Demand Accountability for the Systemic Culture of Abuse at LSU

Demand Accountability for the Systemic Culture of Abuse at LSU

Started
March 7, 2021
Petition to
Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors and
Signatures: 239Next Goal: 500
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Why this petition matters

Started by WeLEAD Project

The Husch Blackwell report commissioned by Louisiana State University (LSU) as a result of a series of investigations and articles detailing the abuse of LSU students which were not addressed by the institution, detailed institutional systemic failures over a period of years at LSU. 

As a result of this limited investigation, which could not compel documents or witnesses, nor was any testimony under oath, we demand further investigation by an outside party into the LSU football offices, and specifically Head Coach Ed Orgeron and his assistant coaches, who were named in documents in criminal investigations regarding their football players and who oversee the many instances of sexual assault and interpersonal violence on campus by the members of their football team. We also demand an investigation into the internal athlete training on violence against women by athletic department staff. 

We also demand that LSU hire an outside organization that will revise, align, and distribute Title IX and campus safety policies that provide for the equal treatment of female students on par with Title VI. We also demand a community-based prevention and response plan for all of LSU's campuses that are based on the best practices outlined within the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.

We demand the immediate dismissal of Senior Associate Athletic Directors Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar, Women's Tennis Coaches Julia and Mike Sell, and Athletic Director Scott Woodward, who continues to publicly vocalize his support even after the disturbing findings and discipline of Verge Ausberry. Athletic Director Woodward must be proactive in investigations and ensuring training across athletic department staff, yet he praises those who harmed LSU students with their actions. 

We demand the Louisiana Legislature address the following points in state policy:

  • Extend the civil rights statute of limitations in the state of Louisiana, which is currently one year.
  • Create an equal rights amendment for the state of Louisiana. Currently, under Louisiana state law, sex-based rights are treated as less than race and national origin based rights. 
  • Open every foundation tied to an educational institution to public scrutiny through Sunshine Laws including the LSU Foundation and the Tiger Athletic Fund. 
  • Address the gaps in the Sunshine Law to strengthen the ability for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, as well as the public, to access police reports as a matter of public safety. Provide greater accountability in the area of transparency in law enforcement.
  • Make public the members of law enforcement who moonlight for higher education athletic departments at events. 
  • Create comprehensive mandatory reporter legislation in Louisiana.
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Signatures: 239Next Goal: 500
Support now
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