Campus Senate recommends an investigation

Athletic department adopts new policy concerning female teams

April 22, 2009
By Luke Runyon
Staff Writer

Photo by David Clary The resolution calling for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Richard Ringeisen, seen here at a press conference in October 2008 that announced the University’s invitation to move to the NCAA Division II conference, was tabled at last Friday’s Campus Senate meeting. However, the Campus Senate approved the resolution that called for “an independent investigation of intercollegiate athletics at UIS.”

A resolution calling for an independent investigation into the role of intercollegiate athletics at UIS was passed by the Campus Senate at last Friday’s meeting.

Two new resolutions were placed on the agenda of the meeting at its start. The first called for “an independent investigation of intercollegiate athletics at UIS.” It referenced the resignations of coaches Roy Gilmore, Joe Fisher, and Jay Davis as the basis of investigation. The resolution also stated that the events leading up to those resignations “reflect an ongoing pattern of ethical failures and misconduct, a lack of effective oversight within the athletics department, and a lack of effective oversight of the athletic department by the UIS administration.”

The second resolution, calling for a no confidence vote in Chancellor Richard Ringeisen, was tabled until the results of the investigation were brought in front of the Campus Senate.

The Campus Senate makes recommendations however and their decisions concerning administration are not binding. Cheryl Peck, Director of Public Relations, said that even though it is not compulsory that the administration complies, they are still taking the recommendation very seriously. “We will consult a variety of voices on campus before determining our course of action,” said Peck. Even though Friday’s meeting was described as a “difficult day”, Peck said that it “allowed for renewed opportunities to work together for faculty, staff and students.” Peck was unable to give a time frame as to when administrators will be making their decision to have an investigation or not.

The three hour long meeting was very well attended by faculty, student athletes, staff members, and members of the media.

Before the vote on the resolution, Ringeisen assured those present that there was an initial investigation which involved Intercollegiate Athletics Committee (IAC) Chair Ryan Williams, Faculty Athletics Representative Marcel Yoder, and Athletic Director Rodger Jehlicka.

The resolution passed by the Senate lays out the members of the new investigative committee. This new committee will consist of the IAC Chair, a faculty member appointed by the Campus Senate, and an external consultant, mutually agreed upon by the Chancellor and the Campus Senate.

Scott Reed, Assistant Director of Athletics for Communication, stated that there is a new policy within athletics that will require a female staff member to accompany any female sports team that is coached by a male to an off campus competition. Reed stated that this new policy only affects female teams who lack a female coach and are taking part in overnight trips off campus. It is in response to the incidents which spurred the resignations of Gilmore and Fisher.

University officials remain hesitant to release details concerning the resignations of Gilmore, Fisher, and Davis. However, during Friday’s meeting Political Studies professor Kent Redfield emphatically expressed his disapproval of how the university handled the aftermath of the resignations.

“There has been one big thing missing from this whole ordeal and that is our administration apologizing for what happened to these women.

embers of our campus community were hurt by other members of the campus community and we need to stand up and say we’re sorry. Bad things happened and they happened on our watch,” said Redfield. “The silence from administration on this campus has been deafening.”

Redfield also alluded to the role of alcohol in the softball team’s trip to Florida, mentioning the possibility of an investigation into the drinking policies of the athletics department.

Atheltics student worker, Lexi Kirschbaum later reiterated that alcohol only played a “minor role” in the events that took place in Florida.

When asked about the possibility of UIS officials issuing a public apology for the actions of those coaches who resigned, Ringeisen was unable to make a decision.

“The people involved have already received our apology. I’m not sure if having a public apology would help our image,” said Ringeisen.
Kirschbaum acted as a liaison for softball and golf players unwilling to speak at the meeting. Kirschbaum gave her reasons for being against the investigation to be held by the Campus Senate.

“This is only going to hurt those female students involved. This investigation is going to make them go through this whole situation over and over again,” said Kirschbaum following the Senate’s passage of the resolution.

The resolution was the last item on this Senate’s agenda, as the new Senate was seated at 1 p.m. on Friday. The first item on their agenda was the resolution concerning the no confidence vote on Ringeisen.

Environmental Studies professor Tih-Fen Ting began the discussion of the resolution asking Ringeisen questions about the email he sent to the campus community on April 16. Ting questioned Ringeisen about his “strategic master plan,” which she stated was never approved by the Campus Senate.

“This is just a long pattern of unilateral decision making,” said Ting.
Ting compared this vote of no confidence to that of an end of semester faculty review taken by students. However, in this case, it would be the faculty giving their critique of UIS administration.