UNLV still investigating allegations

When UNLV president Dr. Carol Harter asked for and received an independent investigation from the Chancellor's office into alleged racist and sexist comments made by athletic director Charles Cavagnaro, her hope was that the inquiry would be wrapped up by the time the school's commencement took place last Saturday.

However, the process which began May 6 has been painstakingly slow.

Assistant general counsel Kwasi Nyamekeye has attempted to talk to as many people with knowledge of Cavagnaro's alleged remarks as possible. The conclusion of the investigation still may be 10 days away, possibly longer.

Nyamekeye still has to write and deliver his report to Chancellor Richard Jarvis, which probably will take an additional few days. The result ultimately may not be made public until early next month.

"We're still interviewing people," assistant general counsel Karl Armstrong said. "There are more appointments this week. We want to hear all aspects of what people have to say."

Armstrong said there is no deadline from Jarvis to complete the investigation.

"It will be finished when the last person is interviewed," Armstrong said. "I can tell you we're working as expeditiously as possible."

Nyamekeye has a long list of athletic department employees, UNLV coaches and former staff members to meet. Many have cooperated fully, some have had to postpone or reschedule their appointments and a few have declined to cooperate for personal and professional reasons.

But several of the department members who spoke to Nyamekeye said things were handled in a professional and nonconfrontational matter.

"I felt safe in talking to him," associate AD Jerry Koloskie said. "But I felt that way from the very outset. I think it's important that this move along. It's important for the university and it's important for Charlie."

Koloskie wouldn't reveal his responses to the questions, but he said there were no surprises.

"I was very candid with him and the questions, I felt, were very fair," he said.

Another department employee who wished to remain anonymous said Nyamekeye was prepared.

"He had specific questions," the employee said. "I thought he was pretty objective and he didn't seem to be leaning one way or the other. I felt very comfortable with him and I believe his only agenda is getting to the truth."

Most of the questions were related to whether or not the employees heard Cavagnaro make alleged racist remarks such as "monkeys," "apes" and "gorillas" in reference to black athletes.

It is believed Nyamekeye has yet to meet with Cavagnaro and get his side of the story. When asked about whether he has met or planned to meet with Nyamekeye, Cavagnaro said, "It wouldn't be proper for me to make any additional comment right now."

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