Dive Brief:
- Niagara University’s dean of students is on administrative leave while an independent law firm conducts an investigation into how she handled allegations of rape against a member of the men’s basketball team.
- A student collected 1,300 names in three days on a change.org petition seeking Dean Marjean C. McLaughlin’s dismissal, accusing her of taking the player’s side following the allegations, according to the Buffalo News, which said signers also accused the dean of “harassing and belittling students in other incidents,” as well.
- Niagara University has said it plans to keep the campus community informed about the status of its investigation and next steps, and maintains that McLaughlin’s leave is not punitive.
Dive Insight:
The Change.org petition states McLaughlin told a female student accuser that by coming forward, she was trying to ruin the basketball player’s career. The petition was created late Friday, and by Wednesday morning had 1,428 names — including many current students as well as alumni. While colleges and universities are legally obligated to take allegations of rape seriously, public protests such as the one at Niagara University have had a significant impact on campus policy. In just the last few years, many more campuses have begun to offer more rigorous training for staff and students, revised their response plans, and partnered with community organizations and law enforcement to take a strategic approach to what many deem a nationwide crisis.