By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com

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President Donna Shalala released a video statement Monday afternoon describing how tough the past eight days have been for the UM community.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A week after NCAA investigators arrived on the University of Miami campus, President Donna Shalala released a video statement Monday afternoon describing how tough the past eight days have been for the UM community.

Shalala revealed that the eligibility of 15 current student-athletes is under review and that there is no foreseeable timeframe for when a decision will be made even with the upcoming season two weeks away.

The Yahoo! Sports investigation listed 12 players on the current roster from which former booster Nevin Shapiro said he gave improper benefits to.

The list of players Shapiro named includes: Jacory Harris, Vaughn Telemaque, Ray Ray Armstrong, Travis Benjamin, Aldarius Johnson, Marcus Forston, Olivier Vernon, Marcus Robinson, Adewale Ojomo, Dyron Dye, JoJo Nicholas and Sean Spence.

Shalala did not release any names of players being investigated but said she insisted on complete and honest cooperation by every member of the athletic department.

“The NCAA enforcement staff in a joint investigation with the university conducted several campus interviews last week and we expect the investigation to continue,” Shalala said. “I’m proud of how our leaders, staff and coaches and student-athletes have handled themselves in the past week. We have been open and cooperative with investigators.”

These allegations all took place before first-year head coach Al Golden arrived on campus but they will have an immediate impact on how his first season pans out. Of those current players listed, many are expected to be big time contributors on the field.

Shalala said the NCAA instructed her not to comment on specific details of the ongoing investigation. She added that she was notified the NCAA would be on campus on Aug. 15.

“It’s frustrating for us, for me to be unable to speak more freely or to answer questions,” Shalala said. “However, we must protect the integrity of the investigation and have patience as the work proceeds.”

Shalala made note of NCAA President Mark Emmert’s comments from last Friday in which the university was “being extremely cooperative” in the joint investigation.

The NCAA began looking into claims that Shapiro provided improper benefits to 72 players who played or were being recruited by the University of Miami between 2002 to 2010.