Big 12 requests ‘full accounting’ of Baylor sexual assault investigation
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The Big 12 Board of Directors released a statement Wednesday calling for Baylor to release the full Pepper Hamilton report on the investigation of school’s sexual assault scandal.
“The Big 12 Board of Directors is gravely and deeply concerned by media reports about activities involving the athletics program at Baylor University,” the statement said. “On May 24, 2016, the Big 12 Board requested a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding the sexual assaults at the University. At this time the Board is only privy to information that has been made available to the public.”
According to the statement, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby sent a follow-up letter to “once again” request “all documents associated with the investigations of sexual assaults as Baylor” and any information that the school was told orally.
“The Big 12 Board of Directors, each member of the Conference and its student-athletes want to convey that our thoughts, concerns and sympathies are with the Baylor survivors and their families,” Bowlsby said.
“Because many of the incidents at Baylor reportedly involve student-athletes, the Conference is appropriately concerned with discovery of the facts,” the statement continued.
Baylor spokeswoman Tonya Lewis later released a statement in response to the Big 12’s request.
According to the statement, “Baylor is reviewing the Big 12’s request for additional information in light of Baylor’s obligations under federal privacy law and the commitment of confidentiality to the brave survivors who shared their experiences to help the University better understand its shortcomings.”
Baylor interim President David Garland also plans to meet with Commissioner Bowlsby to discuss the matter.
• A timeline of the Baylor sexual assault scandal
Garland said earlier this month that the school would not release the full report due to the fact that the findings of the investigation were presented to the university orally.
According to the parts of the investigation that have been released, the school ignored sexual assault accusations that involved football players and stifled investigations. The school fired head football coach Art Briles in the wake of the scandal.
