USM Board of Regents Statement
Baltimore, Md. (Nov. 1, 2018) -- The University System of Maryland Board of Regents today issued the following statement.
Several months ago, the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents assumed oversight of an independent commission investigating the culture of football at the University of Maryland, College Park. The board received the commission’s report on October 19 and, in subsequent days, met five times for a total of more than 20 hours to discuss its findings.
The discussions that followed focused entirely on the findings of the commission report, as well as the separate report compiled by Dr. Rod Walters. The board’s goal was to make recommendations focused solely on the best interest of the student-athletes and the university. Every board member had multiple opportunities to express their views, and no decision was arrived at unanimously by all 17 board members, which demonstrates the complexity of the issues examined by the board.
Earlier this week, Board Chair James T. Brady announced the board’s conclusions and recommendations to the university, including the recommendations to retain D.J. Durkin and Damon Evans. As the governing body and fiduciary for the institution, the board has both the right and the responsibility to examine the university’s operations and make recommendations to its president. Ultimately, it is the university president’s responsibility to operate the campus and to make any and all personnel decisions.
Last night, President Loh informed the chancellor of his plan to terminate Mr. Durkin’s contract. The board acknowledges and accepts his decision and his authority to make it.
The board has also heard from many, including Governor Hogan, members of the legislature, who strongly disagreed with the recommendations that were shared Tuesday. The board deeply respects the views of Maryland’s elected leaders and will participate in any process they request.
Going forward, the USM Board of Regents will work with the university to ensure that the commission’s recommendations related to reforming policies and procedures – including the adoption of a medical model – are adopted, which will improve the wellbeing of student-athletes at the University of Maryland, College Park and across all system campuses, which was the primary goal.
In the coming days and weeks, details about the process of implementing those reforms will be shared, including details regarding the appointment of an outside monitoring group.
The Board of Regents is in the process of scheduling a meeting next week at which it will select a new board chair. Further updates will be provided next week.
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
