University of Idaho President Chuck Staben spoke to ASUI senators and UI students Wednesday night regarding UI athletic director Rob Spear mishandling a sexual assault case in 2013. Staben’s speech came at a time when the Senate debated on whether to vote on a resolution that would call for Spear’s removal.
The controversy surrounding Spear filled up the bulk of the forum, despite the Senate’s plan to vote April 4. Staben emphasized the safety of UI students is his first priority and said he wants to reinforce the values of Vandals.
Staben went on to speak about the steps that UI and the athletic department have made in preventing sexual assaults and promoting reporting, with the implementation of Green Dot training, a bystander intervention program.
After explaining the efforts that have been made, Staben asked senators to proceed with caution regarding this resolution. He said university policy was not clear in 2013 but assured the misconduct will be addressed.
He said Spear has done a great deal and is “a role model for the University”.
After Staben’s comments, Sarah Soloman, a member of Students for Accountability and Safety, read a statement from Mairin Jameson. Jameson made the original allegations against Spear’s misconduct of her sexual assault case in 2013.
Soloman also started an online petition to fire Spear. The petition currently has over 500 signatures.
She said Spear does not encompass Vandal values, and “the voice of one can be heard, but the voice of many cannot be ignored.”
After a few students came to the podium to express their support of the resolution, two female soccer players spoke in support of Spear. They said they have never felt unsafe with him and said they feel comfortable with him as an athletic director. The athletes said the situation could have been handled better, but “firing Rob Spear will not solve the issue.”
Along with the women’s soccer team, Debbie Buchanan, UI’s women’s volleyball coach, also spoke in support of Spear. She attested to his character and says due to FERPA and Title IX regulations, there is much of the story the Senate does not know.
Emma Takatori can be reached at [email protected]
Cutt
Fire Petrino and Spear.