USM Board of Regents to Assume Authority and Control Over UMCP Investigations
Adelphi, Md. (Aug. 17, 2018) -- The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents today unanimously voted to assume authority and control over all aspects of the investigation into the tragic death of University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) student-athlete Jordan McNair. Separately, the board will assume control over the commission formed to investigate the culture of the UMCP football program. Today’s actions will allow the USM to provide guidance from the findings of the investigations to all system institutions.
These steps are being taken pursuant to its authority and duty under Section 12-104 of the Education Article of the Maryland Code.
The USM will announce additional details about the board’s plans next week. Each of the two separate reviews will now be managed by the Board of Regents and report findings to the Board of Regents, as well as to UMCP.
The votes were taken during a 4-hour special meeting of the board. The board also asked the Maryland Office of the Attorney General to represent UMCP and USM on any and all legal claims related to Mr. McNair’s death.
“Everyone throughout the University System of Maryland was deeply saddened by the death of Jordan McNair,” said USM Board of Regents Chair James Brady. “Our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends, and with everyone at UMCP, at this very difficult time.”
“Earlier today, the Board of Regents was fully briefed by UMCP President Wallace Loh about the circumstances of Mr. McNair’s tragic death, about the actions that have been taken since, and finally about the alarming allegations that have emerged in the last week related to the football program,” Brady continued. “After a long and robust discussion, the board voted unanimously to assume responsibility for the investigations into these two separate issues. Our goal is to ensure that all system universities, including UMCP, are actively working to protect the health and safety of every student and to foster a supportive culture in which everyone can flourish.”
UMCP President Loh issued the following comment: “We welcome the oversight of the Board of Regents at this critical time. We must thoroughly investigate the death of student-athlete Jordan McNair and understand the allegations of the culture of our football program so that we can ensure the health and well-being of every one of our student-athletes. We will continue to honor Jordan’s life, and we will work with our Board of Regents to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again.”
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
