Editorial: Questions over probe’s findings

Wednesday, June 3, 1998 | 9:37 a.m.

The UNLV administration did a poor job in reporting on its investigation concerning alleged racist remarks made by Athletic Director Charles Cavagnaro.

Late last week UNLV President Carol Harter issued a statement that she found insufficient evidence of Cavagnaro using racist and homophobic slurs when talking about UNLV athletes. She did, though, acknowledge that Cavagnaro "may have used language that others find offensive and has apologized." Instead of talking publicly about the investigation, and answering questions about the report that Harter refuses to make public, both Harter and Cavagnaro made themselves unavailable to take questions on Friday.

UNLV bungled this badly. The absence of Harter and Cavagnaro after the report was finished only fueled suspicion that there was something they were trying to hide. It's become an axiom for government agencies: If there is bad news to release, do it late in the day, preferably a Friday. Why? Because some government officials believe that a story loses its legs over a weekend and that by Monday it is seen as old news, not worthy of follow-up reporting.

But the UNLV administration badly miscalculated on this one. The timing and lack of public response only fuels suspicions of a whitewash, even if such fears are unfounded. Unwittingly, by failing to talk openly following the conclusion of the report, Harter and the UNLV administration have provided critics with ammunition to question her handling of the matter.

At the very least, Harter and Cavagnaro should come forward and publicly discuss the findings and answer questions from the media. To do anything less will only continue to sow the seeds of suspicion.

The investigation deserved closure, but UNLV's missteps on the probe's conclusions will create only more questions for the public.