship with Kupec.
“The way it came to pass is (Kupec) suggested to me that we might collaborate on a major gift officer for a parent position. It made a lot of sense to me.”
“What you’re going to hear is that Vice Chancellor Kupec was busy trying to manipulate the world to get his girlfriend a job,” Crisp said. “I can’t tell you what he was and was not going to do, the only person who can answer that is Matt Kupec.
“But I can tell you that’s not what happened.”
Kupec resigned when Thorp told him an internal investigation would be launched into his travel records. Hansbrough was placed on administrative leave Monday, and neither she nor Kupec could be reached for comment.