More than 1000 online petitioners are calling for the ouster of Niagara University’s Dean of Students, on claims that she has mishandled an allegation of rape on campus.Niagara University Junior Sarah Joslin’s petitionclaims that Dean of Students Carrie McLaughlin was dismissive when another female student told her that a member of the school’s basketball team had raped her. It states, “A young woman was raped on our campus by a basketball player, and Carrie [McLaughlin] told this young woman that by coming forward with the fact that she had been assaulted, she was trying to ruin his career.”
According to the petition, many members of the student body have become aware of the situation and have since refused to report their own situations regarding sexual harassment and assault.
The petition, which was created on Friday, also claims that a large number of students have varying complaints about McLaughlin. It states that the unnamed player alleged to have committed a sexual assault continues to attend the university on a basketball scholarship.
Responding to WBFO’s request for an interview on Sunday evening, a university official offered a written statement from Executive Vice President Debra Colley:
“The first priority of Niagara University is always the safety and well-being of our campus community, including all students and employees.
When a sexual assault is reported to us, it is our policy to investigate the incident to the fullest extent, and we meet and exceed the obligations of our Title IX obligations, as guided by New York State's “Enough is Enough” legislation.
The university takes matters of sexual violence and sexual assault very seriously and uses all available resources, including local law enforcement, when appropriate and with the permission of alleged victims, to fully investigate and adjudicate allegations.
Today, members of the administration, including myself and the Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs met with the student who posted the online petition. We are committed to continued conversation and will continue to do our best to protect all our students from assault and also from the misinformation that may arise from allegations.
Finally, we evaluate all matters of employee conduct and we will be reviewing the matters in question in partnership with our staff and students.”
The university official also offered links to the school’s Students’ Bill of Rights and Sexual Misconduct Policy.
