Letter from President DeRosa to Gwen Dungy, Executive Director of NASPA -- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
Gwen Dungy
Executive Director
NASPA -- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
Dear Gwen:
I would like to address the concerns about litigation at University of the Pacific and, in particular, the allegations made about Vice President Elizabeth Griego in that lawsuit, which were recently raised on one of NASPA's listservs. The lawsuit involves a former female student ("Jane Doe") who was allegedly sexually assaulted by three male students in an on-campus incident that occurred in May of 2008.
The University reported the incident to police, but the female student declined to cooperate with a criminal investigation. The University, however, proceeded and adjudicated the case on violations of the University's Student Code of Conduct. The University handled the case swiftly and fairly and took appropriate action under its policies. According to best-practices, the case was heard by a Judicial Review Board, appealed, and heard by an Appeals Committee. One student was expelled and two suspended for violation of the University's sexual assault policy. We are confident about the manner in which we have handled the Jane Doe case.
University of the Pacific enforces a zero-tolerance policy on sexual assault and provides many resources to prevent sexual assault, create better awareness, and support victims. These policies and resources are promoted in incoming student orientations, on our website, and in the student handbook distributed annually to all students. Like many universities, we also support this policy with guest speakers, workshops, RA training sessions, counseling and health services, and a Victim's Advocate on call 24/7.
It is important to remember that allegations in lawsuits must always be viewed just as that - allegations made by one party against another. It must also be noted that lawsuits, like this one, are financially motivated. Therefore, what was quoted in yesterday's letter from Jane Doe's lawsuit and represented as the truth are simply unsubstantiated allegations.
I want you to know that Dr. Griego has my full confidence and support, as well as that of the University. During the past year, I personally observed how Elizabeth and her entire team handled this matter with utmost compassion and fairness and we are proud of that.
I encourage NASPA members to read the facts at www.PacificFacts.com, which contains the original lawsuit filed by Jane Doe and the University's Answer to it.
Thank you for all the good work you and your colleagues do for students and for higher education.
Sincerely,
Don DeRosa
President
University of the Pacific