ECSU hires firm to review responses to sexual assaults

Dozens of students claim the school mishandled their cases

Eastern Connecticut State University has hired an outside firm to investigate its responses to sexual assaults on campus after multiple students shared anonymous stories online, claiming the school mishandled their cases.

Eastern Connecticut State University has hired an outside firm to investigate its responses to sexual assaults on campus after multiple students shared anonymous stories online, claiming the school mishandled their cases.

“We intend to cooperate fully with the independent firm so that an objective review can be conducted, and we will carefully consider their findings and recommendations to help us examine and evolve our programs,” ESCU President Elsa Núñez said in a notice to students. “We pledge to take any necessary actions to ensure the safety and well-being of our campus community.”

WNPR first reported the investigation Monday and linked it to an Instagram page, Rape Survivors Support, which states it is run by a survivor of rape at ECSU.

In late March, the page compiled and made public a document of nearly 20 pages, entitled “ECSU Has A Rape Problem: The Stories You Asked For.” There, dozens of members of the school community discussed their experiences reporting sexual assaults to the university or the police, or shared why they felt unsafe doing so. They also sent messages of support to one another.

Several days after the document’s creation, Núñez said in the notice to students: “We believe that recent complaints require our immediate attention.”

“Therefore, the University has engaged with an independent leading national firm to examine our Title IX practices and procedures,” she wrote. “While we are confident in our compliance, we are committed to ensuring that we are doing everything we can to protect survivors.”

The university confirmed Tuesday that it had hired TNGConsulting for the job, a risk management firm known for its work with colleges and universities, as well as K-12 schools.

COURANTFILE PHOTO Eastern Connecticut State University President Elsa Núñez congratulates former Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network President and CEO Jerry Franklin after he received an honorary doctorate at the university’s 2016 commencement at the XL Center in Hartford. Núñez announced last month the university has hired an outside firm to investigate its handling of sexual assault complaints.