( CNN ) -- University of North Carolina whistle-blower Mary Willingham did not just review numbers on a spreadsheet , she emphasized to CNN , but worked with the `` overwhelming majority '' of the athletes she analyzed in a study about literacy -- one that was summarily dismissed by university officials the same day . Her findings , that 8 % of a sample of UNC students playing the money-making college sports of football and basketball were reading below a 3rd grade level , were met with scathing criticism by the university during a faculty council meeting Friday afternoon . In the meeting , Provost James Dean said the university 's initial analysis of Willingham 's research determined that she made a `` range of serious mistakes '' in how she arrived at the reading levels of the athletes she assessed . Dean said Willingham used the wrong measurement , and relied on data that is n't supposed to be used to determine the grade level of reading comprehension . A second independent analysis of her research will be sought , Dean said . `` Our judgment at this point is that claims made based on this data set are nearly meaningless and grossly unfair to our students . '' The university has not explained why it did not do this analysis , or take the time to review her claims , prior to a CNN report on the literacy of college athletes . CNN had asked for comment on Willingham 's study as early as September . Willingham said after the meeting : `` My data is 100 % correct . In addition , I worked with the overwhelming majority of the students in the data set on reading and writing skills between 2004 and 2010 . '' Willingham 's study was part of a report by CNN on UNC -- and dozens of other public universities -- and whether student-athletes in revenue sports are able to keep up with their peers academically . After meeting with university officials in the wake of the CNN story , Willingham got a letter informing her that her approval to research using university records was being pulled because she broke a rule related to having the identities of the athletes she was studying . She immediately said she would reapply to continue her research . `` It 's interesting that my ( permission to do research ) was pulled and I was told that I could not talk about it until it was resolved . Meanwhile the provost is allowed to discuss the findings , '' Willingham said , talking about the rescinding of her permission to continue research . `` That is what is truly erroneous about all of this -- and at a research university -- wow . At UNC , we protect our brand at all costs . '' `` The gap in academic preparedness between profit-sport athletes and students at NCAA ( Division 1 ) institutions perpetuates educational inequality , '' Willingham said . `` Until we acknowledge the problem , and fix it , many of our athletes , specifically men 's basketball and football players , are getting nothing in exchange for their special talents . '' Willingham is one of just two people in the country CNN found who have researched the reading levels of student-athletes in the revenue-generating sports of football and basketball . In talking to CNN , she also shared several compelling stories about working with unnamed student-athletes who could not write , could not sound out multisyllabic words and who could not have read a paragraph when they started school at UNC . CNN also sought data from 37 other public universities . It asked for entrance exam scores of athletes on the SAT and ACT , because the kind of research that Willingham did is simply not available from other institutions . Since September , UNC has been aware of CNN 's reporting and was asked to comment several times including on Willingham 's research . The university said it could not comment on her findings or methodology . Not until after the story aired did the university release any data . On Thursday , it released an analysis of entrance exam scores that included all student-athletes -- - not just the profit sport players . Based on that analysis , UNC said Willingham was wrong about the percentage of athletes who were not academically prepared for the rigors of college classes . Included in the UNC analysis was a disclosure that 34 football or basketball players since 2004 scored below a 400 on the SAT verbal test , or below a 16 on the ACT reading and English test . At those levels , experts have told CNN a student would not be able to read a college text book . UNC , again , disputes that expert opinion , and says all but four of those athletes are in , left in or graduated in good academic standing . It 's not the first time UNC has faced questions about the quality of its academics for athletes . Two years ago , a scandal was unearthed where students , many of them athletes , were given grades for classes they did n't attend , and where they did nothing more than turn in a single paper . The local newspaper , The News & Observer , did extensive reporting on that no-show class scandal and , based on public records and interviews , uncovered how counselors with the athletes ' tutoring program used the fake classes to help keep academically challenged athletes eligible to play sports . Willingham , who has been vocal in her criticism since that scandal was uncovered , informed the university of her latest research as far back as August .
UNC claims Mary Willingham made `` serious mistakes '' Willingham was shocked by the number of UNC athletes who struggled to read . The NCAA said in a statement that it is investigating whether there were any violations and will take appropriate action. University releases own data .