Dive Brief:
- The Tennessean published an investigative report into allegations of misconduct at the University of Tennessee after obtaining documents from former Vice Chancellor for Student Life Tim Rogers.
- The documents reveal Rogers’ concerns about improper pressure from athletics department leaders in deciding student discipline cases for athletes, including those involving sexual assaults.
- Rogers retired in 2013 amid the turmoil, The Tennessean reports, but university officials said the student disciplinary process and procedures following reports of sexual assaults have both improved since then.
Dive Insight:
Colleges and universities nationwide are under strict scrutiny from the federal government about their campus environments and handling of sexual assault cases. Major scandals have erupted over the years with collegiate football programs at the center of sexual assault allegations. Critics point to the exaltation of college athletes who rake in money for top athletics programs as a key barrier in properly addressing campus sexual assault.
The conflict of interest athletics department leaders deny at the University of Tennessee is the same one that has lead to other scandals involving athletes, including rules violations the NCAA just penalized Syracuse University for last week.