The State University of New York announced Wednesday that retired Justice Judith Kaye will head the external audit of Binghamton University’s athletic program.

“We anticipate Judge Kaye will provide the Board of Trustees with a report and recommendations that will enable us to address all issues related to the Binghamton athletic program and restore full public confidence in the University,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher in a press release.

Kaye retired as chief judge of the State of New York Court of Appeals at the end of 2008 and is now a counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in Manhattan.

Zimpher’s announcement on Oct. 2 that SUNY would oversee the review came shortly after six Binghamton basketball players were dismissed from the team, including Emanuel “Tiki” Mayben, who is now facing drug charges. The reason for the removal of the other five players is still unknown.

Originally, University President Lois DeFleur had said the University would be in charge of the audit, but is pleased with SUNY’s decision.

“Binghamton University fully supports this investigation and we welcome the chance to work with the Honorable Judith Kaye, a respected jurist with a well-known reputation for fairness and integrity,” DeFleur said.

The audit is one of four changes that DeFleur has announced, which included the resignation of Joel Thirer as athletic director. The other changes included the hiring of his interim replacement, James Norris, who was previously the senior associate athletic director. Finally, she also called for Kevin Broadus, the men’s basketball coach, to provide a “recruitment and supervision plan.”

Zimpher, among other things, is known for the time she spent as president of the University of Cincinnati for standing up to Bob Huggins, a successful basketball coach. His players often got into trouble and he himself was arrested in 2004 on a drunken-driving charge.

Zimpher fired him the year after the charge.

According to David Henahan, SUNY spokesman, the audit is currently ongoing and Kaye will be reporting to the executive committee of the SUNY Board of Trustees on her progress.

“I am pleased to be assisting the State University of New York in this important matter,” Kaye said. “I look forward to working with the SUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor Nancy Zimpher to conduct a thorough and comprehensive review and investigation and to report my findings and recommendations as expeditiously as possible.”