MISSOULA – An investigation of two recent reported cases of sexual assault involving University of Montana students has led to the discovery of at least three more cases, and UM President Royce Engstrom is promising changes.
“I want you to know we take this very seriously,” Engstrom said at a public forum Tuesday in Missoula.
He said the entire university community must take action.
Engstrom says the university is working to make the school safer by educating students, improving the university’s communication when a sexual assault is reported and reviewing the athletic department’s response to possible sex crimes committed by athletes.
The investigation began in mid-December after two women reported being sexually assaulted and possibly drugged. The investigation by former Supreme Court Justice Diane Barz found three more cases of sexual assault involving UM students.
“Our investigations have indicated an association with patterns of behavior from a small number of student athletes,” Engstrom said. “We will not tolerate the tarnishing of the proud tradition of Grizzly athletics.”
University of Montana football player Beau Donaldson was arrested Jan. 6 and charged with raping an acquaintance who had fallen asleep on his couch after drinking alcohol at a house party in September 2010. UM officials said Donaldson was suspended from the team indefinitely.
Engstrom said the problem isn’t confined to athletics.
He said the university will hold another forum with students who return from winter break on Jan. 25 and said educational efforts will continue through the spring semester.
“The educational program needs to start with the message that sexual assault is not tolerated in our society and it is an evil thing and perpetrators will be dealt with as forcefully as we possibly can,” Engstrom said.
Engstrom said sections of the university’s student-athlete conduct code needed to be clarified and emphasized to athletes, but said it’s unlikely any policies would change.
He added that the university is open to working with community groups, local law enforcement, city officials and student groups to address the issue.
A preliminary report on the investigation by Barz pointed to a gap in UM’s dissemination of information and policies and who shares what kind of information with whom when an assault is reported.
In one case, Engstrom said an assault that had been reported to Missoula police was also reported to a university employee, but that employee did not notify her supervisor.
“This is the gap in reporting pointed out by our investigator, Diane Barz,” Engstrom said.
Incoming Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian attended Tuesday’s forum and said the UM investigation is the first item on the state Board of Regents’ agenda Thursday, and that regents will make sure that “the right precautions are in place across the system.”