President Michael H. Schill has released a statement on a recent meeting regarding the University of Oregon’s approach to dealing with incidents of sexual violence and misconduct.

“Friday afternoon, key members of our leadership team and I had an opportunity to meet with Sen. Ron Wyden, members of his staff, Brenda Tracy and attorney Jacqueline Swanson about the university’s approach to dealing with incidents of sexual violence and misconduct. The university is grateful for the opportunity to speak directly to the senator and discuss in detail the complexities that surround these kinds of issues.

While there were certainly some tough questions, it was a productive dialogue, and I greatly appreciate the senator and Ms. Tracy’s commitment to fighting sexual assault on campus. We share that commitment and strive every day to meet the needs of survivors and reporters.

I came to the University of Oregon immediately after a well-publicized incident involving the alleged sexual assault of one of our students. I pledged to our community that I would do everything in my power to combat sexual violence at our school. Over the past three years – with the support and hard work of the University Senate Task Force on Sexual Violence and a cadre of committed administrators, faculty and students – the University of Oregon has created innovative prevention programs and an effective Title IX enforcement mechanism that is best-in-class. 

I am proud of our achievements in this area but I am far from satisfied. Our procedures and our programs can always get better. We look forward to working with Sen. Wyden, Ms. Tracy and others to do just that.”