OSU board puts President F. King Alexander on probation amid controversy

(Update: Board votes 12-2 on probation; statement from OSU Board Chair; Alexander video statement)

Directed to develop 'a concrete plan to rebuild trust and relationships'

CORVALLIS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- After hours of public comments and private deliberations, the Oregon State University Board late Wednesday placed President F. King Alexander on probation until June 1 amid reports that he tolerated a culture of sexual misconduct and harassment while president of Louisiana State University.

After the vote, Alexander told the trustees he would prepare an action plan to repair relationships on campus as they requested, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.

“I hear you loud and clear,” Alexander said. “We will work diligently in the coming months to respond.’

The school provided the following message from OSU Board of Trustees Chair Rani Borkar regarding King's performance as OSU’s president, Title IX matters related to Oregon State University, and the Husch Blackwell report regarding his leadership of Title IX at LSU:

Members of the OSU Community,

The Oregon State University Board of Trustees met today to review the Husch Blackwell report issued on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and discuss with President Alexander his leadership over Title IX at LSU and subsequent information that has been shared about Title IX and the handling of sexual violence and misconduct at LSU.

As a Board, we unequivocally condemn sexual violence and misconduct. We stand with and support survivors of all forms of sexual violence and affirm the work of advocates.

Today, the Board heard extensive public comments; reviewed written communications from members of the public; held a public discussion with President Alexander; met in executive session in accordance with Oregon law to discuss personnel matters; and held discussion in public session to consider next steps.

As a result of this process, the Board voted 12-2 to place President Alexander on probation through June 1, 2021, during which time the Board will conduct an evaluation to gather feedback from the OSU community to help inform his success.

The Board also will require that the Trustees’ Executive and Audit Committee contract with an independent outside consultant to evaluate information from the Husch Blackwell report and follow-up on any outstanding questions from trustees. The consultant’s report will be provided to the public.

President Alexander will be required to review the recommendations of the Husch Blackwell report relevant to OSU policies and practices and provide the Board with a report by June 1 that assesses and seeks to improve any OSU policies, procedures and funding needs for Title IX reporting and survivor support services.

President Alexander also will provide to the Board by June 1 a concrete plan to rebuild trust and relationships with the university community.

The Board recognizes that the discussions and media reports since the Husch Blackwell report was issued have resurfaced painful, traumatic memories for survivors of sexual violence and their advocates. Further, we understand the profound impact these troubling circumstances are having on all members of the university community and on Oregon State University as an institution.

We heard today from survivors and advocates about the need for survivor-centered, trauma-informed processes and resources. We heard the importance of offering students, staff and faculty robust resources, including both reporting options and confidential support and resources. This input will guide the university’s response.

As well, we heard from students, staff and faculty concerns about a lack of trust in the Board. We acknowledge the need to rebuild OSU community confidence in our leadership as OSU’s governing body.

Oregon State University’s mission and values never waver. We are grateful to the University’s talented and resourceful students, faculty, and staff for their resilience and accomplishments, and their contributions to OSU’s success.

Sincerely,

Rani Borkar
Chair
OSU Board of Trustees

Alexander also issued his own video message to the OSU community Wednesday night.

"I hear and feel your heart and your anger," he said. "I hear and acknowledge that you feel I've betrayed you as your university president. I do take your words to heart."

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At the hearing, survivor Brenda Tracey spoke about how she’s lost faith in Alexander. 

"How did we go from a man willing to publicly apologize to me, to a man actively dodging responsibility and accountability for what may be the largest college sexual assault scandal we have ever seen in this country?” Tracey told the board. 

The Husch Blackwell report, released this month, details LSU’s handling of Title IX, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct issues in 2013, all while Alexander was president of that school.

Alexander spoke at the hearing, telling the board and public in attendance: "I am truly sorry here, for survivors and everywhere, for pain caused to you by this issue that has surfaced in the past couple of weeks.” 

Dozens of students, faculty and staff voiced their opinions on the president's performance, including OSU professor and union member Aurora Sherman.

"There has been plenty of time to familiarize himself with the resources on this campus and make a plan to correct the problems he now trumpets in, what is obviously a hurried attempt to inform himself, well after the news broke about his failures at LSU," she said.

Sagan Wallace, a librarian at OSU, criticized Alexander's apology for his past actions.

"What I heard from President Alexander was a tepid apology that relies on survivors to do the heavy lifting in restoring trust,” Wallace said. 

Sherman also criticized Alexander’s defense of his actions and his plan for the future. 

"When asked what Title IX meant to him, Alexander used his mother as a shield, but offered nothing meaningful in terms of the past issues or his plans for OSU,” Sherman said.